Chapter 227 On the Necessity of Buffering
Berlin
Austria's high-profile actions did not mean to keep secrets at all, and the Prussian government naturally received the news.
Frederick William IV was still hesitant to join the Intervention Coalition, not now. If there is no way to deal with it, before the coalition is established, the Kingdom of Prussia will first become history.
Foreign Minister Andrea analyzed: "Your Majesty, Austria is intimidating us. It is not good for them to divide us up by Russia, France, and Austria. Once we are finished, Austria, sandwiched between France and Russia, will be embarrassed.
It is absolutely impossible for them to gain more from dividing us than to annex South Germany, and they pay a much higher price. "
This is inevitable. The troops that can be used to divide Prussia, France and Russia are limited. The Russians can still dispatch 200,000 troops, and the French will take out hundreds of thousands of troops. The task of attacking must fall on Austria. superior.
The military strength of the Kingdom of Prussia is not weak, and at the juncture of life and death, it is entirely possible for an army of 500,000 to 600,000 to emerge.
If this is a fight, even if the three countries can't join forces, there is no problem in breaking a few Austrian teeth when they die.
After paying such a high price, most of the post-war profits would be split between France and Russia. Without the Kingdom of Prussia, which belongs to the Commonwealth of Poland and the Rhineland, its value cannot be compared to the South German region that Austria has now acquired.
In addition, it is much more difficult to rule. The Junkers nobles will not buy Austria's account, but the local people in the South German region are welcoming the king's division.
Frederick William IV said with grief and indignation: "Theoretically it is true, but this threat still exists. Austria dares to do so obviously, it is clearly determined that we do not dare to take risks."
Where is this adventure, it is clearly suicide. As long as Austria goes all out to attack Prussia, Russia and France will certainly take advantage of the fire.
Will Austria do this? No one knows the answer. However, Frederick-Wilhelm IV can be sure that this is the easiest way to break the game in Austria.
Joseph von Radowitz thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, we can throw this problem to the British, if they can't guarantee our safety, then we won't participate in the Nine Nations' intervention in the coalition.
The Austrians also need us to keep the French at bay, and if we are finished, they will face the French threat head on. As long as we quit now, they'll quit. "
This multiple-choice question is easy to do. The Prussian government joined the intervention army for profit, and it can also withdraw for profit.
The Nine-Nation Allied Forces seem to be very powerful, but in fact, the main forces here are only France and Prussia, and the rest of the countries are all made up. As long as any one of the Pharaohs is cowardly, the British plan will go bankrupt.
Andrea shook his head and said: "Prime Minister, the British may not be able to do this. They can persuade the French, but they cannot persuade the Russians.
According to Austria's plan, before the coalition was organized, we would go to war first, and the British would not be able to rescue us.
The only people who have the strength to help us are the French, but for their own sake, I am afraid that the French will wait for us to fail, and then annex our territory west of the Rhine is more likely.
At this time, we cannot put our hopes on the British. It has long been proven that their promises are unreliable most of the time.
If you can't get enough benefits from the intervening army, it is also a good choice to join forces with Austria to divide up the German region.
The big deal is to join the Russian-Austrian alliance, rebuild the Nordic three-court system, and jointly dominate the European continent. Britain and France are simply powerless to stop it. "
Frederick William IV hesitated. Austria's annexation of the South German region aroused everyone's fear, but the loss of direct benefits to various countries was not large. Among the powers, the biggest loss of benefits should be Prussia, and the market became smaller.
Prussia's annexation of the North German region is different. It is only a small problem to hit the British in the face. The biggest trouble is to cut off the financial path of the British capitalists.
Historically, Prussia annexed the North German region, but after joining the free trade system, the industry of the Kingdom of Prussia had developed by leaps and bounds and was not afraid of British competition.
It is different now. During this period, if the Prussian government dared to join the free trade system, the domestic national industry would be dead.
There is no way. In this era, the Kingdom of Prussia does not have a strong pillar industry with strong competitiveness. The industry depends on the copycat British, or the whole world is based on the copycat British.
One of the reasons for the Prussian government standing on the opposite side of Austria is that it is worried that after Austria controls the South German region, it will increase the import tariffs on Prussian goods and directly use administrative means to squeeze them out of the market.
This is not likely to happen, but it will definitely happen. For the industrializing Kingdom of Prussia, the lack of a sufficient market is self-evident.
On the issue of North Germany, it is impossible for the London government to make concessions, otherwise Prime Minister George will step down early, and maybe even a ticket to heaven will be given.
This is one of the reasons why the British want a third of Germany. The interests of domestic capitalists have prompted the London government to act.
As for saying that the British have many colonies and a large market, that is bullshit. Most of the colonial markets were not developed in this era, and the main market was still in continental Europe.
The risk of ocean-going trade is much greater than that of trade at home. Besides, which capitalist would despise how much money he made?
In contrast, South Germany is different, Bavaria is German and Italian
The textile center of the Zhi area, the largest export product of the British in this era is textiles. The London government let the Kingdom of Bavaria and Austria leave, not without the intention of excluding competitors.
In the mid-19th century, international politics was not only limited to politics and military affairs, but the influence of the economy also accounted for an increasing proportion, especially in a country with strong capital like Britain.
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The Austrian counterattack was both expected and unexpected by the British. Originally, the London government also thought that Austria would coerce and lure the Prussian government.
The effect of the ultimate move is naturally very powerful, and the Prussian government has euphemistically expressed its attitude - it does not dare to play.
The reality has taught the British that sometimes the national interests cannot be fully considered. The personal interests of high-level government officials can also determine national politics.
Having determined Napoleon III's position, the Austrians seized the loopholes in the coalition and could counterattack recklessly.
"The situation has changed. The Prussian government has been threatened by Austria and is ready to withdraw. If we don't want to stop it, I'm afraid it won't be long before the Northern European Union of the Three Courts will reappear in Europe." Prime Minister George Hamilton-Gordon said solemnly
The Russian-Austrian alliance has not been dismantled. If it becomes the Russian-Austrian alliance again, don't say anything, they will shrink their forces again and return to the British Isles.
Interior Minister Henry thought for a while and said: "Prime Minister, the Prussians may not have made up their minds, otherwise they should send troops to annex North Germany at this time, rather than communicate with us.
We can't help Russia and Austria, but there are still ways to deal with the Prussians. The Royal Navy blocks the North Sea for a month, and the domestic economic crisis of the Kingdom of Prussia will break out. They cannot ignore the consequences.
Even if the Prussians and Austria join forces to carve up the German region, it does not mean that the North German region belongs to them. I am afraid that many states will not give them the opportunity to do it, and they will directly throw themselves into the arms of Austria.
In this case, the Prussian government could not fail to consider clearly that this expansion did not eliminate the crisis, but only delayed it.
With Russia in the east, France in the west, Austria in the south, and the remaining side surrounded by the sea, the geographical location of the Kingdom of Prussia is extremely bad.
In this respect, Austria is very similar to them, both being sandwiched between France and Russia. It's just that Austria can develop to Italy and the Balkans, and the Prussians can only colonize overseas.
This is probably the reason why Frederick William IV dared not make up his mind. Without our acquiescence, they could only be trapped at home and watch the countries continue to grow and develop. "
This is the core reason for the collapse of the Northern European Three Court Alliance. The alliance cannot bring greater benefits to the Kingdom of Prussia. To carry out industrialization, it is inseparable from overseas markets. They must deal with the relationship with the British.
George Hamilton-Gordon hesitated for a moment and then made a decision: "Tell Thomas that this trial plan failed and use the second plan."
This is the best solution, but not the only one. The London government does not think that everyone is a fool, and naturally prepared an emergency plan.
The reason why the British adopted this unreliable scheme is very simple, the implementation cost is low, and the benefits are huge!
Of course everyone is happy if they succeed, but they have nothing to lose if they fail, so why not give it a try?
Are they really failing now?
Obviously not!
The British stabbed a thorn between the Russian-Austrian alliance, which worsened the Prussian-Austrian relationship. At the same time, it also stimulated the French and provoked Austria's relationship with European countries.
What about the British? As long as the foreign minister ran more diligently and checked and balanced Austria's strategy, they had completed most of it.
Affected by the deterioration of the diplomatic situation, Austria will have to repair its international relations for a long time to come. After all, this annexation of South Germany has stimulated everyone's sensitive nerves.
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Paris
The Prussian government withdrew from the intervention in the coalition, the British plans naturally changed, and negotiations resumed.
Thomas proposed again: "Everyone, considering the stability of the European continent, there must be a buffer between the great powers, I suggest that Baden, Hanover, Hamburg, Bremen ... and other German states form a new state.
Considering the actual situation, the Kingdom of Prussia can exchange land with this new country, leaving enough buffer space between France and Prussia and between Fao. "
The suggestion of this meeting is much more reliable, at least Metternich thinks so. Except for the lack of the Principality of Baden, the British in other southern German states have not proposed it.
In order to maintain a certain buffer with the French, in order to gain everyone's recognition, paying a Duchy of Baden, in Metternich's view, this price can also be considered.
While Metternich was thinking, Auvergne, the representative of France, took the lead in expressing his support: "Mr. Thomas' proposal is good. For the peace and stability of the European continent, it is necessary to leave a buffer between major powers."
The reason is naturally that it is good for everyone's strategic security. The French now neither have the domineering arrogance to invade the world, nor the strength to fight alone.
Since it cannot be swallowed, it is necessary to avoid conflicts with major powers as much as possible. As a member of the vested interests, a stable European continent is in the interests of Britain and France.
The hometown is unstable, even if you open up a colony overseas, you are not at ease? Don't look at the British people who have provoked conflicts in European countries for many times. In fact, they most want stability in Europe.
Of course, this kind of stability must be based on the balance of power among countries.
in the case of a rival. Obviously, at this time, countries on the European continent are restraining each other, and no one can dominate each other, so it is necessary to stabilize.
And this new country dominated by the British will inevitably move closer to them politically, increasing their voice on the European continent.
At the same time, they also maintained their market in the German region, and the government can reap the gratitude of a wave of capitalists, which is simply a matter of serving multiple purposes.
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Karl Woossel was also eager to try, but seeing that Metternich did not express his position, considering that Austria's interests were involved, and it was clearly agreed in the covenant, he did not dare to openly support it.
It's not surprising that the Russians' current strategy is to go south to Constantinople, and the European continent cannot be taken care of for the time being. A stable Europe is also what they need.
Metternich thought for a while and said, "This issue involves the Principality of Baden and the Palatinate Province of Bavaria. We must think carefully about this issue."
Seeing that the Austrians did not object, the representative of Prussia, Rottluff, could not bear it. He knew that if he did not come out to fight for benefits now, they would lose a lot of money.
"No, the Rhineland is the most important industrial area in the Kingdom of Prussia, we can't give up like this!"
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