Chapter 63: Shift of strategic focus

Franz was not in a hurry to say that he wanted to integrate all the Austrian nationalities together, but it was not that simple. It is estimated that most people are unacceptable except for the civilians who do not know what the nationality is.
If you can't get everyone's heartfelt approval to make a nominal Austrian, the final result may be very embarrassing.
Nationalism originated in Europe in the 18th century. In order to break theocracy and feudalism, the nationalist movement initiated by the bourgeoisie.
The victory of the bourgeois revolution from 1789 to 1871 and the establishment of the nation-state system were driven by nationalism.
South-Eastern Europe is relatively conservative, and almost all nationalism was born under the ideological output of the great powers.
For example, Hungarian nationalism was exported by the French. It has just begun now. After they have absorbed ordinary people, the Hungarian people of later generations will really take shape.
In the middle of the 19th century, the Tsarist government launched a "pan-Slavism" in order to initiate the war of aggression, and nationalism spread to the Balkans, and the fuse of the World War also started.
"Mr. Carl, what if we build an Austrian people?
Do we withdraw from the German region and build a separate Austrian empire? Asked Prime Minister Felix with a frown.
The window paper was ripped, and the atmosphere in the room was instantly suppressed.
"As early as the demise of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, Austria became independent from the German region, can we now build the Holy Roman Empire again?" Karl asked in turn.
"It is impossible to unify the German region. Austria can be independent outside the German region, but we cannot give up Germany. This is a matter of principle.
It is obviously not desirable to replace one nation with all nations in Austria. Even if we do not agree with ourselves, it is feasible to downplay the concept of nation and emphasize Austria. "Metternich said with a serious attitude
Franz frowned. Sure enough, everyone was an opposition. In this era, the crisis of a multi-ethnic country has not been recognized. For a long time, governments of various countries have used ethnic contradictions to cover up class contradictions.
At this time, Franz had to make a statement, and the Minister of Finance Karl was unable to support himself. If he did not support it, the Austrian nation would be out of business.
"We can look at this separately. All Austrian peoples together make up the Austrian Empire. Austrian peoples can also be all Austrians.
Building a nation that everyone agrees on and gradually replacing dozens of nations in Austria today will greatly reduce ethnic conflicts in our country.
Not to mention, at least the Hungarian rebellion now can be avoided. "
"His Royal Highness, even if there is no nationalism, ambitionists can use other banner names, and if they think about it, they will not lack excuses.
For this reason, we will lose our leadership in the German region. Is it worth it? Asked Grandpa Louis.
His words are very polite, if you put it another way, you will spray-stupid, coward, traitor.
The core foundation of Austria is that the Germans, at least until the completion of national integration, this situation will not change. Now that Germany has been abandoned, that is to abandon the basis of rule.
"No, Grand Duke Louis! Who said we want to give up leadership in the German region?" Franz asked back.
Before anyone can answer, Franz went on to say, "Although the German region is a piece of scattered sand, it is located in the heart of Europe. Whoever masters it will master the continent.
Unfortunately, however, we do not have the strength to unify the German region, and European countries will not tolerate the unification of the German region.
In this context, the leader of Austria, the German state, actually stays in name only. Internally we have to face the challenges of the Prussians, and externally we have to resist the pressure from various countries.
And our gains are only nominally glorious. Has Austria actually benefited from the German region?
From an investment perspective, the resources we have invested in the German region over the years have been at a net loss. Instead, the Prussians have gained a lot of benefits.
That being the case, why don't we temporarily abandon our investment in Germany and move to other regions with a higher return on investment?
As for the German region, we only need to retain Austria ’s influence. Maintaining the balance of the German region is not just a matter for our family. We divide our responsibilities to our allies, so that everyone will not be idle. "
Yes, Franz wants to shift Austria's strategic focus. If we continue to die in the German region, there will be Prussian restraint inside, and there will be French eyes on the outside.
Don't look at a bunch of Austrian brothers in the German region, responding with braces, as long as Franz dares to show the ambition of unifying Germany, the plot will soon make a 180-degree turn and become the enemy of the world.
Specifically, you can refer to his ancestor, Emperor Maximilian, who showed his ambition to unify the German region, and then ended in tragedy under the cooperation of the French and the domestic vassals.
At that time, the Habsburgs were empires that never stopped falling. They were more powerful than the current Austria. They merged the Spanish kingdom at its peak and occupied more than half of Italy. The Netherlands and Belgium were family lands.
As for whether the Austrian people will be kicked out of the German region, Franz is not worried at all.
The German princes are not stupid. Their lives will be better if Austria and Prussia restrain each other. If they are a big family, then it will be their doomsday.
After so many years of merger and reorganization, everyone knows that it is necessary to play balance. The states of North Germany moved closer to Prussia, and the states of South Germany fell to Austria.
Franz's implication is clear. It is nothing more than abandoning the long-term continental balance policy. Anyway, the "Metternich system" has collapsed. To rebuild, Austria will pay too much.
"Her Highness, are you planning to shift Austria's strategic focus to Italy?" Metternich asked with interest.
"No, Austria ’s next strategic focus is domestically. As for the Italian region, we can just kill the sardinian kingdom and kill chickens and tamarins!" Franz shook his head and said
After hearing Franz's answer, everyone was relieved. The Italian region is not so easy to move. It also involves Britain and France.
It ’s just a matter of operating the Sardinian kingdom. There is no problem. This is what the Sardinian kingdom has brought to its door. Ca n’t Austria stop fighting?
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