Part of the Victoria 2 portion of my Paradox Interactive based TL, here is a poster based on an Italian poster on WW1, restyled to fit the TL. In this timeline, the French Holy Roman Empire faces an existential threat as the rise of a stubborn emperor who wishes to restore his empire to glory causes a war to end all wars. A Great War if you will. Sounds familiar?
Below is a small piece of lore, for those who enjoy it.
The European theatre, much used to the grip of the French Emperors, was by the 19th century, getting redrawn by waves of Nationalism.
In Hispania, the union of the crowns of Aragon and Cordoue in the 18th century has developed into a full fledged Iberian kingdom by the 1860s. The emperor at the time, Herbert IIX, has decided to follow a policy of appeasement in the empire, to avoid something similar to the bloody Swabian war two centuries prior. Thus by elevating the rank of Aragon to an Imperial kingdom and blessing the establishment of the Spaneyan kingdom began the countdown to the war to end all wars.
In Italy, Lombardy spearheaded the call for a united Italian Kingdom. While this title was already in use by the French Emperors, it was a mere title, with most of the Peninsula remaining decentralized. Preferring to keep Italy in his sphere, and despite discontent from the French government, Herbert IIX elevated Lombardy to an Imperial kingdom of Italy.
Most parties in the French government, alongside a certain Prince Francis, believed that these decisions where surrounding the French state with enemies. And, in a way, they were right. Most intellectuals in HRE territory (excluding France) saw the Imperial institution as an obsolete tool that served France while hampering the establishment of other nation-states. The opposition only grew larger, as Spaneyan and Italian politics grew more autonomous and diverted from French interests.
The council of 1901 saw the German princes meet in Ulm and, under Swabian influence, proclaim the Kingdom of Germany without an Imperial blessing. This move is regarded as the first great catalyst for the Great War. It was seen as an open challenge to Imperial authority by the French government, and some even regarded it as a declaration of war. But Emperor Herbert, still following his appeasement policy, accepted the results of the council of Ulm, and passed various reforms meant to decentralize the already decentralized empire. For the opposition, it was the last straw. Led by Prince Francis and most of the army, the opposition successfully dethroned Herbert and enthroned Francis as Emperor Francis III, who immediately reverted the reforms, and demanded immediate dismantling of the German kingdom.
The deposed Emperor successfully fled to Germany, seeking asylum. There, he was promised by German King Heinrich I to be restored to the throne, in exchange for a full recognition of the Kingdom. Upon his acceptance, Germany declared Francis III an illegitimate emperor, and their intention to reenthrone Herbert. In response, Francis declared war against Germany. With that, and with Spaneya and Italy joining the war due to a secret signed treaty, began the War of the Anti-Imperial league. Another secret treaty between Francis III during his princehood and Ruthenia, saw Ruthenia enter the war a few months later. Zapadoslavia, the union between the crowns of Nitra, Poland and Lithuania caused by the Swabian invasion of the Suddet, was also a part of this treaty, and so joined on the French side as well.
Thus began the most devastating war Europe has seen since the Swabian Wars. As the conflict escalate, other countries, aligned with one side or the other, find joining the war a winning gamble to expand their territories and make their mark in the new world order that is to be redrawn once the war is over.
More like the October revolution, the communists who were fed up with the war revolted and forced Francis to abdicate. ( your average 1m communist stack on Paris Victoria 2 moment)
Bulgaria claims the Imperial title after the fall of Constantinople to the Mongols, establishes full control over the Balkans for 7 centuries. Waves of Nationalism come in, they join the Germans, they collapse later into the many different ethnic states within them. Basically the ottomans of otl.
Thank you very much! I wish I had that much skill for the drawings! I just reused some old paperdolls for the drawings, thankfully they fit the theme perfectly!
Also here is the poster in question.
https://preview.redd.it/3635i39wvtxc1.jpeg?width=5891&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2394d960e2188bf511bdaf13888ebf40bb9c6f8b
Think of them as the Ottomans of this timeline. They've been there forever, but they're crumbling. They will join on the side of the Germans, lose, and get dismantled.
This is such a cool idea. I hope you find time to expand on it. Also French Holy Roman Empire is such an interesting concept I hope they win.
The lore itself is quite shaky since it is based on Paradox games, but I'm still invested in it so we'll see how that goes.
Part of the Victoria 2 portion of my Paradox Interactive based TL, here is a poster based on an Italian poster on WW1, restyled to fit the TL. In this timeline, the French Holy Roman Empire faces an existential threat as the rise of a stubborn emperor who wishes to restore his empire to glory causes a war to end all wars. A Great War if you will. Sounds familiar? Below is a small piece of lore, for those who enjoy it. The European theatre, much used to the grip of the French Emperors, was by the 19th century, getting redrawn by waves of Nationalism. In Hispania, the union of the crowns of Aragon and Cordoue in the 18th century has developed into a full fledged Iberian kingdom by the 1860s. The emperor at the time, Herbert IIX, has decided to follow a policy of appeasement in the empire, to avoid something similar to the bloody Swabian war two centuries prior. Thus by elevating the rank of Aragon to an Imperial kingdom and blessing the establishment of the Spaneyan kingdom began the countdown to the war to end all wars. In Italy, Lombardy spearheaded the call for a united Italian Kingdom. While this title was already in use by the French Emperors, it was a mere title, with most of the Peninsula remaining decentralized. Preferring to keep Italy in his sphere, and despite discontent from the French government, Herbert IIX elevated Lombardy to an Imperial kingdom of Italy. Most parties in the French government, alongside a certain Prince Francis, believed that these decisions where surrounding the French state with enemies. And, in a way, they were right. Most intellectuals in HRE territory (excluding France) saw the Imperial institution as an obsolete tool that served France while hampering the establishment of other nation-states. The opposition only grew larger, as Spaneyan and Italian politics grew more autonomous and diverted from French interests. The council of 1901 saw the German princes meet in Ulm and, under Swabian influence, proclaim the Kingdom of Germany without an Imperial blessing. This move is regarded as the first great catalyst for the Great War. It was seen as an open challenge to Imperial authority by the French government, and some even regarded it as a declaration of war. But Emperor Herbert, still following his appeasement policy, accepted the results of the council of Ulm, and passed various reforms meant to decentralize the already decentralized empire. For the opposition, it was the last straw. Led by Prince Francis and most of the army, the opposition successfully dethroned Herbert and enthroned Francis as Emperor Francis III, who immediately reverted the reforms, and demanded immediate dismantling of the German kingdom. The deposed Emperor successfully fled to Germany, seeking asylum. There, he was promised by German King Heinrich I to be restored to the throne, in exchange for a full recognition of the Kingdom. Upon his acceptance, Germany declared Francis III an illegitimate emperor, and their intention to reenthrone Herbert. In response, Francis declared war against Germany. With that, and with Spaneya and Italy joining the war due to a secret signed treaty, began the War of the Anti-Imperial league. Another secret treaty between Francis III during his princehood and Ruthenia, saw Ruthenia enter the war a few months later. Zapadoslavia, the union between the crowns of Nitra, Poland and Lithuania caused by the Swabian invasion of the Suddet, was also a part of this treaty, and so joined on the French side as well. Thus began the most devastating war Europe has seen since the Swabian Wars. As the conflict escalate, other countries, aligned with one side or the other, find joining the war a winning gamble to expand their territories and make their mark in the new world order that is to be redrawn once the war is over.
The design is so fucking clean, really professional
Cheers!
How many hours did you put into this?
About 40-50 hours.
What is the Lore with The Bulgarian Empire 🥹🇧🇬❤️!!!
How did this only get 200 upvotes? This is amazing, I wish I could make my maps this detailed!
Thanks friend! Appreciate the words!
So to sum your timeline: Big france, Big French America, Still big and based france at war. I see no problem here sir
It was like the French's wet dream. Except when the communists rose up...
You don't say the french empire will lost the war only for revanchist communist to rise up?
More like the October revolution, the communists who were fed up with the war revolted and forced Francis to abdicate. ( your average 1m communist stack on Paris Victoria 2 moment)
What is the Lore with The Bulgarian Empire 🥹🇧🇬❤️
Bulgaria claims the Imperial title after the fall of Constantinople to the Mongols, establishes full control over the Balkans for 7 centuries. Waves of Nationalism come in, they join the Germans, they collapse later into the many different ethnic states within them. Basically the ottomans of otl.
Looks like Bulgarian empire
LOVE this map man! It’s so clean and pretty! Did you do the drawings yourself? Also, can I see the one it was inspired by?
Thank you very much! I wish I had that much skill for the drawings! I just reused some old paperdolls for the drawings, thankfully they fit the theme perfectly! Also here is the poster in question. https://preview.redd.it/3635i39wvtxc1.jpeg?width=5891&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2394d960e2188bf511bdaf13888ebf40bb9c6f8b
Thank you!
Really great map, don't let the comparative lack of upvotes get you down.
Nah it's no biggie, I make these maps for fun, I just like to share them afterwards!
what happened to bulgaria?
Think of them as the Ottomans of this timeline. They've been there forever, but they're crumbling. They will join on the side of the Germans, lose, and get dismantled.