NOVPUBTurning the tables was a necessary move for Franz. Despite Austria’s significant influence within the German Federation Empire, the Central Government led by Hanover was still more pro-British.
From the standpoint of the German Federal Government, developing closer ties with the British and leveraging their strength to ensure their own independent status clearly aligned more with the interests of the ruling class.
In comparison, the Vienna Government’s daily calls for the unification of the Germany Region made them difficult to get close to.
This concern was limited to the larger Sub-States; for the vast majority of smaller states, these worries were non-existent. Aligning with Austria posed no threat, as they were all just followers anyway.
Influenced by nationalism, most of the small states in the Germany Region leaned towards rejoining the Shinra Empire, fulfilling their dream of becoming a major nation.
In terms of strength, the unification of the Germany Region would birth a new European hegemon, which could very likely become a global hegemon.
Hegemony is not just about status, there are hidden benefits behind it. The growth and strengthening of nationalism in the Germany Region, besides Austrian support, was significantly aided by many local capitalists and nobility.
Beyond patriotism, it was mostly about interest. Hegemony could bring larger markets for the capitalists and glory and benefits for the nobility.
Although Austria had many supporters, most of them were outside the range of substantive power, possibly scattered among smaller states, unable to influence the decisions of the Central Government.
These people supported the unification of the Germany Region, which, in a sense, was to reshuffle the deck, using Austria to reorganize rights and interests.
In Franz’s view, most of these people were opportunists. It was fine to have them cheer and cooperate with Austria’s rule locally, but one could not expect them to lay down their lives.
Otherwise, the rule of the German Federal Government would have been overthrown long ago. Franz had seen the fighting power of nationalism; if these people dared to lead, the German Federal Government could be replaced in an instant.
By flipping the table now, Franz was not only warning the German Federal Government not to play with fire, but he was also knocking on the opportunists, showing them through concrete action that without Austria, the Germany Region would be a small country with no say.
Lest after swallowing up the Rhineland region, these people would get carried away and be lured by the British into playing with de-Germanization.
These regions were different from Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which had earlier broken away from the Shinra Empire.
Switzerland was mountainous, a region with little to offer and yet fiercely independent; naturally, Franz had no interest in such a place.
Belgium’s geographical position was important, existing as a buffer state between France and the Germany Region; whoever targeted them, they would tilt toward the other side.
There’s no need to mention the Netherlands, which had always remained outside of the Germany Region, gaining independence early and developing their own cultural heritage system.
These three countries all had the capital to be independent, something the scattered German Federation Empire did not possess. Their dire strategic positioning, caught between the France-Austrian-Prussian Three Nations, meant their future was not going to be easy.
Once the European balance was broken, the tragedy of the German Federation Empire was inevitable. Before that, Franz didn’t mind letting them enjoy a few carefree days.
Without experiencing the harsh lessons of society, how could one understand the importance of a strong homeland?
…
In Berlin, ever since learning that the Anglo-Austrian two countries intended to give the Rhineland region to the German Federation Empire, Wilhelm I was furious.
It was simply too bullying; even if the Rhineland was an exclave and had the French nearby, always at risk of being lost, it was still the territory of the Kingdom of Prussia.
In retrospect, after the anti-French war, at the Vienna Congress, Austria had forced the Rhineland into their hands, making them act as gatekeepers against France.
The poignant scene of his father, Frederick-William III’s, heartache had already materialized in Wilhelm I’s mind. He never expected that within his lifetime, he would be faced with it again.
On the surface, gaining a piece of territory, even if only an enclave, would not seem humiliating.
In reality, the Congress of Vienna was also a spoils-sharing meeting following the victory over France, where Prussia’s opportunity to completely annex Saxon was forfeited in favor of obtaining the Rhineland region. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
At the time, the Rhineland region was considered worthless land and constantly under threat from the French, truly incomparable to the fertile soil closer to home.
After much difficulty, the industrial age arrived, and what was worthless land became precious ground. Yet, now it was to change hands once more. How could Wilhelm I accept this?
The promises made earlier to the French were nothing but empty checks. Wilhelm I knew well that the Anglo-Austrian two countries would not allow the French to annex the Rhineland region, and it was entirely possible to renege on the deal afterward.
But now, the Anglo-Austrian two countries had done something even more extreme than he had imagined, preparing to take the Rhineland region directly from their hands.
Wilhelm I, holding back his anger, said, "The Anglo-Austrian two countries want to snatch the Rhineland region from our hands. What do you think we should do now?"
Prime Minister Maoqi slammed the table and exclaimed, "This is impossible. The Rhineland region is our legitimate territory, confirmed by all the countries of Europe at the Congress of Vienna. On what grounds can the Anglo-Austrian countries take it from my hands?
No matter what, we cannot make concessions. If we agree to such humiliating terms, how can we explain to our people? As long as we don’t agree, the Anglo-Austrian countries wouldn’t really send troops to help the German Federation seize it, would they?"
Finance Minister Gorman said, "The issue isn’t so simple. It’s true that the Anglo-Austrian countries wouldn’t send troops to take the Rhineland region by force, but they can still prevent us from establishing the Prusso-Polish United Kingdom.
News from London indicates that the Anglo-Austrian countries have reached an agreement that if we reject this trade, they will not recognize this Polish royal election.
If we forcibly annex Poland, the Anglo-Austrian countries will mobilize the nations of Europe to impose material embargos on us. The London Government has already prepared to collect debts early, considering our financial situation, I’m afraid…"
Send troops? There’s no need for troops. Just an embargo alone is enough to cripple the Kingdom of Prussia, not to mention the British demanding early debt repayment.
Make no mistake, within a month at most, the Kingdom of Prussia would face a catastrophic economic crisis.
Prime Minister Maoqi retorted, "If the British demand early debt repayment, we’ll declare bankruptcy and repudiate those debts. Let’s both be hurt; nobody will get off easily.
An embargo is easy to say, but impossible to implement. On the European continent, the Anglo-Austrian countries cannot do whatever they want. If they stop trading, other countries will take their place.
Moreover, their domestic capitalists would be the first to disagree with such government-enforced intervention in free trade."
Finance Minister Gorman explained with a wry smile, "Whether the capitalists agree or not, an embargo by the Anglo-Austrian countries is indeed feasible.
Not all countries need to participate. Most of our import and export trade is with the Anglo-Austrian countries, accounting for about 66.4% of our total trade volume.
If we were blockaded by the Anglo-Austrian countries, more than half of the world’s ports would close to us. Routes to Africa, India, and Southeast Asia would be entirely cut off, including any connection with our only colonies.
As for traveling to America…"
This is a real problem. Along with their colonies, the economies of the Anglo-Austrian countries account for 58% of the world’s total, 68% of the total industrial output, and 75% of total import and export trade.
Their colonies combined exceed a third of the world’s land area, and these two countries monopolize most of the world’s ports, making overseas trade unavoidable.
