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Originally Posted by Mapple
I see... It seems that Franz Karl was totally uninterested in becoming emperor, otherwise there would have been some erm... disturbance.
I've thought that it was Schwarzenberg who engineered the abdication of Ferdinand and ascencion of Franz Joseph, Metternich having been pressurised into resigning by then.
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You are correct. The abdication/succession plan was smoothly executed by Prince Schwarzenberg, with assistance from Archduchess Sophia.
"Windischgraetz, Jellacic, Schwarzenberg, all the Ministers, assembled in a great half-circle round poor Emperor Ferdinand and his devoted Marianna. Ferdinand announced his abdication. Then Schwarzenburg, his voice trembling, read Karl's statement, renouncing the throne, explaining that at this juncture a younger force was needed. Then they gave their homage to Franz Josef, and after that Ferdinand and Marianna went upstairs to pack."
The Fall of the House of Habsburg, Edward Crankshaw
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