WI: Oxford kills Albert and Victoria?

What if, and I know its a stretch, Edward Oxford had managed to kill both Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in 1840? None of her children would have been born, (Victoria was born in November of 1840, the attempt took place in June) and since her predecessor had no heirs, I think it would pass to Ernest Augustus of Hanover, and then, when he dies, his son George the Fifth, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_V_of_Hanover ) would take control. I may be wrong about the succession, but what would the overall effects of the assassination be?
 
Poor old Bismark might have trouble annexing a Hanover in a personal union with the British Empire.

Unified Germany was a federal state, y'know. Prussia didn't just annex everything. All the Kings kept their thrones, except the King of Hannover. If Ernst is amiable, we could see Hannover join the German empire. After all, a personal union implies a shared monarch, nothing more. No shared government. It'd be even more tenable if there is an Anglo-German alliance.
 
Unified Germany was a federal state, y'know. Prussia didn't just annex everything. All the Kings kept their thrones, except the King of Hannover. If Ernst is amiable, we could see Hannover join the German empire. After all, a personal union implies a shared monarch, nothing more. No shared government. It'd be even more tenable if there is an Anglo-German alliance.

I would look again at your history. Several German states allied with Austria to resist the Prussians in the Austro-Prussian War. The Hanoverians did well winning the Battle of Langensalza.

The personal union with Hanover in the previous century had am impact on drawing Britain into continental wars and commitments before. Can you see the British people or government standing for a monarch who bends the knee to a Prussian King/Emperor? No chance.

That's not to say that a 19th century British Government might find a way to separate itself and its monarchy from Hanover to avoid just such a scenario (I just can't think what that might be yet).
 
I would look again at your history. Several German states allied with Austria to resist the Prussians in the Austro-Prussian War. The Hanoverians did well winning the Battle of Langensalza.

The personal union with Hanover in the previous century had am impact on drawing Britain into continental wars and commitments before. Can you see the British people or government standing for a monarch who bends the knee to a Prussian King/Emperor? No chance.

That's not to say that a 19th century British Government might find a way to separate itself and its monarchy from Hanover to avoid just such a scenario (I just can't think what that might be yet).

Yeah, those who sided with Austria found themselves swallowed up--except Saxony. It sided with Austria but wasn't annexed. I believe Hesse may have been spared too.

The 18th century is different from the 19th. Governments were becoming more sophisticated, and a personal union would imply a shared monarch yet seperate governments. Austria-Hungary is a good example. Franz Josef was Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, yet the two states had their own seperate Parliaments and only a unified foreign service and some others IIRC.

Bavaria joined the German Empire with many concessions: that included keeping their own army, postal service, ect. No doubt the King of Britain would garner many more concessions if they wanted Hannover in the empire.
 
Unified Germany was a federal state, y'know. Prussia didn't just annex everything. All the Kings kept their thrones, except the King of Hannover. If Ernst is amiable, we could see Hannover join the German empire. After all, a personal union implies a shared monarch, nothing more. No shared government. It'd be even more tenable if there is an Anglo-German alliance.

Well Ernest Augustus spent lived in Britain for a long time, much to Wellington's disapproval and was quite unpopular. Also Ernest Augustus was quite interested in retaining the union between Hanover and Great Britain, so I imagine Hanover would remain a British controlled territory.

In regards to how Ernest Augustus would rule, the British may have simply not allowed him to take the throne, given how hated he was in London. Apparently there were several movements to disavow him of his ability to take the British throne because of his actions as King of Hanover, suspending the Constitution and all. Besides that, he was noted as being against Catholic rights in Ireland.
 
Well Ernest Augustus spent lived in Britain for a long time, much to Wellington's disapproval and was quite unpopular. Also Ernest Augustus was quite interested in retaining the union between Hanover and Great Britain, so I imagine Hanover would remain a British controlled territory.

In regards to how Ernest Augustus would rule, the British may have simply not allowed him to take the throne, given how hated he was in London. Apparently there were several movements to disavow him of his ability to take the British throne because of his actions as King of Hanover, suspending the Constitution and all. Besides that, he was noted as being against Catholic rights in Ireland.

He was very notoriously popular, yes. But if Victoria died without an heir, nothing is stopping him from the throne. The establishment would support him. I remember him inviting Albert to walk in the garden with him: Albert was not inclined given how the people would yell at him. Ernst stated: "Ah, but they hated me much more when I lived here than they hate you!" Or something of that sort.
 
Apparently his son was an absolutist and an autocrat, so imagining the reign of George V of TTL may be one of dystopic proportions. Me likey.
 
Any other thoughts on the rule of King Ernest? He would have ruled from 1840 until 1851. So thats 11 years of butterflies.
 
Given how unpopular he was I can actually see a 1848 revolution actualy suceeding, with the mob demanding the removal of the King not Parliment (this has always been the issue with popular revolts in the UK they need to over throw 2 sources of power - in this case I can see Parliment not standing in the way of the mob).

I still believe that Britain will remain a monarcy, but with a cadet branch being promoted. The Duke of Cambridge (Ernsts younger brother) seems much more popular prehapse him or his son would serve?

Edit: Given how the British Parliment has interferred in the sucession before what are the chances they would option for Duke of Cambridge rather than King of Hanover in the first place?
 
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Unified Germany was a federal state, y'know. Prussia didn't just annex everything. All the Kings kept their thrones, except the King of Hannover. If Ernst is amiable, we could see Hannover join the German empire. After all, a personal union implies a shared monarch, nothing more. No shared government. It'd be even more tenable if there is an Anglo-German alliance.

Ha! :D

Oh, you were serious. Hahahahahahahaha!!!
 
Given how unpopular he was I can actually see a 1848 revolution actualy suceeding, with the mob demanding the removal of the King not Parliment (this has always been the issue with popular revolts in the UK they need to over throw 2 sources of power - in this case I can see Parliment not standing in the way of the mob).

I still believe that Britain will remain a monarcy, but with a cadet branch being promoted. The Duke of Cambridge (Ernsts younger brother) seems much more popular prehapse him or his son would serve?

Edit: Given how the British Parliment has interferred in the sucession before what are the chances they would option for Duke of Cambridge rather than King of Hanover in the first place?

That would be interesting, but considering that Victoria was the more legitimate heir, it would still leave Ernest as the rightful heir. That being said, 1848 could have him taken from the throne in favor of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, but considering his age, I feel they might have given it to his son, Prince George.
 
I personally just don't see why everyone assumes that Ernst as King as GB means an independent Hannover from Germany. Care to elaborate instead of being condescending? :)

I'm not saying it does, or doesn't.

But the idea that the OTL German empire was anything more than Über-Prussia is just silly, and historical whitewashing.
 
Ernest was so unpopular, he'd have the people seriously considering a resurrection of the old Commonwealth. I'd expect another assassination in short order.
 
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