Chapter 217: Transaction
The sudden pause in the Near East War has awakened many in the Austrian government. Not surprisingly, the powers are no fools and will not allow a unified German Empire to emerge and compete with them.
This was in line with Franz’s expectations. In contrast to the historical existence of the Reich, Austria now seems much stronger.
While deterring the European countries, it was natural to arouse their concern. At that time, diplomatic means became very important, and the blind use of force was not what the wise would do.
Berlin
Metternich proposed to the Prussian government to divide the German territories. There is no doubt that the Prussians are no fools and it would be very difficult for the two sides to reach an agreement.
It was easy for Austria to annex Southern Germany, but it was very difficult for Prussia to annex Northern Germany. This is a question of soft power.
****nist Prussia is only militarily strong, but culturally it is left behind by most of the German states.
This is also the reason why the Kingdom of Prussia easily attracted criticism. They have no voice in the cultural world and are not culturally recognized by everyone.
Of course, they can also use force to force everyone to agree, just like in history. However, the current government of Frederick William IV is cowardly and does not dare to take this step.
All countries have called for a halt to German unification, and Austria has encountered unprecedented difficulties in diplomacy. If Prussia jumped out at this time, Austria’s pressure would be relieved, but Prussia itself would suffer.
Northern Germany is different from Southern Germany. Most of the southern countries are subordinates of Austria and have been influenced by Austria for a long time. This is also the reason why Franz advocated the use of political means to unify.
There is also British involvement in Northern Germany. Hanover is a hurdle that Prussia cannot cross if it wants to annex this region.
After the matter with Denmark, the Prussian government knew not to provoke the powers, even if the British would not directly storm the city like the Russians did, their navy coming out to block the door was also very frightening.
Metternich calmly said, “Your Majesty, Northern Germany is the most prosperous region in Germany. Although its land area is a little smaller, its economic strength is not weak at all.”
The economic power of Northern Germany is indeed not weak. It even exceeds half of the Kingdom of Prussia, which is why Frederick William IV longed for it.
Frederick William IV shook his head and said, “Prime Minister, although Northern Germany’s economy is good, it still cannot catch up with Southern Germany in terms of population or land area, the gap is huge.
Considering the complex situation in Northern Germany, it would be very difficult for the Kingdom of Prussia to annex these states, which is very unfair. Prussia must receive Saxony as compensation.”
The Prussian government had already realized the importance of population by this time.
Metternich replied coldly: “Your Majesty, strength determines influence. Once this line is crossed, it means disaster!”
Fairness, how is that possible? Why would the Austrian government allow the Kingdom of Prussia to receive equal benefits after Austria had paid such a high price? Did they think that the Austrian government was stupid?
……
Prussia did not dare to provoke the British but hoped to get compensation in Central Germany. This is unacceptable for Austria. The last negotiations between Prussia and Austria ended in disagreement, as expected.
Metternich has achieved his goal — Prussia is tempted to divide Germany amid its continuing division. This means that they cannot work closely with Britain and France.
What good would the British and French proposal to divide Germany into three parts, with a new country formed by combining the states outside of Prussia and Austria?
Surely Prussia cannot give up its military power just to contain Austria! Once this new country is established, the losses to the Kingdom of Prussia would be great.
Without Southern Germany, Austria would still be a European power; without Northern Germany, Prussia could not even maintain its current status as a quasi-great power.
The entire industrial system would be gone, as would the German Customs Union, which is vital to Prussia’s economic lifeblood.
The Kingdom of Prussia with 13-14 million people would not have been able to support an independent economy even in the 19th century.
Although Northern Germany is not large in area, its population is considerable. Once annexed, Prussia’s population would exceed 20 million, already surpassing Great Britain, and its total economic volume could increase by 60-70%.
The bait is set. Metternich is confident that Prussia will take it. Whether Prussia ultimately benefits or suffers is not his concern.
……
In 1853, Paris still retained some of its medieval appearance. In the corners of the classical city, new forces were emerging. A large number of immigrants with dreams of making a living poured into Paris.
The booming population brought not only economic development, but also mountains of garbage and feces, and roads that were congested at all times.
A wide ditch cut the road in half and blocked the roads on both sides. After a light rain, rickety bridges had to be built over the roads.
Slaughterhouses were in the center of the city, blood flowing like streams into the streets, congealing under the soles of shoes, and turning leather shoes crimson.
This was the Paris Metternich saw, accustomed as he was to the cleanliness of Vienna. Seeing the dirty and chaotic Paris, he found it hard to like the place.
Most unacceptable were the occasional dead babies in the stinking ditches — society’s cruelty forced the public’s moral collapse, and the lower classes had no choice but to artificially control the birth rate to survive... The large peasant families with rooms full of children and grandchildren had already disappeared here.
This was the bustling world metropolis, the landmark city of Europe, and also the sea of sin — the Paris of the 19th century.
Palace of Versailles
Metternich and Napoleon III met in secret. Interests have always been the best catalyst for relations between nations. Before the French Revolution, Franco-Austrian relations were in a honeymoon phase.
After the French Revolution, the situation changed dramatically. After Napoleon III acceded to the throne, Franco-Austrian relations warmed up for a time, but with the outbreak of the Near East War, relations between the two countries froze again.
Now the two can get together and talk and laugh, still because of interests. As continental powers, France and Austria have many interests in common.
There is nothing that interests cannot solve. If interests cannot solve the problem, then the interests are simply not big enough.
Napoleon III is not a saint without desires. Therefore, he had great expectations for Metternich’s arrival, which meant interest.
Metternich cut right to the chase: “Your Majesty, France and Austria can cooperate on the European continent for mutual benefit.
The conflict between our nations is what is needed for the British policy of continental balance, which does not correspond to the interests of our two countries.
I came to Paris this time to have in-depth communication with your country and to resolve the disputes between the two countries.”
“What do you want from us, and what can we get in return?” Napoleon III asked bluntly.
The higher the level of negotiations, the simpler they often are. Everyone is very busy and there is not a lot of time to quibble.
High-level meetings are usually very short. To achieve results in a limited time, it is easier to reach a consensus by discussing interests directly.
Metternich stated the condition directly: “Your Majesty, Austria hopes to obtain your country’s recognition of the new Holy Roman Empire. In return, Austria will support your country’s expansion in the Kingdom of Sardinia and Central Europe.”
Napoleon III thought for a moment and said: “It seems that the unification of Germany is just a cover. Your real goal is to annex Southern Germany. Now you have achieved your goal, have you not?”
Metternich replied gravely: “Yes, Your Majesty! The unification of Germany is too difficult. Nobody wants us to succeed. Austria has no plans to challenge the world.”
Napoleon III was thinking. The call for the unification of Germany was very loud, and Austria had already taken over Southern Germany. It is not easy to get them to give it up.
From France’s point of view, of course, he did not want Austria to get stronger, but now it is very difficult to intervene.
Although there has been a temporary truce in the Near East War, Napoleon III is very clear that the contradictions between Britain, France, and Russia have not subsided. Until the Russians stop, they cannot make concessions.
Can Austria be forced to withdraw by diplomatic pressure? Napoleon III can say with certainty that it is impossible. Nowadays, everyone speaks with strength. Austria has already shown its strength. Without the strength to overwhelm them, one cannot expect them to compromise.
He had to admit that Austria had chosen a good opportunity, taking advantage of the fighting between Britain, France, and Russia to take Southern Germany in one fell swoop and create a fait accompli.
Napoleon III said carefully: “Your country must cede the land west of the Rhine to France, and your country must also withdraw from Italy.
The sphere of influence of the new Holy Roman Empire will be limited to the present member states and must not expand further in Germany.
In the Near East War, your country must stop supporting the Russians. If your country can do all this, we can recognize the legitimacy of the new Holy Roman Empire.”
It was impossible to agree to Napoleon III’s demands. After paying such a high price, Austria would only gain Southern Germany. Wouldn’t Austria’s efforts be in vain?
Metternich shook his head and said: “Your Majesty, your appetite is too great. It has exceeded Austria’s bottom line.
Apart from the fact that the new Holy Roman Empire will not expand further into Germany, we cannot accept the other conditions.
First of all, there is an alliance between Russia and Austria. We cannot betray our allies. There is no need to discuss this issue.
Secondly, it is impossible to withdraw from Italy. At most, we can promise not to expand further in Italy.
The German land to the west of the Rhine can be negotiated, but not at this time. We must consider the feelings of the people.
We do not have a great deal of territory to the west of the Rhine, and its value is not very high. Your country may be better off making up for it elsewhere.”
After Metternich admitted that there was an alliance between Russia and Austria, Napoleon III’s heart sank. This meant that intervention was no longer possible.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that all European countries are involved. Most countries are just trying to increase their international presence. If they are asked to send troops, they will back down one by one.
As long as Russia supported Austria, the intervention forces could not be organized. Unless the Near East War was stopped immediately and Britain and France withdrew their frontline troops, there would be no strength left to intervene in Austria.
Whether the British would do it, Napoleon III did not know. In any case, he would not do it himself. After paying such a high price and fighting the war to such an extent, he simply could not end it without a major victory.
This was about his own political life. Napoleon III could not possibly risk his throne just to intervene in Austria. It was not worth it.
Since there was an agreement between Russia and Austria, and Metternich secretly appeared in Paris, what about London? If the Austrians persuade the British, then whether France recognizes it or not is irrelevant.
Thinking about this, Napoleon III reluctantly realized that he had little choice at this time. Unless France does not expand in the future, exchanging interests now is the best choice.
France’s mineral resources are inadequate. The mineral resources in the Rhine area of Germany have always been coveted by France, especially the rich coal resources in the area.
Most of these areas are currently under the control of the Kingdom of Prussia, which is one of the causes of the Franco-Prussian War in history. Because the Prussians did not fulfill their previous commitments, Napoleon III provoked the war.
……
Maximizing interests was the essence of every politician, and Napoleon III was no exception. Now he needed to gain advantages from Austria to consolidate his still unstable rule.
After some negotiations, on August 6, 1853, at the Palace of Versailles, Metternich and Napoleon III signed the “Franco-Austrian Outline for the Solution of the Italian Question”, the “Franco-Austrian Treaty on the Division of Spheres of Influence in Central Europe” and the “Franco-Austrian Secret Treaty on Mutual Assistance”.
The first two treaties only defined the spheres of influence between the two countries. The treaties also defined many potential points of conflict.
The secret treaty after those two was the core of this negotiation. According to the agreement: France would support the establishment of the new Holy Roman Empire, while Austria would support France in obtaining the territories west of the Rhine and some regions of Italy. (Including Belgium, Luxembourg, the Rhineland, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and Sicily).
When it came to making promises at the expense of others, Franz was always very generous. If the French dared to ask, even if they included the Netherlands and Northern Germany, Metternich would not refuse.
After all, this verbal promise of support would remain only verbal, without any real exchange of interests.
Didn’t Napoleon III know? Impossible. But he had confidence in France’s strength and believed that taking these regions would be no problem at all.
As long as the Austrians fulfilled their obligations and gave verbal support, without joining other countries to intervene, they would have a high chance of success.
One should always have ideals. What if they were realized?
If action needs to be taken in the future, making arrangements in advance would eliminate an opponent early on.
Of course, Napoleon III was no fool either. He would not believe the commitments made by the Austrian government. With so many goals, even if they were to take action, it would be impossible to accomplish them all at once.
The road must be taken step by step, and the meat must be eaten bit by bit. As long as they do not rush, the French can still achieve these goals.
In short, everything depended on strength. As long as France was strong enough, these small goals could be achieved. Otherwise, even if the Austrians fulfilled their obligations, France would have no appetite to swallow them.
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