Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

Therefore, when many radicals in Germany advocated that Prussia abrogate the 1852 London Protocol and take back the two principalities, Bismarck just right declared in the Prussian Parliament that he would never participate in such a violation of international obligations.

After that, Bismarck proposed a motion in the German Confederation Parliament and finally passed the agreement.

Seeing this, Austria, in order to avoid losing the hearts and minds of the German Confederation, eventually fell into Bismarck's trap, and could only reach an agreement to jointly send troops to occupy Holstein.

As Hanover and Saxony's 12,000 troops confronted Denmark in Holstein for half a month, as the German Confederation formally adopted the agreement, Austria and Prussia each sent more than 20,000 troops, and other principalities also participated. An army of more than 60,000 men marched toward Holstein on July 28.

Christian IX wanted to clearly prove that Denmark did not want to hold on to this member state of the German Confederation.

Also, as he had previously announced, he was willing to give up Holstein.

He ordered the Danish army to retreat northward to the border between Schleswig and Schleswig.

On July 23, 1864, the combined army of the German Confederation completely occupied Holstein.

Due to the abolition of the London Protocol by King Christian IX of Denmark, it was difficult for countries to find excuses to interfere with the actions of the German Confederation, so they could only continue to wait and see.

But even if there are no excuses, countries still have to stand up and express their stance.

"I hope Denmark and the German Confederation can avoid war, otherwise it will be a disaster for Europe."

Although Tsarist Russia is now in a period of weakness after the Crimean War, their stance still has great power. The German Confederation Parliament even asked the army in Holstein not to advance towards Schleswig.

Sure enough, as they predicted, UK and European troublemakers also came forward.

"The interests of the British Empire in the Baltic Sea must be protected by all countries. We will not tolerate the infringement of British interests. Therefore, the British will send a navy to patrol the Baltic Sea."

As a member of Denmark's former Kalmar League, Sweden naturally does not want to see Denmark being bullied.

When Karl XV accepted the parliament, he said: "We ask all parties to calm down and think about how to resolve the current conflicts. Force cannot solve all problems. Sweden supports Christian IX's succession to the Danish throne."

But it is a pity that Karl XV has just finished speaking.

Unexpectedly, a few days later, the Swedish Parliament chose to overturn Karl XV's draft requesting Sweden to prepare to send troops to support Denmark. This greatly disappointed Karl XV and Denmark.

But seeing the reason for the veto by the parliament, I felt helpless.

Because, they are justified. The reason is that the situation developed like this after King Christian IX of Denmark abrogated the London Protocol, which Sweden signed. This has nothing to do with the nature of the covenant between Denmark and Sweden, but Sweden's participation in the dispute. At that time, justice was missing.

As the Swedish Parliament rejected Karl XV's draft proposal to support Denmark, it was exposed internationally. Afterwards, the world was in awe, but there was no way to blame the Swedish Parliament.

Because it was indeed Denmark that violated the agreement first.

Therefore, although the Danish government expressed disappointment, there was no follow-up.

The Dutch government said, "We do not want to see war in Central Europe, because war means death and heavy economic and military losses for various countries. Denmark is a close partner of the Netherlands, Prussia is a close ally of the Netherlands, and the German Confederation is a friend of the Netherlands. Neighbors, even the Dutch Duchy of Luxembourg was a member of the German Confederation,

The Netherlands is neutral in its position and does not support any party. The Netherlands is willing to provide a place for peaceful negotiations and contribute to the negotiations between the two parties. "

With the statements of various countries, the German Confederate Army slowed down.

Austria even issued an order to suspend its advance.

Vienna was in a disadvantageous position at this time. It not only maintained tenuous ties with Prussia, but also the Hungarians were very opposed to Austria's participation in the Danish War.

They firmly opposed Austria's expansion of its influence in the German Confederation, and especially opposed Austria's military actions.

Hungarian political giant Diak Ferenc warned: "Their war is not our war"

Hungary even opposed Franz Joseph I's idea of ​​Hungary sending troops for this reason, which also further reduced Austria's influence within the German Confederation.

Archduke Rainer Ferdinand and Joseph I even suspected that this was the work of the Prussians. However, because Austria did not want to add another enemy to the German Confederation, Austria could only pretend not to hear Hungary's complaints. Keep face.

It can be seen that there is also a turbulent crisis hidden within Germany.

Bismarck's settlement of the matter of Duke Augustenberg was only a private matter. On the surface, he pretended not to mention the succession issue of Duke Augustenberg and raised the issue that the two principalities should be freed from Denmark and returned to Germany.

In solving this problem, as Austrian and Prussian troops were stationed in Holstein, he privately expressed to the Austrian ambassador in Berlin that Prussia excluded Hanover and Saxony and the German Confederation Parliament, promising that Prussia and Austria should implement the control of these two Duchy's mission.

He told the ambassador that Prussia and Austria could form an offensive and defensive alliance within the German Confederation, and scolded some people who said that Berlin wanted to take over the two principalities and turn them into two provinces of Prussia.

He also assured the Austrian ambassador that there was no such thing and firmly rejected the possibility of this problem occurring in Prussia.

As the possibility of war between Denmark and the German Confederation grew, William IV called a council of four.

In addition to William IV, these four people include Prime Minister Tolbeck, Military Chief of Staff Mark Rudd, and Foreign Minister Hesbert von.

"What the German Confederation does to Denmark today is likely to be what the Netherlands does to us in the future."

Mark Rudd said worriedly:

"The power of the German Confederation is too great. If it were a whole, I believe Britain, Tsarist Russia and even France would have to form an alliance to deal with them together."

"So they will not allow this to happen."

Prime Minister Tolbeck said:

"Germany seems to be strong now, but in fact it is strong on the outside and weak on the inside. It is just a showpiece."

Hesbert Feng also said:

"Yes, they are currently fighting fiercely among themselves. In the North German Confederation alone, Hanover follows Prussia economically, but politically and militarily, Hanover has close relations with Britain, and the same is true between Bavaria and Austria in the south.

However, with the rise of Bismarck, Prussia seems to have planned so carefully that now Austria can no longer suppress Prussia's rise. Your Majesty, I am worried that Prussia's lead this time will turn its head to us in the future."