1848-As in the OTL, revolution breaks out in France leading to the overthrow of the monarchy. This results in the Second Republic, and Louis Napoleon Bonaparte is elected President. However, here, he is not as pro-British as in the OTL.
1853-1856-Crimean War-same as in OTL, except that France stays neutral, and Austria comes on Russia's side towards the end of the war. This escalates tensions between Britain and Austria.
1859-Austro-Sardinian War. Unlike in OTL, France joins in on the side of Austria, leading to a consequent Sardinian defeat. This results in splitting most of non-peninsula Italy between France (which re-acquires the land there it got during the Napoleonic wars) and Austria (which keeps the land it had before). The rest of Italy (except for Naples and Sicily) is made into an Austrian puppet state known as the Kingdom of Italy.
1863-1868-Napoleon III sends troops from Mexico to help the Confederacy fight the United States. This happens because in this timeline (and unlike OTL), he does not think he needs British support to do so. Also, Lee wins at the Battle of Gettysburg (but subsequently fails to take Washington), persuading him even more. Despite French aid, this is not enough to help the South secede, so the CSA is reconquered in 1866. Union troops subsequently advance into French-controlled Mexico, and annex all of it.
1870-1871-Otto von Bismarck falls ill with pneumonia, and has to step down temporarily for a few months. During this time his position is taken by a less-experienced general. Instead of provoking France into war the way Bismarck did in OTL, this leader decides to invade and occupy the Kingdom of Baden. This alarms both Austria and France, and as a result, both declare war on Prussia, starting the Baden War, this timeline's version of the Franco-Prussian War but more drawn out, and to an extent, less of a conclusive victory for Prussia. When Bismarck became well enough to take office again he took the lead, putting Prussia on the road to victory. The war, however, was fought more on German and Austrian soil, so Paris was never captured, and Napoleon's government was able to stay in power. Nonetheless, this by no means hindered Germany's road to unification, and in the end, Austria, and subsequently France surrendered, allowing Germany to keep the territory that it conquered, and Wilhelm I was subsequently crowned emperor of the Germans in January 1872.
1872-US purchases Alaska from Russia.
1886-Napoleon III dies, and is succeeded by his son, Napoleon IV.
1888-1906-Emperor Friedrich does not die of pulmonary disease as in OTL, but rather reigns until 1906, strengthening ties significantly with Britain, and modeling the German government after the British system, making politics more balanced.
1898- Napoleon IV is later assassinated by a Swiss anarchist, and is succeeded by his son, Napoleon V. Also, a lot of the events in OTL that precipitated into the Spanish-American War (e.g., the sinking of the USS Maine) do not happen, suspending tensions between America and Spain until the eve of World War I.
1898-1900-The Fashoda War is fought between Britain and France over land around Sudan. It resulted from the Fashoda Incident in OTL. Although Britain technically won the land, victory was not very conclusive otherwise. Because Britain was busy fighting the French during this period, the Boer Republics were able to develop and unite, forming the South African Confederation (SAC). Furthermore, because of it loss, France initiated alliances with minor nations such as Ethiopia and the SAC. Britain, on the other hand, allies itself with Liberia and Siam.
1901-Queen Victoria of Britain dies. The Germans send their condolences. France, Spain, and Russia form an alliance.