Chapter 284 Josephism

Back to the point, under the collective protest and strong pressure of the Junker landlords, the farmer was soon dismissed from his post and never reinstated. The dilemma that the kingdom fell into was simply attributed to economic factors, not other factors.

If Franz, who was far away in Vienna, saw the investigation report at this time, he would definitely cry out for injustice! Heaven and earth, he had no intention of using Prussia as a raw material production base.

First, this would waste great land and talents. Second, Liebig's paper had been published throughout Europe, and the European continent would soon usher in an agricultural revolution.

Unless you are demented, trying to change Prussia's production structure by purchasing a large amount of agricultural products at this time is equivalent to doing useless work, which is of no help to the current and future strategic layout plans.

As for the surge in demand for sugar beets and feed, it is entirely because Austria's economic development is showing a benign development trend, people's income is increasing, and they have more money in their hands than before, so they will naturally pursue a higher and better standard of living, such as food and clothing (sugar and meat).

Of course, there is one thing that the Junker landlords said correctly, that is, the gap between Hungary and Austria has shown signs of deepening; especially the farce of slave trade that was made a sensation not long ago under the banner of saving disaster victims with immigrants, not to mention the kidnapping of the royal grand duke.

All of the above made the merchants in Inner Leitania begin to hate the faces of the Magyars, and the increasingly improved railway transportation and tariffs between them and the outsiders gave them more choices.

The addition of Austrian merchants just met the needs of the Junker nobles to reduce grain production and switch to other crops to increase income. Then the two hit it off, which led to beets and feed becoming a sharp blade in the hands of the Prussians.

At this time, the area between the Ruhr River and the Lippe River, tributaries of the lower Rhine River, was still surrounded by rows of small workshops and simple sheds, but it would not take many years for this place to become the heart of German industry-the Ruhr area.

At this time, no one could have imagined that this place would become the capital that Prussia relied on to unify Germany and the capital for the Second Empire to launch a world war. And at the Vienna Conference 26 years ago, Metternich took the initiative to throw this "rotten land" to this Holy Alliance ally.

Among them, there is a large steel workshop with only 130 people that produces kitchen utensils, farm tools and solid artillery steel. Its name is the famous Krupp Steel in later generations. (Friedrich Krupp AG)

A heated discussion is taking place in the factory where the forging hammers are roaring. One participant gave a completely different view from the Berlin high-level officials and most of the onlookers.

"Economic invasion? No, I think the Austrians want more than money and markets. What really interests them is population and talent."

"Are you sure? There are already 38 million Austrians today, and even the remaining members of the German Confederation cannot compare to them." Alfred Krupp, the current head of Krupp, retorted.

At this time, the total population of other members of the German Confederation was 32.6 million. Europe is roughly: Russia 63 million, France 34 million, Britain 27 million. (This data is inaccurate, and the mainstream of Europe at that time expelled Russia from European nationality.)

"You are right. But perhaps you forgot that the German population only accounts for 20% of them. If the Habsburg family wants to strengthen its rule, it must rely on us Germans." The young man said.

"Oh, dear Otto, do you mean that the Joseph faction has occupied the mainstream of Vienna again?" Alfred Krupp couldn't help laughing. After all, if it weren't for that ridiculous emperor, this southern neighbor might not be so weak now.

In history, there were more than one monarch and minister who wanted to strengthen Austria's centralization by introducing a large number of Germans, and the most recent one to do so was Joseph II.

As the eldest son of Queen Theresa, he took over a Habsburg dynasty that had been transformed by the queen for nearly half a century. His mother ruled this feudal empire with great skill, and even the most arrogant Shield of God learned to surrender; at the same time, she formed alliances on the European political stage, making the entire monarchy look like a revival.

However, some people think that Joseph II is a time traveler, while Franz thinks it is more accurate to say that he is the reincarnation of a P-society war criminal.

After Joseph II took power, he clicked on all the skill trees that would trigger radical thoughts, such as multiculturalism, religious freedom, free trade, protection of human rights, protection of speech, election of bureaucrats, liberation of slaves, compulsory education, and militarized police.

(The above version belongs to the Paradox fan version, and the following is a normal version. Joseph II's behavior even makes people feel that he is a time traveler.

First, he demanded the abolition of all the nobles' autonomy, judicial power, and economic tax exemption rights. At the same time, he must be Germanized, madly promote German, and require officials to speak German.

Then there is the serf system. During the reign of Queen Theresa, the serfs in the royal territory had been basically liberated, but Joseph II thought this was too mild, and he demanded the immediate liberation of all serfs in Austria.

Joseph II not only struck a heavy blow to the aristocratic system and the serf system, but also did not let go of the church, which had always been an ally. He closed 60% of the monasteries in Austria and confiscated a large number of church assets.

Moreover, the church is no longer subordinate to the Holy See, or even to the Catholic Church, but has become a national civil servant. All bishops must be loyal to the emperor. Archbishops are directly appointed by the royal family. Anyone who cannot perform state functions is required to return to secular life.

Enforcing freedom of religious belief, Jews can even support pagan weddings in Vienna churches, and even say that as long as citizens do not violate the laws he established, they are free even to believe in Satan.

Of course, Joseph II would not let go of the small bourgeoisie who had always supported him. He used an extremely exaggerated police system to stipulate the code of conduct for all citizens from birth to death.

For the most loyal military, it is still drastic to let a large number of veterans retire where they are. At the same time, he stipulated a lot of codes of conduct. For example, in order to curb the trend of duels within the empire, he stipulated that anyone who participated in or accepted a duel must be executed.

To write all of this in detail would require 1-2 chapters. In addition, book friends, don’t be afraid, these words are added later and there will be no charge. )

Needless to say, the consequences were that he offended everyone he could offend.

But in a country as bizarre as Austria, even such a monarch who is so eager for quick success still has a large number of supporters around him. The domestic political situation was dominated by the reformists, who were the earliest Josephites.

But history is full of accidents. Within a few years, the Austrian Empire was inexplicably involved in the Russo-Turkish War. While the two Austrians were fighting fiercely, their old rival Prussia took the opportunity to announce an alliance with the Sudan, and the Magyar rebels also took the opportunity to revolt. .

Faced with the precarious and corrupt situation, Joseph II had no choice but to compromise, and finally died in despair and isolation.

His epitaph reads:

"Those buried here, despite their best intentions, accomplished nothing."

Although this ruined and half-reputed monarch has left, the Josephite faction has not disappeared, but still has a very strong influence.

Hardline elements among them even advocated ethnic equality and the elimination of Magyar traitors. Yes, this person is the Minister of War, Count Tural. However, the entire Austrian military hierarchy somewhat believes in Josephism.

"Mr. Alfred, if I were you, I wouldn't be ridiculous. Everyone here must know very well that for many years we Germans have been caught between the French hammer and the Slavic anvil. After finally defeating that The damn Corsicans and his swarm of locusts finally got a chance to breathe, because the presence of Austria made the three parties reach a delicate balance.

If one day this balance is artificially broken, then Europe will fall into endless melee again. "

Otto von Bismarck was never a war maniac, but a wily politician.

"Otto, what you just said confused me. Can you tell me whether you want Austria to decline or become stronger?"

Alfred was able to develop a small workshop of 17 people into the most prestigious steel factory in the Rhineland with 130 employees in 7 years, which shows that this person is by no means mediocre, but compared with the future iron-blooded prime minister, his pattern is Still not enough.

The experienced Bismarck did not give a direct answer, but asked rhetorically.

"Mr. Alfred, do you think the Josephites will repeat the same mistakes this time?"

Alfred Krupp scratched his head. He never thought that this group of losers would succeed, because the arrogant attitude of the Germans in the Austrian Empire made it difficult for them to reconcile with other nationalities. But after careful consideration, the future steel tycoon answered.

"It should be possible. After all, you are an incredible talent. Isn't it?"

("Maybe, after all, you are here. Isn't it?" The original sentence is this, but in view of some book friends saying that there are too many things to think about, it has been simplified.)

Thanks to book friends S Yun Dong Bafang, Zhan Lu Jiang, and Zi Mu for their rewards.

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