Austro-Hungarian Empire After World War One

The Effects of World War One if the Austro-Hungarian Empire had Dissolved Prior to the Start of the War.

In the year 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed under a joint monarch rule. At the time Austria-Hungary was the second largest European nation following Russia. The scenario that is outlined below should primarily be recognized as a huge “what if?” It focuses on the effects of the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following the Second Balkan War. After the war, due to civil unrest, divided among territorial divisions, a referendum for independence was called for and eighteen territories declared their independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Eventually World War One was instigated by the Germans by invading Belgium

Since the nations were newly formed and their governments for the most part untried there were many issues that went unaddressed or were delayed for a later date. One of these issues was the defense of the nation. With young generals in command of young soldiers (almost every nation was in favor of conscription following German example by excluding those in University) each newly formed country was untested in regards to military. Even the countries of Austria and Hungary were affected as some of their military power was in the form of support from the outlying

Since the government were young and untested the abilities of the leaders were severely criticized at every turn. Every alliance, every single decision was widely criticized. Several nations fell into anarchy and several coups were attempted and two were successful. The governments that were stable were those that were widely established (Austria and Hungary.) This all changed when the Central Powers enacted Plan AH. The top secret Plan AH outlined the process of the invasion of through the dissolved Austro-Hungarian Empire and through parts of Serbia and Romania in order to reach Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. The plan called for the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria to invade parts of Romania and Serbia and enter Dalmatia, Bosnia, Croatia-Slavonia, and Hungary. The Germans were to invade Bohemia, Galicia, Moravia and Tirol before moving onto Hungary, meeting at Budapest with the combined forces of Bulgarians and the Ottomans. The Germans were hesitant at first since this would mean adding a third front to an already struggling army but they had no choice as Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were beginning to falter. The only reservations that the Bulgarians and the Ottomans had about the plan was the violation of the neutrality of those nations but since Germany had since ruined that precedent by invading Belgium at the beginning of the war they were easily pressured into doing so as