WI: Napoleon defeated at Austerlitz

What if Napoleon Bonaparte had been defeated and captured at the Battle Of Austerlitz? Say, by a fatal mistake of his part or a saner command on the opposing part?
-What are the consequences for France? Would the country be invaded or capitulate before defeat? If the latter is probable, then what are the peace terms?
-What are the consequences for the Holy Roman Empire? Could such a victory buy some time for it, or was it too late for such a "rotting state" to be saved?
 
Well Napoleon still would have approx. parity between his forces and the Austro-Russians. It is late in the campaigning season so what would probably happen is that the Austrians and Russians would try to bring the Prussians into play in an 1806 campaign. The Austrians might try to pressurise the French position in Italy but I doubt it. Effectively you would have rerun of the 1813 campaign after the armistice and pre-Leipzig in 1806. The French position would be better though and unless Napoleon has permanently contracted the idiot virus I'd fancy his chances in any 1806 campaign.

Note in the long term this butterflies the Spanish campaign.

The chances of an interim compromise peace in 1807 or so which may leave the French with the Rhine border, Belgium, possibly Holland and some of their Italian gains is quite high in my opinion but it won't last.

With the French behind the Rhine there really isn't any momentum for a break up of the Holy Roman Empire and I can't see the Allies agreeing any changes.
 
It's important to remember where Austerlitz was. He was deeeeep into enemy territory. So, the immediate effect of a loss is...well, it will require more Berezina type brilliance to just get out alive.
 
POD calls for Napoleon out of the picture through capture. That means there will be a scramble in France over who gets to be the new ruler of the empire. Doubtful it goes peacefully. One of the brothers will likely make a play, but may not be able to get military backing.

Also, Spain has been itching to get out from under the French yoke. They almost switched sides the following year, but a quick demolition of Prussia kept them in check. With this change of fate and Nap gone, they will move forward with switching sides, putting France into a 2 front situation.

Portuguese crown isn't forced to relocate to Brazil.

With this POD, the entire world changes. there are butterflies galore.
 
POD calls for Napoleon out of the picture through capture. That means there will be a scramble in France over who gets to be the new ruler of the empire. Doubtful it goes peacefully. One of the brothers will likely make a play, but may not be able to get military backing.

Also, Spain has been itching to get out from under the French yoke. They almost switched sides the following year, but a quick demolition of Prussia kept them in check. With this change of fate and Nap gone, they will move forward with switching sides, putting France into a 2 front situation.

Portuguese crown isn't forced to relocate to Brazil.

With this POD, the entire world changes. there are butterflies galore.

Sorry, I missed the captured part. My next question would be about his Marshals. Who/if they get out plays a rather large role in what happens next.
 
even if Nap isn't captured, this POD changes one of his greatest victories into his first real defeat. One thing about Nap is that his plans depended on audacious moves. In this case, he left a gaping hole which was only barely filled in time by one of his generals. had that general been delayed, his plans would have possibly led to defeat. You see this over and over again. So, if he's led into defeat by being too audacious, he is seriously discredited, and if he stays in power, will likely have to tone down his tenacity, which diminishes his ability to succeed, which hastens the disillusionment setting in.
 
For him to be defeated is one thing, but to be captured may be stretching it a bit. Generals don't get captured that often. It usually requires some kind of major blunder which Napoleon I (in contrast to his nephew!) seems unlikely to make.
 
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