Interesting timeline, although you do seem to disregard Bosnians in your discussions about Yugoslavia.
Austria: Never Forget Thy Past
- Thread starter ImperialVienna
- Start date
Oh the Bosnians will get grumpy and revolty soon enough. They just aren't as grumpy because the most of the areas they live in have descent sized Serb populations so the new government stance hasn't bother them too much. But errm, if the Slovenes, Croats, and Ethnic Albanians begin revolting, it's liking the Bosnians will too.
A Boiling Cauldron
(January 11, 1923 – December 25, 1924)
January 11, 1923
French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr Valley, the industrial heart of Germany, claiming it is in response to Germany’s failure to pay war indemnities. Actually however it is fueled by France’s desire to destroy German industrial power, crippling the nation for the foreseeable future. Inflation in Germany skyrockets.
January 28, 1923
Portuguese Monarchists besiege the capital city of Lisbon, the last strong hold of Republican forces.
February 16, 1923
Portuguese Monarchists capture Lisbon, proclaiming Manuel II once again King of Portugal.
February 21, 1923
Manuel II is crowned in Lisbon. The ceremony is attended by various Heads of State and dignitaries, including Archduchess Zita and the young Archduke Franz Joseph II.
March 9, 1923
Vladimir Lenin, the Soviet Head of State has his third stroke. He withdraws from day to day governing as a result.
April 6, 1923
Protests in Yugoslavia erupt as government Pro-Serb mentality reaches an all time high. In the North, Slovenia and Croatia are rocked by riots while in Kosovo, the ethnic Albanian population breaks out into full revolt.
April 10, 1923
Following the failure of the Yugoslavian army to crush riots in Slovenia, Croatia, and Kosovo, Bosniaks in Bosnia begin revolting. Serbs living throughout the country, but especially in Bosnia and Kosovo, begin fleeing en mass either to Serbia proper, or out of the country.
June 23, 1923
In Hungary, Miklós Horthy orders troops to the borders with Austria, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Romania. Horthy then steps up territorial rhetoric over “traditional Parts of Hungary.” His long term goal is obviously to unite what he terms “Greater Hungary,” while his short term goal is to reoccupy traditional parts of Hungary in Yugoslavia, including Croatia, following the two months of anarchy in most of the Southern Slavic Kingdom.
July 4, 1923
The Bohemian National Party formally announces their desire to unify with the Archduchy of Austria. Archduchess Zita and the Austrian government, while delighted at the turn of events, make no public comment on them so as not to offend the Czechoslovakian government.
August 2, 1923
American President Warren G. Harding dies while on tour in California. Vice President William Sproul takes the oath of office the next day in Washington DC. Rumors about Harding’s death being an assassination over corruption of his official persist for decades.
August 11, 1923
Queen Augusta of Portugal gives birth to a son. Manuel II initially does not proclaim the child his successor for fear of the reaction by Miguelists.
August 18, 1923
King Manuel II, having been assured that following the Civil War, most Portuguese Monarchists loyalties lay with him, his strips his former heir Duarte Nuno of his title and political power. Duarte Nuno fails at an attempt to oust Manuel and flees to Brazil as a result.
August 20, 1923
King Manuel II of Portugal proclaims his new born son, Filipe(Eng. Philip), his heir and gives him the title Duke of Braganza.
September 6, 1923
The Italian Military, acting on the orders of Benito Mussolini, occupy the Greek island of Cofu.
September 8, 1923
The Greek Army lands on Cofu and forcibly retakes the island; the whole of the Italian occupation force is either killed or captured as prisons of war.
September 10, 1923
All out war is averted when another, larger Italian landing is forced to turn back by the British Navy, which had been asked to do so by the Greek Monarchy. Italian relations with the former Allies disappear.
September 26, 1923
Law and order once again break down in Germany where Fascists in Bavaria attempt to declare independence from Germany. The “independence movement” is crushed; however riots once again break out as a result in other parts of Germany.
October 4, 1923
The International Police Conference is held in Vienna. Interpol is established, headquartered in the ancient city.
November 8, 1923
A group of Fascists calling themselves Nationalists Socialists led by Adolf Hitler attempt to over throw the German government starting from a Beer Hall in Munich. Hitler and many of his cohorts are arrested and thrown in jail.
November 15, 1923
Massive hyperinflation causes yet another round of mass protest throughout Germany. The Government responds by abolishing the old currency.
January 21, 1924
In the USSR, Lenin dies of a fourth stroke. After a heated fight over succession Joseph Stalin takes the reigns of power and begins to quietly purge any and all rivals.
February 2, 1924
After nearly six months of backroom negotiations, France and Britain withdraw their support for military restrictions on Austria. While not formally ending the post Great War restrictions, their effective support for Austria against an increasingly aggressive Hungary means Austria can rearm without fear of repercussions.
February 26, 1924
The National and Crown Diets authorize the Monarchy to deploy troops to the Austro-Hungarian border, and to retaliate with force should the Hungarian Regent try to cross it. The Hungarians will not attempt any moves against Austrians in the end, largely due to the fact that their forces were spread too few and too far to effectively fight a enemy that could just retreat to the Alps if all else failed.
March 9, 1924
Italy, seizing on the chaos in Yugoslavia, storms the former Austrian Naval center of Fiume.
March 11, 1924
Hungary, seeing Italy’s success at Fiume, storms the border into Croatia. Regent Horthy declares that Hungary will restore the Croats to their proper place in the world, meaning as part of Hungary.
March 25, 1924
The Greek Parliament, with the support of the military, oust King Constantine I whose policies had become increasingly unpopular. The Legislature offers the crown first to Prince Nicholas, who having no desire to be King, turns it down. The Crown is then accepted by Greco-Turkish war hero, Prince Andrew, who led the successful siege of Ankara.
March 30, 1924
Greece crowns King Andrew I as a limited constitutional monarch.
April 6, 1924
Fascists gain 2/3’s of the Italian Parliament after they call for strengthen of Italy presence in the world, pointing to the failed invasion of Cofu as a sign of weakness.
May 22, 1924
The Hungarians are expelled from Croatia by a combination of the nationalistic militia, the Croatian Independence Army and the Yugoslavian Army, not working in conjunction.
August 18, 1924
Under mounting international pressure, France and Belgium begin withdrawing their troops from Germany.
September 6, 1924
Archduchess Marie Valerie, the youngest daughter of Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria, dies in Vienna. She is given a full state funeral and buried in the Imperial Crypt near her father and mother.
November 4, 1924
The United States holds Presidential elections, with President Sproul seeking a second term. He is opposed by the Democratic ticket of Davis/Smith and the Progressive ticket headed by Robert M. La Follete Sr. Sproul picks popular Great War General “Black Jack” Pershing as his running mate. The Sproul/Pershing ticket easily defeats the Democrats and Progressives. Newly passed legislation granting Native Americans the right to vote aids the Republicans in capturing Oklahoma, while Pershing’s military record during the Great War helps the GOP infiltrate the Solid South when the Republicans, to the Democrats shock and horror, take not only Virginia but also Texas. La Follete wins his home state of Wisconsin.
December 25, 1924
It has been five years since the Restoration of the Habsburgs occurred in Austria.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Cheese Doodles?
(January 11, 1923 – December 25, 1924)
January 11, 1923
French and Belgian troops occupy the Ruhr Valley, the industrial heart of Germany, claiming it is in response to Germany’s failure to pay war indemnities. Actually however it is fueled by France’s desire to destroy German industrial power, crippling the nation for the foreseeable future. Inflation in Germany skyrockets.
January 28, 1923
Portuguese Monarchists besiege the capital city of Lisbon, the last strong hold of Republican forces.
February 16, 1923
Portuguese Monarchists capture Lisbon, proclaiming Manuel II once again King of Portugal.
February 21, 1923
Manuel II is crowned in Lisbon. The ceremony is attended by various Heads of State and dignitaries, including Archduchess Zita and the young Archduke Franz Joseph II.
March 9, 1923
Vladimir Lenin, the Soviet Head of State has his third stroke. He withdraws from day to day governing as a result.
April 6, 1923
Protests in Yugoslavia erupt as government Pro-Serb mentality reaches an all time high. In the North, Slovenia and Croatia are rocked by riots while in Kosovo, the ethnic Albanian population breaks out into full revolt.
April 10, 1923
Following the failure of the Yugoslavian army to crush riots in Slovenia, Croatia, and Kosovo, Bosniaks in Bosnia begin revolting. Serbs living throughout the country, but especially in Bosnia and Kosovo, begin fleeing en mass either to Serbia proper, or out of the country.
June 23, 1923
In Hungary, Miklós Horthy orders troops to the borders with Austria, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, and Romania. Horthy then steps up territorial rhetoric over “traditional Parts of Hungary.” His long term goal is obviously to unite what he terms “Greater Hungary,” while his short term goal is to reoccupy traditional parts of Hungary in Yugoslavia, including Croatia, following the two months of anarchy in most of the Southern Slavic Kingdom.
July 4, 1923
The Bohemian National Party formally announces their desire to unify with the Archduchy of Austria. Archduchess Zita and the Austrian government, while delighted at the turn of events, make no public comment on them so as not to offend the Czechoslovakian government.
August 2, 1923
American President Warren G. Harding dies while on tour in California. Vice President William Sproul takes the oath of office the next day in Washington DC. Rumors about Harding’s death being an assassination over corruption of his official persist for decades.
August 11, 1923
Queen Augusta of Portugal gives birth to a son. Manuel II initially does not proclaim the child his successor for fear of the reaction by Miguelists.
August 18, 1923
King Manuel II, having been assured that following the Civil War, most Portuguese Monarchists loyalties lay with him, his strips his former heir Duarte Nuno of his title and political power. Duarte Nuno fails at an attempt to oust Manuel and flees to Brazil as a result.
August 20, 1923
King Manuel II of Portugal proclaims his new born son, Filipe(Eng. Philip), his heir and gives him the title Duke of Braganza.
September 6, 1923
The Italian Military, acting on the orders of Benito Mussolini, occupy the Greek island of Cofu.
September 8, 1923
The Greek Army lands on Cofu and forcibly retakes the island; the whole of the Italian occupation force is either killed or captured as prisons of war.
September 10, 1923
All out war is averted when another, larger Italian landing is forced to turn back by the British Navy, which had been asked to do so by the Greek Monarchy. Italian relations with the former Allies disappear.
September 26, 1923
Law and order once again break down in Germany where Fascists in Bavaria attempt to declare independence from Germany. The “independence movement” is crushed; however riots once again break out as a result in other parts of Germany.
October 4, 1923
The International Police Conference is held in Vienna. Interpol is established, headquartered in the ancient city.
November 8, 1923
A group of Fascists calling themselves Nationalists Socialists led by Adolf Hitler attempt to over throw the German government starting from a Beer Hall in Munich. Hitler and many of his cohorts are arrested and thrown in jail.
November 15, 1923
Massive hyperinflation causes yet another round of mass protest throughout Germany. The Government responds by abolishing the old currency.
January 21, 1924
In the USSR, Lenin dies of a fourth stroke. After a heated fight over succession Joseph Stalin takes the reigns of power and begins to quietly purge any and all rivals.
February 2, 1924
After nearly six months of backroom negotiations, France and Britain withdraw their support for military restrictions on Austria. While not formally ending the post Great War restrictions, their effective support for Austria against an increasingly aggressive Hungary means Austria can rearm without fear of repercussions.
February 26, 1924
The National and Crown Diets authorize the Monarchy to deploy troops to the Austro-Hungarian border, and to retaliate with force should the Hungarian Regent try to cross it. The Hungarians will not attempt any moves against Austrians in the end, largely due to the fact that their forces were spread too few and too far to effectively fight a enemy that could just retreat to the Alps if all else failed.
March 9, 1924
Italy, seizing on the chaos in Yugoslavia, storms the former Austrian Naval center of Fiume.
March 11, 1924
Hungary, seeing Italy’s success at Fiume, storms the border into Croatia. Regent Horthy declares that Hungary will restore the Croats to their proper place in the world, meaning as part of Hungary.
March 25, 1924
The Greek Parliament, with the support of the military, oust King Constantine I whose policies had become increasingly unpopular. The Legislature offers the crown first to Prince Nicholas, who having no desire to be King, turns it down. The Crown is then accepted by Greco-Turkish war hero, Prince Andrew, who led the successful siege of Ankara.
March 30, 1924
Greece crowns King Andrew I as a limited constitutional monarch.
April 6, 1924
Fascists gain 2/3’s of the Italian Parliament after they call for strengthen of Italy presence in the world, pointing to the failed invasion of Cofu as a sign of weakness.
May 22, 1924
The Hungarians are expelled from Croatia by a combination of the nationalistic militia, the Croatian Independence Army and the Yugoslavian Army, not working in conjunction.
August 18, 1924
Under mounting international pressure, France and Belgium begin withdrawing their troops from Germany.
September 6, 1924
Archduchess Marie Valerie, the youngest daughter of Kaiser Franz Joseph I of Austria, dies in Vienna. She is given a full state funeral and buried in the Imperial Crypt near her father and mother.
November 4, 1924
The United States holds Presidential elections, with President Sproul seeking a second term. He is opposed by the Democratic ticket of Davis/Smith and the Progressive ticket headed by Robert M. La Follete Sr. Sproul picks popular Great War General “Black Jack” Pershing as his running mate. The Sproul/Pershing ticket easily defeats the Democrats and Progressives. Newly passed legislation granting Native Americans the right to vote aids the Republicans in capturing Oklahoma, while Pershing’s military record during the Great War helps the GOP infiltrate the Solid South when the Republicans, to the Democrats shock and horror, take not only Virginia but also Texas. La Follete wins his home state of Wisconsin.
December 25, 1924
It has been five years since the Restoration of the Habsburgs occurred in Austria.
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Cheese Doodles?
Valdemar II
Banned
Just one comment, if I remember correctly the Serbs was in majority in Bosnia-Herzegovina before WWII which will make Bosnian rebellion unlikely or limited.
Abdul Hadi Pasha
Banned
My issue with this TL is that you really haven't addressed the very serious reasons people had for ditching the Hapsburgs, so it makes this a little fantasy-like. A slightly different departure speech doesn't seem likely to change the outcome this much. Karl didn't actually abdicate, BTW, he just renounced his role in state affairs.
Also, you're not addressing the very slim chance that the Entente is going to go along with this, when it would be so easy to put an end to.
Also, you're not addressing the very slim chance that the Entente is going to go along with this, when it would be so easy to put an end to.
Austria feels that if the Slovenes want to join to Austria then they will do so on their terms, the Habsburgs have decided it is best to let people decide whom they want ruling them, to prevent a repeat of post WWI
Even if the Serbs have a majority in Bosnia, I can't imagine its a huge one, and even if it is, it doesn't mean the Bosnian wouldn't begin to revolt.
Warren G. Harding picked Pennsylvania Governor William Sproul as his running mate not Coolidge. Thus after Harding die Sproul takes office and different election.
More or less OTL, they're just up in the Nordlands chillin.
I am aware Karl didn't abdicate seeing as that would be the POD, I didn't pick the name ImperialVienna out of a hat you know...
And I'm sorry I don't specifically address your other issues but the purpose of this TL originally was to create an Austrian Monarchy that survived to the present, that entailed changing certain ideas and beliefs in history. If things didn't switch somewhat then it wouldn't be alternate history.
Oweno
Banned
But why does he pick Sproul. Why wouldnt he still pick coolidge. An Austrian Monarch wouldn't really effect Presidental Politics.
With oneliners like this, no wonder everybody wants the habsburgs back!
on another point, i'm really enjoying this timeline, keep up the good work
Call it a butterfly from the recognization of the Archduchy of Austria made by the Wilson Administration. Honestly I just wanted a Pennsylvanian in the White, cause the one was more or less Andrew Jackson's puppet
DankeWith oneliners like this, no wonder everybody wants the habsburgs back!
on another point, i'm really enjoying this timeline, keep up the good work