Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

The German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire formed an alliance!

The news shocked the world.

You must know that the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire have been at odds with each other for a long time. Even the Kingdom of Prussia, the predecessor of the German Empire, was the little brother of the Austrian Empire, the predecessor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, Prussia only took seven weeks to launch a war against the Austrian Empire in 1867, and reached Vienna. In the end, Franz Joseph I finally "begged for mercy" and surrendered. The Austrian Empire, the original boss of the German Confederation, was replaced by the Kingdom of Prussia, and even Austria He was kicked out of the group and became a loner.

A leading boss was ousted and driven away by his younger brother. This humiliating history, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was actually willing to form an alliance with the German Empire at this time.

With the German Empire's army strength now leading Europe, and the defeated Austro-Hungarian Empire, it goes without saying that the German Empire will definitely be the boss in this alliance.

On June 10, 1881, Bismarck and Duke Rainer Ferdinand jointly stated publicly in Vienna that the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire would form a joint fleet in South America, stationed in Southern Mexico, which is currently occupied by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Yucatan Peninsula, German Guiana that France compensated the German Empire in 1871, and the Uruguayan naval port built by the German Empire as a South American ally.

Both sides will deploy a fleet of no less than 10 standard advanced warships to safeguard the interests of the two countries in Latin America.

Bismarck: "This German-Austrian combined fleet will conduct joint exercises with the Brazilian Empire, Argentina, and the Commonwealth of the United States within an appropriate time."

According to reports from Germany's "Berlin Times" and Austria-Hungary's "Crown", Bismarck and Archduke Rainer Ferdinand emphasized in Vienna that the two countries would remain neutral in their fight with Italy, Brazil, Argentina, the Commonwealth of the United States and the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Countries work together to ensure that the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions remain free, open and prosperous shipping lanes.

The two also said that for Germany and Austria-Hungary, "our participation in these areas is very important."

June 10, 1881 was the opening day of the Balkan Summit, which was led by the Netherlands and included Tsarist Russia, Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Greece, the Ottoman Empire, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. The summit involving many countries has triggered a backlash from other countries such as Britain and Germany before it even started.

Everyone is paying attention to how the Netherlands, as the host, will face such violent counterattacks from the two absent powers, Britain and Germany.

In addition, German Prime Minister Bismarck and Austro-Hungarian Prime Minister Archduke Rainer Ferdinand held a joint press conference. Many people in Vienna and many places across the Austro-Hungarian Empire went directly to local governments to protest, especially the Embassy of the German Empire in Vienna. , the number of people protesting against the alliance between the two countries reached more than 100,000. They opposed the alliance between the two countries. The placards read: "Don't ally with the thieves of the Austro-Hungarian Empire" and "Austro-Hungary should not forget its Seven Weeks War." Who is the enemy?" "German ambition is a threat to Austria-Hungary."

"Obviously, there are many people in the Austro-Hungarian Empire who are opposed to Hong Kong's alliance with Berlin. Moreover, the Austro-Hungarian government is not willing to block this window. I think this shows that Vienna wants to use this action to express Austria-Hungary's wishes to the Russian Empire and other countries. The empire’s helplessness. Ask for forgiveness from other countries.”

At Buckingham Palace, Queen Victoria listened to the judgment of her private secretary and second daughter, Princess Alice.

“Mother, at this time, the news of the alliance between the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire has shocked the world.

Originally, we wanted to win over the German Empire to stand on our side when Britain and the Netherlands were fighting, but Bismarck readily agreed when he visited us last time.

We also agreed to the other party's "invasion" in Latin America and signed a treaty for cooperation. But in the blink of an eye, he returned to Berlin and moved to Vienna to form an alliance with Austria-Hungary, and using the bargaining chip we gave him, To persuade, coerce, and lure Vienna, the latter had to agree to form an alliance.

It can be seen that the ambitions of the German Empire are beginning to be exposed. It is good that we have a fight with the Netherlands, especially the fight between the largest maritime powers. However, if the German Empire on the European continent is allowed to further take advantage of the fight between our two countries and take advantage of the opportunity to grow, At that time, the German Empire would be more difficult to deal with than the Tsarist Russian Empire. After all, the Tsarist Russian Empire was just a lone traveler. However, under the operation of Bismarck, the German Empire had fewer allies than the Netherlands, but it gained support from all camps.

This Germany, despite being the place of my maternal grandmother and eldest sister, Princess Victoria. However, after observing these years, Berlin's defense against us has never dropped. Judging from the education of my nephew, the grandson of Emperor William, who directly followed Bismarck instead of his mother or father, we know that William I and Bismarck suppressed The eldest sister prevents the next generation of the country's monarch from becoming pro-British. "

Queen Victoria listened to her second daughter's analysis, although she was reluctant in her heart, but she had to say that this analysis was almost accurate.

"According to what Alice said, Bismarck completely took advantage of the situation to complete his diplomatic transformation and then formed an alliance with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This was showing his fangs.

Have you ever thought about the reason why Bismarck and William I no longer had any scruples and chose this time to put the alliance on the table, were they not afraid of the backlash between us and the Netherlands? "

Queen Victoria said: "If you don't understand this, then your analysis is actually not valid."

Princess Alice's mind was running rapidly, but even though she tried her best, she still didn't think of the reason.

Suddenly, she saw Queen Victoria's frowning expression, and combined with the question just now, it was obvious that her mother knew what the answer was.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and asked directly: "Does mother know the reason?"

Queen Victoria raised her head, then glanced at the other party with a calm look, and exclaimed: "Bismarck has always liked the art of combining vertical and horizontal lines. He was able to rise rapidly in Berlin back then because he understood that William I needed him. William I's acceptance of the Kingdom of Prussia from his brother was also a mess. The parliament that restricted the king was the plight of William I who had just come to power. Bismarck saw this from the beginning, so after becoming a member of the Prussian Parliament, he has been advocating for the king to be... representative of rights.

Eventually he became a representative of the royalist faction and the darling of the conservative royalist Juncker aristocracy. "

"This is Bismarck's approach and sophistication more than 20 years ago. In the past 20 years, this guy's methods have become even more sophisticated."

Princess Alice couldn't help but ask: "Where is the cleverness?"