Chapter 75: War to Serve Politics
Chapter 75: War should serve politics
Kossuth is not an economic man, and the top levels of the republican government likewise lack economically minded lords who have never even thought about what 200 million guilders would mean for Hungary!
Just because they didn’t know didn’t mean that the people sitting in the room didn’t know either, and Howell, the representative of the banking group, questioned:
“Mr. Kossuth, do you know what 200 million guilders means?”
This question directly blindsided Kosut, he also thought that these big nobles and big capitalists would bargain, but did not think that they would actually ask this question.
Calculated from the value of the currency, 1 guilder is about 11.69 grams of silver, 200 million guilders is 46.76 million taels of silver, silver has not been devalued in this era, the equivalent of pounds that is more than 20 million. (Gold and silver 1:10 or so)
In 1847, Austria’s revenue was only 155 million guilders (except Hungary), and the British revenue was only 50 million pounds.
In Hungary before the revolution, it would have been good to have a revenue of 100 million guilders, and after the establishment of the republican government, the wealth of 100 million guilders was spent.
This money was basically obtained by selling off a large number of state assets, plus taxes levied by the government. (Emperor’s property and universal public property)
This issue hadn’t been brought up before, that’s because everyone had a vested interest in buying up industries at low prices, and no one would turn down money delivered to their doorstep.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know, the first element of a politician is to have a thick skin, if you still have to have a face, you shouldn’t be a politician, especially in a republic.
“Of course, 200 million guilders is indeed a big number, but it’s not impossible to come up with for everyone here!” Kosut replied calmly
Indeed, for the people sitting here, not to mention 200 million guilders, even if it was increased by three or five times, they could afford it all the same.
Can afford and want to take out, this is completely two concepts, no one is willing to put their own money out, even if the interest rate is high, can not stand to have borrowed no return ah?
According to the new government’s spending rate, even more money can’t fill this bottomless pit, which is why many revolutionary governments in the world have failed.
Idealized governments try to do too much and end up emptying the country without making a name for themselves.
“Mr. Kosut, you probably flunked economics when you were in school, so please check how much money is circulating in the Hungarian market in total before you answer this question!” Howell sneered
How much wealth there is does not equate to how much money there is, in fact there is a limit to the amount of money circulating on the market, more money in circulation will depreciate in value, less money in circulation will lead to a money panic.
From the point of view of economics, all of a sudden from Hungary to draw 200 million guilders of currency, Hungary is going to break out of the money panic, followed by a run on the crisis – bank failure – the outbreak of the financial crisis – the Great Depression. -the Great Depression descends.
This era is not compared to later generations, everyone plays credit money, directly in the bank transfer can be, buy debt rolls have to take cash, it is no longer a question of whether they want to pay out money, but people simply can not take out.
(Source: total Austrian national savings in 1848 were 48 million guilders, in the United Kingdom 28.2 million pounds, £1 ≈ 9.6 guilders)
There is no doubt that Kossuth was disgraced this time, or that his team were white trash for making such an obvious mistake.
Of course there are many others who have made similar mistakes, it’s a common feature of mouth-breathers that they tend to be very one-sided when considering issues.
……
The war has started before Kosut has been able to solve his financial problems.
On May 8, 1848, Austrian troops in the Croatian provinces were the first to attack the Republic of Hungary.
On May 9, Austrian armies on both the Bohemian and Transylvanian sides, likewise, launched an attack on the Republic of Hungary.
On May 10, the counter-insurgency army led by Albrecht arrived at the front, and the Austro-Hungarian War was in full swing.
The tactic of adding oil did not exist, this time Kossuth’s prophecy was fulfilled, the four armies launched their attacks at the same time, and if we add the logistic and transportation forces, the total strength really broke through 400,000 troops.
Of course only half of the troops were really committed to the attack at most, and even then the Republic of Hungary couldn’t pocket it.
Vienna
The Hungarian battlefield is the report of success, in the absolute strength, has not been able to rely on shouting slogans to reverse the unfavorable situation.
In order to ensure victory, Franz also cited the needs of the whole situation, transferred back to the Bohemian army commander-in-chief Prince Windischgretz as Minister of War, replaced by Julius as the commander-in-chief.
Prince Wendischgretz picked up his baton and pointed out on a pair of maps on the wall in a spirited manner, saying:
“Your Highness, the Croatian legions led by Governor Josip Jelačić have now arrived at Lake Balaton and captured Balatonkelestuur;
The Austrian legions, led by General Albrecht, are attacking Fort Kaup;
The Bohemian Legion, led by General Julius, which had just defeated the Hungarian People’s Army and was now less than a hundred kilometers from Budapest;
The Transylvanian Corps, under General Vinciguerre, was still in Debrecen at this time because of the traffic.
On the whole, the war of counter-insurgency had so far gone very well. The Bohemian Legion has an army of one hundred thousand men, and if things go well, it will be able to launch the Budapest siege the day after tomorrow at the most.”
He had reasons to be proud that this war was under his leadership. Of course, because of the communications of this era, in reality the War Ministry was only formulating a strategy.
Exactly how it was to be fought was still really a matter of generalship and military orders.
What about the military ability of Prince Windischgraetz, Franz did not rush to conclusions, although historically he lost in the suppression of the Hungarian rebellion, but he now developed a battle plan is still feasible.
“The battle plan to attack Budapest is on hold, just let General Julius suppress the enemy and wait for the Austrian Legion to join them before launching the attack!”
Don’t look at the Hungarian Rebellion as a good bully, history is that the Austrian army was the one that flipped at the last minute and ended up turning to the Russians to help with the aftermath.
At least the student army, the strongest fighting force in the Republic of Hungary, is not on the battlefield yet.
Franz is also not sure, now the Republic of Hungary’s public morale how, if it is the people fully support this government, then Budapest is a monumental field.
“Your Highness, the rebels are just a bunch of rabble, at most one week, we can conquer Budapest and put down this rebellion!”
Prince Wendischgraetz said excitedly, seemingly accusing Franz of meddling in military affairs in a haphazard manner and missing the opportunity to fight.
Franz calmly explained, “Your Excellency the Prince, the military serves politics, and war is only a means, not an end.”
(End of chapter)