Chapter 116: Disrupting Prussia’s Deployment
Chapter 116 – Disrupting Prussia’s Deployment
Berlin.
Palmerston’s arrival did not bring good news to Frederick William IV, the British were equally on their side this time.
“Your Majesty, the current situation is very unfavorable to us, all the European countries have stood against us, and Austria, the only one of the Great Powers that supports us, is only forced by public opinion, and they will not provide us with any substantial help.” Prime Minister Joseph von Radowitz frowned and said
To single-handedly challenge Russia on land, before the end of the Crimean War, no country in the whole of Europe had the courage to do so, and Prussia was no exception.
It was the greatest misfortune of the Kingdom of Prussia to meet such a neighbor, since they couldn’t win the fight it was better to be friends, Prussian-Russian relations had always been the most important part of Prussian diplomacy.
“Does the bourgeois government still refuse to give in?” Frederick William IV asked with concern
Radowitz thought for a moment and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. Civil morale is now high, and after Austria has spoken out in our favor, the German states are waving the flag for us, and they are attempting to use public opinion to force us into a war with Russia.
The bourgeois government, believes that popular morale cannot be demoralized now. They want to wait until Austria has dealt with its internal conflicts and join forces with us to resist the pressure from Russia.”
Yes, the Russia of the European gendarmes was indeed terrible, not comparable to Prussia. But after Prussia and Austria join forces, this situation will be reversed, and Russia can’t do one against two yet.
But the question is, why should Austria stand against the Russians just to help Prussia expand its territory? Where were their interests?
Frederick William IV thought for a moment and said, “Inform our people to take action to cool down public opinion at home, and tell my Arnime to stop for now, this is not the time to challenge the Russians.”
No one expected that the leader of the liberals was actually the king’s man, and it was no wonder that Prussia was able to reach an internal compromise so quickly after the outbreak of the Revolution.
But those who are familiar with history know that this Prussian-Danish War was just a war that Prussia provoked in order to divert internal conflicts.
Through the foreign war, it successfully diverted the attention of the nation and created favorable conditions for the counter-revolutionary groups to counterattack.
How could the bourgeois government have provoked the Prussian-Russian conflict before its position of power was consolidated, if it had not been guided?
Both the planning of the Polish independence movement and the launching of the Prussian-Danish War were challenging the bottom line of the Russians, and the Kingdom of Prussia couldn’t afford to pocket it once the gun was rubbed out.
In order to prevent the situation from getting out of control, Frederick William IV called a halt several times to ease the relationship. To a certain extent, this is also the Prussians to the Russians a test.
In August 1848, due to international pressure, the Kingdom of Prussia made concessions to the Russians, and the Prussian-Danish War entered the intermission phase, with the two countries signing the Armistice of Marmor.
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Vienna.
Receiving the Armistice of Marmor, the Austrian government all thought that this Prussian War was considered to be over, the Prussian compromise was very upsetting to the nationalists in the German region, and the Austrian plan had succeeded.
Only Franz knew that it was not so simple. Through this trial, the Prussians had gotten the answer they wanted, the Russians would not go to war with them easily.
The main reason was that the Tsarist government was relatively poor, and the Kingdom of Denmark was likewise unable to afford this war funding. Once war broke out with the Kingdom of Prussia, many of the Russians’ plans had to be put on hold.
“This armistice, came too soon, the terms on it are too much in favor of the Danes, this is very wrong, in the battlefield Prussia but has the upper hand, there is no reason to eat this loss.
Under normal circumstances, the Prussian government only need to insist a little, the Danes will give in, and perhaps even take advantage of a little, how can we eat this loss?”
Franz said.
Prussia is also a European power, even though it is only the bottom of the powers, it is still a member of the club of powers, how could it be possible to eat such an obvious loss?
Diplomatic pressure from various countries is even greater, and people are not intervening with force, so what makes them make such a big concession?
Metternich seemed to have thought of something, but did not dare to be sure, so he opened his mouth and asked, “Your Highness, do you mean that the Prussians have a conspiracy?”
“Yes!”
“As the two largest states in the German region, we have always wanted to unify the German region, don’t the Prussians want to unify the German region?
It was only after a series of failures that we realized that in Austria’s case, the states would not let us unify the German region, and finally gave up helplessly.
But once we have the chance to unify Germany, we will not give it up.
Now the Prussians have started nationalism, preached the idea of unification, and put forward the ill-conceived plan of a small Germany, for what purpose?
There is no doubt that the Prussians, knowing that they do not have the strength to unify the German region, are ready to kick us out and establish a Little German Empire as a second best option.
Why did Frederick William IV refuse to recognize the Frankfurt Conference, which clearly favored Prussia, when only a short time before we had foiled their plot at the Frankfurt Conference?
Was it really because that crown was not orthodox enough? In my opinion, he was afraid to. Once they supported the Frankfurt Conference, they were on the opposite side of the German states.
The Kingdom of Prussia had limited power, they couldn’t afford to spread it around, and now that they compromised in the war over Denmark, they were more than likely trying to make a go of things in the German region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should keep in touch with the governments of the various states at all times, so as not to let the Prussians take advantage of the situation, and we can send troops to help them stabilize the situation if necessary.”
Franz analyzed methodically, the advantage of foresight manifested itself.
Historically, at this time, the Prussians were constantly hooking up with the states in the German region, establishing the “Three Kings Alliance” in an attempt to replace the Austrian-controlled German Confederation, taking the first step towards unification of the German region.
Although Austria later slapped back and dissolved the Three Kings’ Alliance, the status of the Kingdom of Prussia in the German region was greatly improved.
They even made use of this opportunity to deliberately show their weakness and constantly proclaimed the shame of the Olmutz Agreement on Prussia, which diluted the vigilance of the powers against them.
These were Franz’s personal speculations, and he was very impressed that the Kingdom of Prussia was able to unify the German region in a narrow gap.
Only now the identity determines the position, and he is not a loyal Prussian fan – Peter III, it is impossible to sit his ass crooked.
Can only start with the greatest malice to speculate on the actions of the Prussians, to avoid leaving an opportunity for the enemy to take advantage of.
Austria is prepared, the Prussians want to pull allies, it is not so easy. On the influence in the German region, Prussia simply has no way to compare with Austria.
If this era relied on a referendum to decide its fate, Franz could have been ready to be crowned German Emperor, and the Habsburgs had an absolute advantage.
“Your Highness, right now the situation of many states in the German region is unstable, if the Prussians want to intervene, most likely they will help them stabilize the situation as a condition, and pull in some states to ally with them.
Judging from their strength, the Prussians will most likely draw in the North German states first, and then infiltrate the South German states.
As for the unification of the German region, this is most likely just a front, and the unification of the North German region is the limit of the states’ tolerance of the Prussian kingdom.” Metternich analyzed diplomatically
From the current international situation it is true that this is the case, but in the future it is not necessarily the case, historically the Kingdom of Prussia took advantage of the conflicts between the powers and broke down the enemies one by one, unifying the German region except Austria.
Because of geopolitical, religious, and economic relations, it is clear that Austria has the greatest influence in the German region, but the bourgeoisie of the North German states generally favored the Kingdom of Prussia, allowing Prussia to have a mass base for the unification of the North German region.
But now Austria could not tolerate Prussia’s unification of North Germany so early, which meant that the strength of both sides would be drawn closer.
Franz had not yet completed his domestic reforms, and the rise of a strong Prussian kingdom would threaten Austria’s interests.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs found ways to disrupt the Prussian plans and also to strengthen relations with the South German states. The government was ready to negotiate with the Customs Union, and Austria was to join.
If the Prussians block it, bring the South German states out to reorganize the Customs Union. If necessary, we can split the German Confederation!” Franz said seriously
In the North German region, Austria only needed to delay the Prussian kingdom’s unification process, and if necessary, make an exchange of benefits. As for the South German region, Franz would not let go of it easily no matter what.
Even if it is not possible to annex these countries, it is necessary to establish alliances and penetrate through politics, economy and culture.
Deepening the current alliance relationship further is a good choice, and if necessary, everyone can also partner up to establish a loose federal empire.
For example, modeled after the once Holy Roman Empire, as long as it is nominally unified, the future relies on economic and cultural influence to gradually realize the merger.
(End of chapter)