KR Austrian Expansion—the Holy Roman Empire

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Why make this mod?

In Kaiserreich, the greatest mod for Hearts of Iron IV, Austria — as a victorious power of the Great War — possesses a long and rich history: its ruling house, the Habsburgs, once ruled from Vienna over the vast heart of Europe: the Holy Roman Empire, dominating Europe as the sole Emperor of Christendom for centuries. Yet in KR, Austria's focus tree and narrative remain centered solely around the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In this magnificent alternate history, this is undoubtedly somewhat disappointing. Therefore, this mod adds a path for KR Austria to re-establish the Holy Roman Empire. Players (or the AI) can meet the conditions by controlling several core regions of the old Holy Roman Empire, form the Holy Roman Empire, undertake a series of reforms, gain cores/claims on nearly all territories it once ruled, and subsequently integrate these claimed lands.

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MOD Overview

2026.8.9 Update: The Holy Roman Empire Focus Tree is now implemented — Reforge the Empire's Glory!

After rebuilding the Holy Roman Empire, you will need to carry out comprehensive reforms across various aspects of the Empire, primarily including diplomacy (factions and legitimacy), internal affairs (laws, policies, etc.), and economy (industry, technology, finance). These reforms are aimed at resolving the Empire's fragmented and disintegrating state upon its re-establishment, and guiding it toward glory...

Discover the specific effects through gameplay...

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Dispel the Shadow of Austro-Prussian War

The disgrace of the Battle of Königgrätz in 1866 still haunts the Austrian soul. Vienna's scepter was seized by a northern upstart; the Habsburg eagle was trampled under the Hohenzollern iron cross; and the dream of Greater Germany remained but a phantom. Yet now, the German Empire faces threats from Russia and the Commune of France, while Austria has emerged from its own national struggles. Perhaps we should declare the Peace of Prague and all its subsequent provisions null and void, and make one final bid for Greater Germany against the House of Hohenzollern.

*Austria may declare war on Germany via a decision during the Second World War, to unify Greater Germany.

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Re-establish the Holy Roman Empire

Under the leadership of Kaiser Karl, the Austro-Hungarian Empire has finally resolved its long-standing internal national divisions. Taking advantage of Germany's vulnerability to threats from Russia and France, Austria declared the Peace of Prague of 1866 and all its subsequent provisions null and void, and defeated the German Empire in the Second World War. Yet unexpectedly, Kaiser Karl seems unsatisfied with the ideal of Greater Germany. He has proclaimed in Vienna's Heldenplatz the reclamation of the Holy Roman Empire, the ancient inheritance of the House of Habsburg. The Imperial Army, which has won victory after victory since the Danube Crisis, supports this move; however, the populace remains indifferent. What will happen next is anyone's guess...

*Austria is renamed to the "Holy Roman Empire" and receives a new, exquisite double-headed eagle flag. Immediately gains claims over Germany, Bohemia (Czechia), Switzerland, Northern Italy, the German Low Countries, and the ancient Kingdom of Burgundy. *The Holy Roman Empire will suffer severe penalties to stability, consumer goods factor, and factory output due to the national spirit "The Unstable Empire". These penalties must be reduced through the Holy Roman Empire focus tree, ultimately transforming into a powerful positive effect.

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Reclaim the Imperial Territories

After re-establishing the Holy Roman Empire and completing the focus "European Hegemonism", the Empire may use decisions to declare war on nations occupying its claimed regions, to reclaim the territories of the Holy Roman Empire, including: Germany, Bohemia, Switzerland, Northern Italy, the German Low Countries, and the ancient Kingdom of Burgundy.

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Re-establish Imperial Bureaucracy

After reclaiming the Empire's claimed territories, the Empire may use decisions to establish administrative bureaucracies in these regions. Each established administration will allow the Empire to gain cores on the region once compliance reaches a certain threshold, and will reduce the negative effects of "The Unstable Empire" by one stage, ultimately transforming it into a powerful positive effect.

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Holy, Roman, and Imperial

"Voltaire once mocked it as 'neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.' But under the leadership of Kaiser Karl, all such mockery has faded. An indisputable and legitimate Empire now rules the heart of Europe. The Emperor is the Defender of the Church, sovereign over all Germans and Romans; its borders stretch from the North Sea to the Mediterranean, from the Rhine to the Danube. The ancient spirit of the Golden Bull has been reborn, and the scepters of the Electors are once again honored throughout the land. Now, the Empire is not only the supreme guardian of European order, but also the ultimate guarantee of peace and stability."

Discover the specific effects through gameplay...

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Compatibility?

• In principle, this mod will not conflict with most other mods. However, to be safe, please place this mod below Kaiserreich in your playset.

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More content in development...

Friendly Mod Link: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3763882514

If you like my mod, please give it a thumbs up, thank you nya~