Holy Roman Empire

If you want to refine industrial products, forget it.This requires a large amount of capital investment, and the colonial government is not so bold.

Planting cash crops, mining precious metals, and selling industrial raw materials are the correct path for the colonial economy.

Claus thought for a while and said: "After the immigration work is over, it will take another five years to achieve a preliminary balance of payments.

It takes a long time to recover the cost of invested capital, and it may take 20 years, or even longer. "

This is a big problem facing the colonial government. The high investment of the Central American colonies has aroused many opposition voices in the country.

Unlike the development of African colonies, there are many beneficiaries in the country, and the losses are not so serious.

There were only a small number of immigrants from the Central American colonies, and most of them were immigrants absorbed from the United States, and these people were the beneficiaries.

Many people in the government are criticizing the Central American strategy, demanding that the power invested in the Central American region be withdrawn and invested in the African continent.

However, under Franz's strong request, he was suppressed.However, the voices attacking the Central American colonial government have never stopped. Hummel urgently needs to make achievements to prove to everyone the correctness of opening up the Central American colonies.

It is very difficult to achieve this. First of all, the strategic value will not be reflected in the short term. Otherwise, there will not be so many people who have opinions.

Economically, it is a pity that it is still in a state of net loss.Even after calculating the hidden benefits, the colonial government was still at a loss.

It is not even possible to provide domestic industrial raw materials. There is no shortage of industrial raw materials produced in these areas in Austria.

Chapter 36 The Abacus of the Junkers

Schönbrunn Palace, where Franz is still waiting for the outcome of the American Civil War.As for the controversy caused by the high expenditure of the Central American colonies, he didn't take it to heart at all.

The wool came from the sheep, there were no Central American colonies, and Austria could not make large profits in the American Civil War, and now these profits were spent on the construction of the Central American colonies.

Since the Americans paid the bill, why should he feel distressed?

It is already a big profit to be able to get the Central American region and drive a nail in the back garden of the Americans.

Although the Panama region has not been acquired, its influence has already spread.Franz's goal is only to delay the opening of the Panama Canal, just to cause damage, not necessarily to occupy land.

The height of the station is different, and the way of looking at the problem is naturally different.Franz's definition of overseas colonies has always been: the current stage of raw material production + market, the future Austrian economy + political power radiation circle.

In fact, the British have done a good job in this regard, and the strategic concept of the Commonwealth of Nations is still very successful.The only problem is that the United States and the Soviet Union are too powerful, and Britain has fallen again.

Weakness is the original sin, and Britain's strength is weak, so the Commonwealth of Nations will naturally not be able to play the expected role.However, some economic and political interests are still retained, which is better than nothing.

Austria can completely follow suit. The unique system of the Holy Roman Empire is naturally prepared for this situation.

The enfeoffment of states or autonomous provinces not only takes into account the interests of all parties, but also maintains national unity.As long as the central government is strong enough, the empire is unbreakable.

……

Foreign Minister Weisenberg said: "Your Majesty, I just received news that a large-scale rebellion broke out in Russian Poland three days ago."

The Russian Empire launched a rebellion, which can only be regarded as a trivial matter.Since the reforms of Alexander II, it has happened several times almost every year.

If it is the rebellion in Poland, then the situation is different.Since the three countries carved up Poland, the Polish issue has become an issue closely related to the three countries of Russia, Opus, and Russia.

Poland has also been awesome, but it's easy to drift away when people are proud. There is no doubt that Poland has drifted away. Germany and Russia have become their hunting grounds.

It didn't matter when Poland was strong, but unfortunately, in the late 18th century, the Kingdom of Poland declined, and its good neighbor Russia became stronger again.

Under the effect of hatred + interests, the three countries of Russia, Prussia and Austria jointly decided to carve up Poland to solve this enemy once and for all, and the awesome big Bobo died.

As the leading brother, Russia captured 62% of Poland's territory, occupying more than 46 square kilometers; Prussia captured 20% of Poland's territory, occupying approximately 14.11 square kilometers; Austria captured 18% of Poland's territory, occupying approximately 12.18 square kilometers square kilometers.

Since there is an awesome history, the Poles naturally cannot tolerate being ruled by the three countries.After entering the 19th century, the Polish independence movement was also an important part of European history.

At this time, it is time to test the ruling ability of various countries.There is no doubt that the Prussians have been engaged in the Germanization movement for decades, and Austria is also engaged in national integration. Russia, which did nothing, was shot.

After obtaining the largest land and population in Poland, but not digesting it, coupled with the decadent rule of the tsarist government, Russian Poland became the base camp of the Polish independence movement.

However, rebellion is also contagious, and although Austrian Poland has been very stable, close attention is also necessary.

Franz asked: "Is there any foreign power involved?"

No one in continental Europe is willing to see the successful reform of the tsarist government, including Austria. A decaying Russian Empire is in the interests of all parties.

The most typical example is during the reform period of the tsarist government, when raising funds from the outside world was resisted by the capital market.In addition to the bad reputation of the tsarist government, the political stance of various countries is also an important factor.

With the existence of the Russia-Austria alliance, Austria will not directly stab the Russians, and other European countries will not necessarily, especially Russia's sworn enemy John Bull.

Foreign Minister Weisenberg replied: "Yes, and it's not just one family. According to the information we have collected, it can be preliminarily judged that both Britain and France have funded Polish independence organizations, and the Prussian government has also provided them with help.

In addition, many European countries have secretly provided convenience to Polish independence organizations.

Polish independence organizations have been very active recently, looking for diplomatic support everywhere.Including Polish independence organizations also appeared in the country, and the anti-Russian faction provided them with cover. "

Franz rubbed his forehead, sure enough.I have to admire the ability of the Russians to sow hatred. Even with the Russia-Austria alliance, the momentum of the anti-Russia faction in Austria is still not small.

It can be said that if he changes his pro-Russian diplomatic stance today, the anti-Russian faction can become the mainstream of Austria tomorrow.

This is the fault of the Russians themselves. After the signing of the Russia-Austria alliance, they often regarded themselves as the boss, which naturally caused dissatisfaction among many people.

Especially after Austria grew stronger, the voices of dissatisfaction became even higher.Franz pretended not to know anything. The Russia-Austria alliance cannot be torn up now, and he will not cultivate the so-called pro-Russia faction either.

Needless to say, Franz also knows that many European countries secretly supporting the Polish independence organization also include Austria.As long as the Russian-Austrian alliance is not being destroyed on the surface, Franz encourages everyone to play their own initiative.

If it were not for the fear that the growth of the Polish independence organization would threaten the security of Austrian Poland, it is estimated that there would be more people in the Vienna government supporting Polish independence.

Franz thought for a while and said: "Warning the anti-Russian faction in the country, let them restrain themselves, and don't let the Russians get caught.

Even if you want to drag the Russians back, it is best to arrange a few vests, so as not to involve us. "

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Weisenberg replied that he was the last thing to want trouble.Once a diplomatic conflict is triggered, he, the foreign minister, is finally responsible for wiping his ass.

……

In Berlin, Ron, the Minister of War and the Minister of the Navy, has been restless recently.Ever since he learned that the Junker nobles planned to make Poland independent, he was very disturbed.

From the beginning of the Great Revolution, the anti-Russian faction within the Kingdom of Prussia had the upper hand. The Polish independence plan was proposed at that time, and the main purpose was to create conditions for Prussia to unify the German region.

It was just suppressed by William Frederick IV, and the plan was stranded without limit.With this delay, the situation in Europe changed. With the revival of Austria, the chance of Prussia to unify the German region disappeared.

In order to change the diplomatic passivity, there was a call in the Prussian government to improve the relationship between Russia and Prussia, and Bismarck was one of the leaders.

It is a pity that Bismarck was assassinated in St. Petersburg and died. The tsarist government was perfunctory and casually took the Polish Independence Organization as the top of the tank, which once again triggered a wave of anti-Russia.

Of course, these reasons are not enough to make the Junker nobles provoke the Russians. The Russian Empire, which is strong from the outside, is also very scary, at least Prussia can't afford it.

The main reason that really prompted them to make this decision was the opening of the Indochina Peninsula colony.Although it only occupied the Phnom Penh dynasty, this still brought considerable benefits to the Prussian government.

At this time, the Junker nobles were divided. Some nobles who had obtained rich returns in overseas colonial activities stood with the capitalists and advocated increasing investment in the navy.

Most of these Junker nobles who support overseas colonization are capital Junker nobles, also known as: Oceanic Junker nobles.

Another part of the traditional Junker nobles, that is, the Continental Junker nobles, are worried that after the strategic focus shifts to the sea, their dominant position in the army will no longer exist.

After all, army officers were almost monopolized by the Junker nobles.Junker nobles have been receiving professional military training since they were young. In terms of professionalism, even if it is a fair competition, it is not comparable to civilian officers who have become monks halfway through.

It's different when it comes to the sea. Although the current navy is directly transferred from the army, the Junkers still dominate.

But in practice they found that an excellent army officer is not equal to an excellent naval officer.After many army officers enter the navy, they are not competent for their jobs.

The rigidity of the Germans played a role, if you can't do it, you can get out.Without waiting for others to do it, they drove these unqualified officers back to the army.

When someone goes down, someone goes up, and the number of civilian officers in the navy is increasing day by day.Once the navy has become the center of gravity of the Kingdom of Prussia, it will be difficult for them to maintain their dominance over the army.

For their own benefit, the Continental Junker nobles had to hold back the navy.To develop the navy, it is necessary to guarantee their control over the army.

To put it simply, it is to slow down the development of the navy until they train the next generation to be qualified naval officers.

This kind of weird idea is still very popular among Junker nobles.In their view, it's only a few years of work, and it doesn't matter if it is delayed.

Planning Poland's independence is only the first step. Only when the Russians are overwhelmed can they have a chance to seize the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein.

This is a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Seizing the two principalities can not only increase the strength of Prussia, but also weaken the Russians, and by the way, resolve the domestic land and sea disputes.

Anyway, as long as there is a war on land, the military expenditure will inevitably be tilted towards the army, and the development of the navy will naturally be delayed.

After a few years, the naval officers of Junker noble origin also graduated from school. Letting these own people enter the navy and take power is the best choice to protect their own interests.

The plan seemed perfect, and for safety reasons, they also found British and French top cylinders.Even if the plan fails, on the surface Prussia is not deeply involved, and if the Russians want to make trouble, it is also a bad luck for the British and French.

Ron asked: "Moltke, do you think this plan is likely to succeed?"

Chief of the General Staff Mao Qi replied: "Your Excellency, I can't answer this question. The Russians have great achievements, and it is still unknown how much trouble a single Poland can bring them.

Although Britain and France promised to support the Polish independence organization, no one knows how much they are willing to spend.

We also have to consider the reaction of the Austrians, if they support the Russians, then the Polish independence movement has a lower chance of success.

We can't wait for Poland's independence to succeed, their chances of winning are too low.The best option is to let the Poles hold off the Russians and cover our capture of the two duchies.

As long as we occupy the two duchies before the Russians solve the Poles and create established facts, the Tsarist government will have nothing to do with us. "

This rough plan came from the Prussian General Staff.As a member of the Junker nobles, Moltke also did not want to see the Junker nobles decline.

In order not to leave an opportunity for the bourgeoisie, they had to undertake a strategic adventure.If the operation is good, it may be possible to swallow the Kingdom of Denmark in one go, changing Prussia's passive situation on the European continent in one fell swoop.

It can be said that the French set an example for them and inspired the ambitions of the Prussians.

Chapter 37 A Deliberate Revolt

After Alexander II succeeded to the throne, he set off reforms in the country. In order to win the support of the Poles, the ruling methods in the Polish region were eased.

The tsarist government pardoned Polish political prisoners and allowed the organization of Polish medical schools and agricultural associations in Warsaw.

In 1863, Alexander II restored the Council of Faith and Public Education, which had been abolished 20 years earlier.At the same time, the tsarist government also allowed the convening of a conference of state representatives. (consulting)

(Remarks: The succession time of Alexander II was delayed, and the reform time was also delayed. Many times in the book have changed from history)

These concessions by the tsarist government satisfied the Polish bourgeoisie and aristocracy.The convening of the State Council gave them a channel to exert influence on domestic politics.

Happiness has always been compared. Compared with the reforms of the tsarist government and the reforms of Austria more than ten years ago, they are much happier than their companions in Galicia.

You must know that during the European Revolution in 1848, the nobles and capitalists in Galicia were too active, so most of them were hacked to death by rioting peasants, and the remaining half were dealt with by the Vienna government because they were involved in the rebellion. Lost.

Those who survived were either prudent, or the diehard Habsburg family, who stood firmly on the side of the emperor.

With lessons learned from the past, the nobles and capitalists of Russian Poland lowered their expectations.In case the tsarist and imperial government broke their faces, they believed that the consequences would definitely be more serious.

At least the Vienna government will find a reasonable excuse to act within the rules, while the Tsarist government does not need it.

Franz is a master who bullies the weak and fears the strong, and most of the people who kill him by himself are unfounded and notorious capitalists.

For the nobles, the land is usually bought by force, and the title will only be deprived if the circumstances are serious, and the matter of destroying people is never personally done.

The compromise between the Tsarist government and the Poles has aroused the attention of the governments in Berlin and Vienna. Many people worry that this is the prelude to Russian expansion in Europe.

That's all for the Vienna government, Austria's strength is not what it used to be, and with the Russian-Austrian alliance, the chances of the Russians making a big move against Austria are infinitely zero.

The Berlin government can't do it. In the eyes of the anti-Russian faction, the Russian-Polish compromise is closely related to the tsarist government's plan to seize the territory of Poland.

It is uncertain when this plan was first drawn up.In the First Pudan War, the tsarist government leaked, whether intentionally or not, its plans to seize Prussia.

Because of the existence of this plan, after Austria launched the Unification War, the Kingdom of Prussia hesitated to take action and missed the opportunity to annex North Germany.

At that time, the tsarist government deployed 20 troops on the border between the two countries, and Nicholas I sent someone to encourage Prussia to take action. As a result, the more the tsarist government encouraged Frederick William IV, the less he dared to move.

No way, Mao Xiong's reputation is too bad.With the Russian-Austrian alliance, the Berlin government is worried that once the main force is dispatched, it will be attacked jointly by Russia and Austria.

The Vienna government also has a plan to carve up Prussia between Russia and Austria. Although it is just a smoke bomb released by Franz, the Berlin government dare not gamble.

Fighting at home, whether it is facing an Austrian attack or a Russian attack, the Kingdom of Prussia can last for a long time, waiting for the intervention of European countries.

Cross-border combat is different. The Kingdom of Prussia has not yet displayed the invincible momentum of later generations. The performance in the first Pudan War made the Berlin government feel unconfident.

After learning of the compromise between the Tsarist government and the Poles, the Berlin government immediately started public relations, hoping that the Tsarist government would change its position on the Poles.

Prime Minister Frank said to people in private: "I sympathize with the situation of the Poles, but we also have to survive. There is no way but to let them die."

His attitude is also the position of the Prussian government, and it has become the national policy of the Prussian government to do everything possible to destroy the compromise between the Tsarist government and the Poles.

In the mid-60s, Polish society in the Conference Kingdom faced two choices.

First, cooperate with the tsarist government, which can bring some relief to national oppression, as well as some incomplete social reforms.

Second, cooperate with the Russian Revolutionary Movement Organization and work together to overthrow the rule of the Tsarist government.

Obviously, although choosing the second method can obtain funding from European countries, the success rate of rebellion has never been high. The possibility of becoming a hero is far greater than that of becoming a hero, and it is not the choice of the propertied class.

The Polish Independence Movement Organization was unable to obtain the support of the nobles and capitalists, and they turned to win over workers and peasants.

Under the manipulation of the British, as early as the end of 1862, the Polish Independence Organization and the Russian Revolutionary Organization signed an agreement to jointly oppose the rule of the Tsarist government.

The agreement stipulates that once the Polish independence organization launches an uprising, the Russian Revolutionary Organization will provide them with support, and will also launch an uprising in the country at the right time.