Let's suppose this: by 1916 the new ruler of Austria-Hungary, Charles and other leaders of the double monarchy realise that the only way to save the country is by leaving the war. Well, I am sure many of them realised it but things did not work out in their favour. Now they do.
They negociate an armistice with Italy. Maybe give up some territory, like South Tirol and some of the Austrian littoral. But this is not too big of a price for saving the house of Habsburg. France and Russia will actually be happy with this. Russia is on the brink of revolution, the Germans have already given them some good thrashing at Tannanberg and other places. France realises that she is fighting for her own survival and some fresh Italian troops in France would go a long way in helpin the war effort. Germany loses her main ally, so the entente powers decide to spare the double monarchy.
The UK do not really have any serious matter to settle with the Habsburgs so they agree, the war is over for Austria-Hungary.
Serbia is basically left alone, already devastated by the Austro-Hungarian invasion, the big powers will not keep fighting Germany's main ally for the small Blakan country.
The monarchy will not attack the Germans though, because that is the whole point: avoid war. The Germans are outraged but they will not attack Austria-Hungary becase they already have their hands full on two fronts.
The course of war stays the same for Germany. They lose the war of attrition. They get punished at Versailles. And now they feel very much stabbed in the back. By their own socialists, and by their two former allies, Italy and Austria-Hungary.
In Germany history will play out as in OTL: economic crisis, hurt national feelings, nazis, Hitler, etc.
Austria-Hungary will carry through some minor reforms just enough to save the monarchy. The Magyars will not be particularly happy but they got a glimpse of a disintegrating monarchy and they want to stay part of a regional great power. So Austria-Hungary will become a bit like a federation, maybe they even change the name too.
Now, by the 30s Germany and Austria-Hungary realise that they have a big common problem: the Soviet Union. So after more than a decade of cold relations the colourful crowds of Vienna cheer on Hitler as he arrives in the Kaiserstadt to be received the Emperor Charles. They sign a military pactum and a zollverein agreement as well.
Later on Mussolini joins the club so its 1882 all over again. But this time Germans really do want that war. Hitler wants to punish the West, the Poles, the Russians, everybody. And this time he seems to have two major allies on his side. He does everything in his power to shakle them to his country. Germany once again has the largest economy in Europe so it is not too hard to gain influence in Italy and Austria-Hungary (? name) through various German businesses and investments.
The Habsburg realm seems to be a reasonably stable country now. There are nationalists and separatists in it but by means of modern propaganda, modest but stable economic growth the peoples of the realm are in agreement with each other and their Kaiser more than ever. Charles proved to be a shrewed politician and clever leader so we can say that he saved the more than thousand years old legacy of his ancestors.
1st of September 1939. Hitler invades Poland, and shortly after the invasion the UK and France declare war on Germany. Through secret pacts the Habsburgs are bound to back their ally so they declare war on the Allies. In 1940 Mussolini decides it was time to have some fun. So war is on. Big time. And this time the Habsburg realm is one of the major players in the second largest conflict the world has ever seen.
Okay... What do you think guys? Is the above plausible?
How would the war play out? What military, navy and airforce would the monarchy have? I am very much interested in your input. Maybe we could take the story a little further and see how things play out this time. Both for Europe and the Habsburg dinasty.
They negociate an armistice with Italy. Maybe give up some territory, like South Tirol and some of the Austrian littoral. But this is not too big of a price for saving the house of Habsburg. France and Russia will actually be happy with this. Russia is on the brink of revolution, the Germans have already given them some good thrashing at Tannanberg and other places. France realises that she is fighting for her own survival and some fresh Italian troops in France would go a long way in helpin the war effort. Germany loses her main ally, so the entente powers decide to spare the double monarchy.
The UK do not really have any serious matter to settle with the Habsburgs so they agree, the war is over for Austria-Hungary.
Serbia is basically left alone, already devastated by the Austro-Hungarian invasion, the big powers will not keep fighting Germany's main ally for the small Blakan country.
The monarchy will not attack the Germans though, because that is the whole point: avoid war. The Germans are outraged but they will not attack Austria-Hungary becase they already have their hands full on two fronts.
The course of war stays the same for Germany. They lose the war of attrition. They get punished at Versailles. And now they feel very much stabbed in the back. By their own socialists, and by their two former allies, Italy and Austria-Hungary.
In Germany history will play out as in OTL: economic crisis, hurt national feelings, nazis, Hitler, etc.
Austria-Hungary will carry through some minor reforms just enough to save the monarchy. The Magyars will not be particularly happy but they got a glimpse of a disintegrating monarchy and they want to stay part of a regional great power. So Austria-Hungary will become a bit like a federation, maybe they even change the name too.
Now, by the 30s Germany and Austria-Hungary realise that they have a big common problem: the Soviet Union. So after more than a decade of cold relations the colourful crowds of Vienna cheer on Hitler as he arrives in the Kaiserstadt to be received the Emperor Charles. They sign a military pactum and a zollverein agreement as well.
Later on Mussolini joins the club so its 1882 all over again. But this time Germans really do want that war. Hitler wants to punish the West, the Poles, the Russians, everybody. And this time he seems to have two major allies on his side. He does everything in his power to shakle them to his country. Germany once again has the largest economy in Europe so it is not too hard to gain influence in Italy and Austria-Hungary (? name) through various German businesses and investments.
The Habsburg realm seems to be a reasonably stable country now. There are nationalists and separatists in it but by means of modern propaganda, modest but stable economic growth the peoples of the realm are in agreement with each other and their Kaiser more than ever. Charles proved to be a shrewed politician and clever leader so we can say that he saved the more than thousand years old legacy of his ancestors.
1st of September 1939. Hitler invades Poland, and shortly after the invasion the UK and France declare war on Germany. Through secret pacts the Habsburgs are bound to back their ally so they declare war on the Allies. In 1940 Mussolini decides it was time to have some fun. So war is on. Big time. And this time the Habsburg realm is one of the major players in the second largest conflict the world has ever seen.
Okay... What do you think guys? Is the above plausible?
How would the war play out? What military, navy and airforce would the monarchy have? I am very much interested in your input. Maybe we could take the story a little further and see how things play out this time. Both for Europe and the Habsburg dinasty.