So, if Franz Joseph is assassinated in 1853 by a Magyar nationalist, and Maximilian takes the throne, could Hungarians see the assassination of Franz Joseph as a call for a new revolution?
I theorize that Maximilian, being a relatively liberal and politically savvy man, could recognize that Hungary is a conservative albatross that prevents Austria from modernizing.
Would he ever decide to allow Hungarian independence as a separate Hapsburg kingdom, on the condition that it remains Hapsburg (King Karl Ludwig, perhaps?), and that Austria retains Croatia?
What would be the reaction from Britain? Prussia? Russia?
France would probably seize this as an opportunity to strengthen its position in Italy, Prussia would propagate it's position in German, Britain would lend a crutch to Maximilian I as a counterbalance to Berlin, and the reactionary Nicholas I would oppose the whole thing, unless bribed with Galicia.
I theorize that Maximilian, being a relatively liberal and politically savvy man, could recognize that Hungary is a conservative albatross that prevents Austria from modernizing.
Would he ever decide to allow Hungarian independence as a separate Hapsburg kingdom, on the condition that it remains Hapsburg (King Karl Ludwig, perhaps?), and that Austria retains Croatia?
What would be the reaction from Britain? Prussia? Russia?
France would probably seize this as an opportunity to strengthen its position in Italy, Prussia would propagate it's position in German, Britain would lend a crutch to Maximilian I as a counterbalance to Berlin, and the reactionary Nicholas I would oppose the whole thing, unless bribed with Galicia.