Chapter 5 Second and third attempts to form the German Customs Union (Part 2)

Author: Seven Years Period

Chapter 5 Second and third attempts to form the German Customs Union (Part 2)

Back in time before the nobles approached the French, the nobles could not attack directly because of the existence of Hainau.

After all, no one wants to try it. This mad dog's knife is either good or bad.

As a result, the big nobles repeated their old tricks and publicized Austria's ambitions for the three South German countries. The three kings of South Germany showed no concern, and officials began to ask whether they could retain their official positions and salaries after joining Austria.

The three southern German countries of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden chose to lie down out of helplessness. After the Napoleonic Wars, France was not weakened much. The situation sandwiched between the two lions of France and Austria has still not been broken.

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On the contrary, the Napoleonic Wars caused great damage to the rule of the three southern German countries. Although the three southern German countries were victorious, their strength did not strengthen, but suffered a huge decline.

Coupled with Prussia's acquisition of the Rhineland, this evil wolf's sense of oppression over South Germany was increasing day by day.

At this time, the three southern German countries had no access to the sea and were agricultural countries. If they wanted to develop themselves, they could only rely on the powerful countries around them that were eyeing them.

It is never easy to seek skin from a tiger.

Austria once used them as a bulwark against France; the French used them as gunmen, and their expedition to Russia almost drained the three South German countries and destroyed tens of thousands of troops in the ice and snow of Russia; the Prussians supported them just to

Let them weaken Austria. As for the cost, it is natural for them to understand.

The domestic people, the aristocracy, and even the capitalists have long been dissatisfied with this incompetent government. Everyone hopes to change the status quo and have a strong country to protect their lives and property. A unified country, a unified market,

is their most urgent need.

This is why South Germany has become the main gathering place for the Greater German faction.

The Habsburg family was once the royal family of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Austrian Empire is now the chairman of the German Confederation. The fastest way to unify Germany seems to be to rely on the authority of Austria and the Habsburg family.

On the other hand, the reputation of the Habsburg family is pretty good. The status and property of the nobles can be guaranteed, and they can even get a good compensation. This is of great significance to those nobles with serious overall financial deficits.

lure.

Wouldn't it be nice to take advantage of the change of power to kill a group of creditors?

Austrian law stipulates that officials must understand German. This is a great benefit for officials and young talents from the three southern German countries. A larger country means more jobs.

After all, the number of Austria's main ethnic groups is very insufficient compared to its size.

The conspiracies of the great aristocrats cannot succeed, so they can only rely on scheming, which is to play with public opinion.

However, Menet was well prepared and went to Archbishop Rauscher to explain the pros and cons before the negotiation.

At the negotiation table, a group of church bishops came uninvited. Facing this group of magicians, the Austrian nobles could not stand up. After all, the only ones who could defeat the Kshatriyas were the Brahmins.

"Public opinion? Who said that public opinion is against joining the German Zollverein?" the Archbishop of Linz said with some disdain.

The aristocratic staff who were so arrogant just now were immediately reduced to eggplants. Only one young man whispered, "This is the conclusion we reached after our investigation."

"Oh?" The Archbishop of Linz couldn't help but smile, "Which diocese are you from? My child."

The surrounding bishops looked at each other and laughed. However, the aides of these great nobles could not laugh.

"The parish of Bohemia," answered the young man.

"Okay, kid." Archbishop Linz turned to Archbishop Polslu, "Your Bohemian Diocese should hold a vote and let this kid see the results."

At this time, the church still held considerable weight in the Austrian Empire. It might be difficult for the church members to hand over their property to fight the enemy, but it could still be done in minutes by manipulating a vote.

"Well, who still objects now, we accept the Catholic brothers in South Germany." Archbishop Rauscher's words were even more explicit, and there was no lack of contempt in them.

The relationship between the church and the nobility was not very good in this era, especially the new nobility engaged in industry and commerce. Because they refused to pay tithes and refused to pay tithes for their employees.

Especially after the implementation of religious freedom in the Austrian Empire, the nobility and the church gradually parted ways. The church was dependent on the state, while the nobility hoped to gain more power.

Of course, there is both opposition and cooperation between the nobility and the church. Many bishops are from aristocratic backgrounds. At the same time, many nobles will send their second sons and daughters who cannot be exchanged for good dowries to the church to avoid the division of property.

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Moreover, when it comes to manipulating public opinion, the great nobles are really no match for the church.

In the face of the church, no big noble is willing to come forward to seek such bad luck. The only way he can think of is to drag his feet.

Metternich had already anticipated the procrastination tactics used by the great nobles, but he did not think that these nobles could do anything else. The most they could do was start a local uprising. He had already ordered Count Latour, the Minister of War, to

Pay close attention to domestic trends.

However, Metternich still underestimated the lower limit of this group of great nobles.

Soon after, a letter and two hundred thousand francs were placed on the desk of French Cabinet Minister Guizot.

"Dear Monsignor Guizot."

"The great France is suffering from a shameless conspiracy, and the despicable Germans are preparing to unite to fight against the great French Empire. The evil Prince Metternich plans to use an alliance to gradually annex the three southern German countries."

"Once the German conspiracy succeeds, the balance of power in Europe will inevitably be broken. The haze of war will once again cover the sky of Europe, for freedom and peace."

"I hope you can save kind and innocent people from the baptism of war."

——Truly peace-loving Europeans

The British also received similar letters, but before the British had time to respond, the French took action first.

Guizot immediately sent a note to the three South German countries under the guise of Marshal Soult's order, requiring the three South German countries not to join the Customs Union organized by Austria, otherwise he would retain the power to use force to dissolve the alliance.

The leaders of the three South German countries immediately panicked and quickly recalled the envoys sent to Austria for negotiation. In response to France's note, the main war faction headed by Count Latour, Minister of War, advocated immediately gathering troops and notifying the Holy Alliance countries to do something.

Mobilization for war against France.

The great nobles warned the emperor that now Austria's treasury is empty and its troops are insufficient. The most important thing is to go to war with the French. Austria will bear the brunt and will definitely suffer huge losses. If you don't want the tragedy of the Napoleonic Wars to happen again, the best way is not to fight.

"You cowards! Do you think that because you are a coward, the French can't see you? France is powerful, but have you forgotten who defeated it?" Count Latour has a hot temper. As an anti-French man,

As a veteran, what he can't bear the most is the increase in prestige of the French.

"Latour! You fool, you have no money, do you want to go to the battlefield by yourself? Besides, just because of Bavaria, Baden, and Württemberg, we will shed the last drop of Austrian blood?" Wendy Gorets

The prince retorted.

"Ferdinand (the name of Prince Windigorets), this is not for others! The French have bullied us at our doorstep. This is something that no soldier can tolerate."

"The duty of a soldier is to obey and serve the country, not for your bullshit dignity."

The two sides were at war with each other, and Francis II was wavering in the middle. To be honest, he was very disgusted with France, but the Napoleonic War brought him too many bad memories, and he was a little scared.

At this time, bad news came: an uprising broke out in Bohemia to protest against the entry of South German goods into Bohemia.

The local garrison could not suppress the attack and asked Vienna for help.

Francis II made the decision to stop the formation of the South German Customs Union and make every effort to suppress domestic rebellions.

After the emperor left, Count Latour glared at Prince Windigorets and said, "How dare you!"

All discerning people know that Bohemia has 80,000 regular troops, which is enough to suppress an uprising.
Chapter completed!