German Union after the Prague Conference (1867)

This map illustrates shows the outcome of territorial changes following a war between France an the Prussia-dominated North German states in 1867 due to the Luxemburg Crisis. The underlying assumption is that France does not experience the same decline in its population growth in the 19th century and instead has a development more akin to that of its other Eurpean peers such as Germany, Britain or Italy.

Following the decicive victory of the French Empire in 1867, the Prussians are forced to sue for peace. Their saving grace is that no other great power wanted to see France become too mighty, so there is a peace conference in neutral Prague.

The major effects of the Prague Conference were:

1. France was limited in its expansion and should not become the single dominant power in Europe. The other major powers, especially Britain, strongly opposed complete French annexation of the Rhineland. Therefore the French Empire only annexed Luxemburg and some border areas around Saarbrücken and Trier.

2. The balance of Power within Germany was more or less restored and the Peace of Prague from 1866 was annulled. The German Union ("Deutscher Bund") was restored and included Austria. All monarchs whom Prussia had dethroned in 1866 were restored, although not necessarily within the esaxt same borders.

3. The Slesvig-Holstein Question was "solved" by giving them back to French allied Denmark under personal unions but within the German Union. Their place within the German Union is guaranteed by Austria and Prussia, which ensures that they will never be incorporated into Denmark-proper. Meanwhile their rule by the King of Denmark is guaranteed by France, ensuring they will remain under the House of Glücksburg.

4. Prussia retained a direct land connection between its western and eastern parts. At the same time it was forced to hand over rule over much of the Rhineland (officially the United Duchy of Rhein-Jülich-Berg) and the lands in Sigmaringen to the Catholic branch of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (the same branch that almost had a member become King of Spain in 1870 historically). This split obviously weakens Prussia a lot, especially since the new monarch is closely related to one of Napoleon I's top generals and was generally more liberal than was usual for Prussian aristocrats.

Feel free to ask questions, as there's still a bunch of smaller border changes not covered in the main points. What I'm wondering about is how this version of Europe would continue after such an event? The french Empire stands strong and is still the undisputed primary land power in Europe. A unified German state is nowhere close. Prussia is humbled and in no position to challenge the status quo. Austria still wants to keep Germany from becoming a nation state while still expanding influence in the Balkans. Russia still wants to re-arm its Back Sea fleet and challenge the Turks. France probably looks towards Belgium and building an overseas Empire for future expansion. The British still want to keep the balance of power.

will czechia become germanized by the 21st century?

whats up w the russo-prussian border?

Very nicely done!! Well-made, well thought out and interesting as usual!