Chapter 220 Trading
The war in the Near East was suddenly suspended, instantly awakening many people in the Austrian government. There is no surprise, the foreign powers are not fools and will not let the unified German Empire come out and snatch food from them.
This was expected by Franz. Unlike the empires in history, Austria now looks much stronger.
When intimidating European countries, it is inevitable that everyone will be jealous. At this time, diplomatic means is very important. Blindly reckless is not what a wise man does.
Berlin
Metternich proposed to the Prussian government to divide up the German region. There is no doubt that the Prussians are not stupid, and it is difficult for the two sides to negotiate.
It is easy for Austria to annex South Germany, but it is very troublesome for Prussia to annex North Germany. This is a matter of soft power.
In ***ist Prussia, the only strength is military strength. Culturally, most German states can despise them.
This is also the reason why the Kingdom of Prussia is easy to recruit black people. They have no right to speak in the cultural world, and they are not recognized by everyone culturally.
Of course, they can also learn from history and use force to force everyone to agree. However, the current government of Frederick William IV has been discouraged and dare not take this step.
The countries jointly stopped the German reunification, and Austria encountered an unprecedented dilemma in its diplomacy. If Prussia jumped out at this time, the pressure on Austria would be relieved, and they themselves would be forced.
The North German region is different from the South German region. Most of the South German countries are Austria's younger brothers and have been influenced by Austria for a long time, which is why Franz advocates the use of political means to unify.
The North German region is still in the hands of the British. Prussia wants to annex these regions. Hanover is a hurdle that cannot be overcome.
After an incident in Denmark, the Berlin government knew that foreign powers were not easy to provoke. Even if the British would not directly attack the city like the Russians, it would be terrible for the navy to block the door.
Metternich said calmly: "Your Majesty, the North German region is the most prosperous region in Germany. Although the territory is slightly smaller, their economic strength is not weak at all."
The economic strength of the North German region is indeed not weak, and the total amount is more than half of the Kingdom of Prussia, which is the dream of Frederick William IV.
Frederick William IV shook his head and said, "Your Excellency Prime Minister, although the economy of the North German region is good, it is still not as good as that of the South German region. There is a huge disparity in terms of population base and territorial area.
Considering the complex situation in North Germany, it is very difficult for the Kingdom of Prussia to annex these states, which is very unfair, and Prussia needs to get Saxony as compensation. "
Obviously, the Prussian government had recognized the importance of population during this period.
Metternich replied coldly: "Your Majesty, strength determines power. Once this boundary is exceeded, it means disaster!"
Fair enough, how is that possible? Austria paid such a high price and finally let the Kingdom of Prussia gain the same benefits. Is the Vienna government really stupid?
...
The Prussian government did not dare to provoke the British, but hoped to obtain compensation in the Central German region, which was obviously not acceptable to Austria. The last negotiation between Puo and Austria naturally ended in an unhappy end.
Metternich's goal has been achieved, the Prussians are tempted, and want to carve up a piece of meat when the German region is divided, which means that it is impossible for them to cooperate closely with Britain and France.
If, as proposed by Britain and France, the German region is divided into three parts, and the states except Cape Prussia and Austria are merged into one state, what is the benefit of the Prussians?
Can't Prussia abandon its martial arts in order to restrict Austria? Once the country was established, the loss of the Kingdom of Prussia was great.
Without the South German region, Austria would still be a European power; without the North German region, the Kingdom of Prussia would not be able to maintain its current status as a quasi-power.
The complete industrial system is gone, and the German customs union, which is the lifeline of the Prussian economy, no longer exists.
A Prussian kingdom with a population of 13-4 million could not support an independent economy, even in the 19th century.
The area of North Germany is not large, but the population is quite large. Once it is annexed, the population of the Kingdom of Prussia will exceed 20 million.
The bait was put down, and Metternich was not afraid that the Prussians would not be tempted. In the end, it was none of his business whether the Prussians ate the meat or got into trouble.
...
In 1853, Paris still maintained a part of the medieval style. New forces surged in the corners of the classical city, and a large number of immigrants flowed to Paris with the dream of making a living.
The skyrocketing population has not only brought about economic development, but also the accumulation of mountains of garbage and excrement, and the streets will be congested at any time.
A wide ditch bisected the road and blocked the road on both sides. As long as there is a light rain, the road will build a rickety bridge.
The slaughterhouse is located in the city center, and the blood flows like a stream to the road, where it condenses on the soles, and then the shoes are dyed crimson.
This was the Paris in Metternich's eyes. He was used to the cleanliness of Vienna, and when he saw the messy Paris, he really couldn't like it.
The most unacceptable thing is the infanticide that occurs from time to time in the stinky ditch. The cruel society forces the people to lose their morality. In order to survive, the people at the bottom have to artificially control the birth rate... Farmers with many children and grandchildren.
The big folk family has disappeared here.
Here is a bustling international metropolis, a landmark city in Europe, and a sea of sin, this is Paris in the 19th century.
Palace of Versailles
Metternich and Napoleon III had a secret meeting, and interests are always the best catalyst for state relations. Before the Great Revolution was the honeymoon period of Fao-Austrian relations.
After the Great Revolution, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. After Napoleon III succeeded to the throne, the relationship between France and Austria once recovered. With the outbreak of the War in the Near East, the relationship between the two countries dropped to freezing point again.
Now the two can talk and laugh together, or because of their interests, there is a common topic between Faao, who is also a mainland country.
There is nothing that cannot be solved by interests. If interests cannot be solved, it must be that the interests are not large enough.
Napoleon III was not a saint without desires, so he had great expectations for Metternich's arrival, which meant benefits.
Metternich said straight to the point: "Your Majesty, on the European continent, France and Austria can completely cooperate with each other and get what they need.
'Two nations confrontation', which is what the British policy of continental balance requires, is not in the interests of our two countries.
My visit to Paris this time is just to have in-depth communication with your country and to resolve the current disputes between the two countries. "
"What do you need us to do, and what can we get?" Napoleon III asked neatly
In fact, the higher the level of negotiation, the simpler it is. Everyone is very busy and doesn't have so much time for wrangling.
Usually high-level meetings are very short, and to achieve results within a limited time, it is easier to reach a consensus by directly discussing interests.
Metternich directly stated the conditions: "Your Majesty, Austria hopes to gain your country's recognition of the New Holy Roman Empire, and in return Austria will support your country's expansion in the Kingdom of Sardinia and Central Europe."
Napoleon III thought for a while and said: "It seems that the unification of the German region is just a pretense. Your real purpose is only to annex the South German region. Now your goal has been achieved, right?"
Metternich replied solemnly: "Yes, Your Majesty! It is too difficult to unify the German region. Everyone does not want us to succeed. Austria has no plans to challenge the world."
Napoleon III fell into contemplation, the voice of the unification of the German region was very high, and Austria in the South German region had already eaten it, and obviously would not spit it out easily.
From the standpoint of France, he naturally does not want Austria to continue to grow, but it is very difficult to interfere now.
Don't look at the temporary truce of the Near East War. Napoleon III was very clear that the contradiction between Britain, France and Russia has not eased. As long as the Russians don't stop, they can't make concessions.
Relying on diplomatic pressure to hold Austria back? Napoleon III can say for sure, stop dreaming. In this era, everyone is talking about their strength. Austria has shown its muscles. If they don’t overwhelm their strength, don’t expect them to compromise.
He had to admit that Austria chose a good opportunity to take advantage of the fierce battle between Britain, France and Russia, and won the South German region in one fell swoop, which created an established fact.
Napoleon III said cautiously: "Your country must cede the land west of the Rhine to France, and at the same time your country must withdraw from Italy.
The sphere of influence of the New Holy Roman Empire is limited to the current allied countries and cannot continue to expand to the German region.
Your country must not continue to support the Russians in the war in the Near East. If your country can do this, we can recognize the legitimacy of the new Holy Roman Empire. "
How could it be possible to agree to Napoleon III's request? Paying such a big price, you will gain a South Germany, and Austria is not busy.
Metternich shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, your appetite is too great, which has exceeded Austria's bottom line.
Apart from the fact that the New Holy Roman Empire does not continue to expand in Germany, we cannot accept any other conditions.
First of all, there is a covenant between Russia and Austria, and it is impossible for us to turn our backs on our allies. There is no need to discuss this issue.
Secondly, it is impossible to exit the Italian region, at most we can promise not to continue the expansion in the Italian region.
The German land west of the Rhine can be negotiated, but not now, we must consider the feelings of the people.
In fact, our territory west of the Rhine is not much, and the value is not very high. It may be better for your country to make up for it from other places. "
After getting Metternich's own admission that there was a covenant between Russia and Austria, Napoleon III's heart sank to the bottom, which meant that intervention was impossible.
Don't watch all the countries in Europe come to join in the fun. In fact, most countries are just trying to gain a sense of presence in the world. If they are really asked to send troops, one or two will be defeated.
As long as the Russians supported Austria, the intervention in the coalition could not be organized. Unless the war in the Near East is stopped immediately, and the British and French withdraw their troops from the front, they can interfere with Austria's strength.
Napoleon III did not know whether the British were willing to do it or not, but it was absolutely impossible for him to do it himself. Having paid such a high price, the battle has come to this point. If there is no big victory, he will not be able to end it at all.
This is related to his own political life. Napoleon III cannot bet on his throne in order to intervene in Austria. It is not worth it.
Since there was a deal between Russia and Austria, and Metternich appeared in Paris secretly, what about London? If the Austrians persuaded the British, it did not matter whether there was French recognition.
thought of this,
Napoleon III reluctantly found that at this time, his choice was not large. Unless France does not expand in the future, it is the best choice to exchange interests now.
The mineral resources in France are insufficient, and the mineral resources in the German Rhine region have always been coveted by France, especially the local rich coal resources.
Most of these areas are currently under the control of the Kingdom of Prussia, which is also one of the causes of the Franco-Prussian war in history. The Prussians did not fulfill their prior commitments, and Napoleon III provoked the war.
...
Maximizing interests is the essence of any politician, and Napoleon III is no exception. Now he needs to get a benefit in Austria to consolidate his still unstable country.
After some bargaining, on August 6, 1853, Metternich and Napoleon III signed the "Fao-Austrian Outline for Handling the Italian Issue", "Fao-Austrian Treaty on the Division of Influence between Central Europe" and "Fao-Austrian Mutual Assistance Secret Treaty" at the Palace of Versailles.
The first two treaties only stipulated the sphere of influence of the two countries, and stipulated many possible disputes in treaties.
The secret agreement behind is the core of this negotiation. According to the agreement: France supports the establishment of the new Holy Roman Empire, and Austria will support the French to obtain the area west of the Rhine and parts of Italy. (including Belgium, Luxembourg, Rhineland, Sardinia, Sicily)
When it comes to generosity, Franz is always generous. If the French dare to ask for it, even if they include the Netherlands and North Germany, Metternich will not refuse.
In any case, the support for this commitment is just rhetorical and does not require actual benefits.
Didn't Napoleon III know? Obviously impossible, but he has confidence in the strength of France and thinks that he will have no problem winning these areas.
As long as the Austrians can fulfill their promises, support them verbally, and do not interfere with other countries, they will have great success.
There is always an ideal, but what if it is realized?
An agreement was made in advance, and an opponent was also excluded in advance in case of future action.
Of course, Napoleon III was not stupid, and would not really believe the promises of the Austrian government. With so many goals, even if they wanted to take action, it would not be possible to achieve them in one fell swoop.
The road has to be taken step by step, and the meat has to be eaten one bite at a time. As long as they are not greedy for success, the French are still very likely to achieve these goals.
In short, everything depends on strength. As long as France is strong enough, these small goals can be achieved. On the other hand, if the strength is insufficient, even if the Austrians fulfill their promises, they will not have the appetite to eat.