Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

“Will the Netherlands face Denmark’s current situation in the future?”

As Hesbert Feng expressed his worries.

Hearing this, Dutch Prime Minister Tolbeck and Dutch Chief of General Staff Mark Rudd also showed unprecedented solemnity on their faces.

The Principality of Luxembourg is also a member of the German Confederation like Holstein, and it is also a private principality belonging to the King of the Netherlands.

Holstein could be an excuse for the German Confederation to infiltrate, so would the same be true for the Duchy of Luxembourg in the Kingdom of the Netherlands?

This is a problem that the Netherlands must face.

From the looks on several people's faces when William IV saw it, it was clear that this issue had indeed been brought to the point by Hesbert Feng.

Moreover, William IV also knew the ambitions of the Prussian people. At present, Luxembourg seems to be far away from Prussia in the north, but how would the world know that from 1864 this year to 1871 a few years later, in just 7 years, Prussia By defeating Denmark (while consuming Austria's military strength), defeating Austria (driving away Austria and unifying Germany), and France (establishing land hegemony in Western and Central Europe and becoming the German Empire), the empire's three advanced wars are completed.

A unified Prussia leading a unified German Empire is more threatening to the Netherlands. Therefore, if the Netherlands wants to rise similarly, it must get rid of the German threat. It is he who wants to bring the main force of the Netherlands to develop in the Far East. The reason is to ask William IV, why didn't he defeat Prussia and replace it as early as possible before Prussia rose.

William IV had never thought of this idea. Why?

Because the rise of Prussia has its own cause and effect.

Britain, France, and Tsarist Russia all needed a strong Prussia.

Because of the centuries-old alliance between Tsarist Russia and Prussia, when Austria and Tsarist Russia had disputes, Austria needed to take into account the alliance between Prussia and Tsarist Russia.

The same is true for the UK and France.

At the same time, when the three countries faced the powerful German Confederation, they naturally did not want to force each other. What could be more effective and easier than to resolve them internally?

Finally, the ambitious Prussia, which can be regarded as a neutral power, is obviously much more useful to Britain, France and Russia when they are preparing for each other than Austria, which only talks about diplomacy every day.

To put it bluntly, compared to Austria, a smooth old man in society, Prussia, a middle-class young man who is still considered a newly rising upstart in the eyes of other countries, is more impulsive, which allows other countries to control it better.

Therefore, Prussia is supported by all countries. Haven't you seen that Russia and Prussia have been married for several generations, and now Britain is also marrying the next generation of Prussia?

Even France turned a blind eye to Prussia's successive annexations of the Rhine provinces, and watched the internal fighting between Prussia and Austria.

The Netherlands is currently too small in Europe. Its population and area are difficult to compare with other countries, so its value has dropped a lot. The UK is on the opposite coast of the Netherlands, so it is very wary of the Netherlands' maritime power. Although France is currently with The Netherlands is an ally and agreed to form the Franco-Prussian-Dutch tripartite alliance. However, on the Belgian issue, the competition between the two countries has not reduced much.

As the three southern provinces of Belgium returned to France, the two northern provinces returned to the Netherlands, and France divided one province with Prussia, the previous balance in Belgium's population and area was broken.

The Dutch population in Belgium has increased from 60% to 75%. In the provinces where the Dutch are the majority, France has an advantage of three to two.

The Netherlands definitely occupies an advantageous position. Even the current Belgian King Leopold II has changed his attitude towards the Netherlands, because as the Dutch-born Jules Danetang became the democratically elected prime minister of Belgium, the also Dutch-born Joseph Beit and took control of the Belgian House of Commons.

The Netherlands' strong position in Belgium is even comparable to that of the Belgian royal family, and it even vaguely suppressed Leopold II.

Therefore, in Belgium's current diplomacy, in addition to not harming the relationship between the special royal family of Britain and Belgium, Leopold II will almost follow the Netherlands and form a Dutch-Belgian alliance.

This made France already dissatisfied.

This can be seen from the fact that the Netherlands has not received obvious support from France on African issues.

Although I lament that it turns out that whether it is the East or the West, in the face of national interests, the covenant seems to serve the national interests at that time to decide whether to use it.

Just like Italy in later generations, its position kept jumping between World War I and World War II.

William IV's many thoughts were actually completed in an instant.

"Haven't we already taken countermeasures against the threat from the German Confederation?"

The three of them were stunned for a moment, and then thought of something.

The three of them couldn't help but ask: "Is it the Far East?"

William IV nodded, "The depth of the Netherlands is only so great, no matter how you defend it, it will be useless. When facing the powerful German Confederation, on this European continent, only Britain and Russia can use the Atlantic to deal with it."

Hesbert von: "Why doesn't Your Majesty say France?"

William IV asked Mark Rudd: "If the German Confederation attacks France, can it win?"

Mark Rudd: "According to past history, France is too strong, but just like what Prince Friedrich Carl of Prussia said when he observed French military training when he was fighting in Africa, France Cointreau began to Decayed, at the lowest level, France's army may be about the same strength as Austria, but when it comes to Prussia, it has begun to distance itself.

This is derived from the comparison of wars in African countries. I believe everyone has read the latest issue of the "Amsterdam Peace Research Institute", which published information about the comprehensive strength and military strength of various countries. This latest issue , the power was reduced to individual combat, France was no match for Prussia. "

The "Amsterdam Peace Institute" was founded in Luxembourg. It is a biannual publication about European and world military strength published every half year in January and July. It has become an authoritative publication in Europe like the "European Times" also in Luxembourg.

In this regard, it is many times more famous than the Financial Times and The Times in later generations. At least for now, the upper class in London, England, subscribe to their two local newspapers and also subscribe to Luxembourg. of the European Times and the Amsterdam Peace Institute.

In this regard, even the UK has to recognize the impartiality and authority of the European Times and the Amsterdam Peace Institute.

"France is in danger. Compared with Britain and Russia, France's depth is still a little small."

At this moment, Hesbertvon also thought so.

Following the guidance of William IV, the ministers in front of them instantly established the criticality of the Far East's strategic position to the Netherlands. At the same time, it also provided administrative urgency and speed for the Netherlands to build the Far East more quickly in the future.

This is what William IV wanted.

"Anyone who underestimates Prussia will suffer a big loss. You must be careful about Bismarck. He is not an ordinary person, especially for his role in the German Confederation's action against Denmark."

Mark Rudd asked in confusion: "Your Majesty, I don't understand why, when Prussia is so powerful, it can defeat Denmark on its own, but it still needs to unite with Austria?"

Both Tolbeck and Hesbert von were full of doubts.

William IV: "Bismarck decided to cooperate with Austria. The purpose of doing so was four-fold.

First, it concealed the ultimate goal of annexing Holstein and Schleswig.

Countries such as Britain and France opposed Prussia's annexation of the two principalities. The British Empire did not want control of the coasts of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to become the hands of a country more powerful than Denmark.

The French Empire was also unwilling to see Prussia continue to expand. Austria is more afraid of the new strength of its competitors.

Therefore, the current Prussian-Austrian joint action, from the perspective of Britain, France, Austria and other countries, is a more reliable guarantee to prevent Prussia from monopolizing the two principalities. "

Several people nodded in agreement with this statement.

William IV continued: "

Secondly, the joint Prussian-Austrian action will not only help to prevent Britain and France from possible joint intervention in the implementation of the plans of Bismarck and William I, but also resolve Austria's obstruction and prevent a recurrence of the situation in 1850 because Austria and Tsarist Russia The pressure forced Prussia to abandon the "Olmuth Agreement" of the plan to unify Germany."

The third aspect is to cooperate with Austria and incorporate it into the Prussian policy designed by Bismarck, which can allow Prussia to control any actions of Germany in the future, even including Prussia's ambitious idea of ​​agreeing to the German Confederation, if it is implemented, it will take the initiative. "

Several people were shocked when they heard this. They were all shocked by the grand plan of the Prussian cabinet led by Bismarck, and looked at William IV in disbelief.

Unify Germany?

What a crazy ambition.

But why, after listening to His Majesty William IV's detailed analysis, did I instantly feel that this idea was no longer unrealistic for Prussia led by Bismarck, but instead gained some confidence in their successful realization?

This was a position that surprised them, even them. So when those members of the Prussian cabinet faced Bismarck directly, did they support Bismarck's actions even more?

Thinking of this, several people's expressions turned bad, because this meant that the Prussian cabinet received definitely not low support for the implementation of the issue of unifying Germany. Combined with the current actions of Bismarck's cabinet, they even speculated that the plan had already It's started.

So, the Dutch government led by these people will have to face such an ambitious Prussia in the future, how can they feel at ease?

Therefore, the faces of several people were extremely solemn.

William IV: "Fourth, cooperation between Bismarck and Austria is an expedient measure. Its fundamental purpose is to use the problems of the two principalities to slowly dilute Austria's influence and damage Austria's image. Even to expel Austria in the future Germany laid the groundwork"

"Expulsion from Germany?"

Almost exclaimed!

This was sent by Hesbert Feng. He also discovered his gaffe, but the other people were not much better at this moment. Because what William IV said was so shocking.

"Yes, an Austria that is slowly no longer recognized within Germany, an Austria whose image no longer matches the leader, an Austria where many ethnic groups cannot control their own country, an Austria that is not as good as Prussia militarily and economically. , do you think everyone still wants such an insignificant Austria?"