Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

On April 18, 1866, the Balkan Peninsula War seemed to be coming to an end. Tsarist Russia, the Ottoman Empire, and the United Kingdom all chose to stand still.

Tsarist Russia occupied Romania, and Bulgaria fell completely back into the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Rumors began to circulate in various European countries that Britain seemed to have begun sending people to St. Petersburg to prepare for peace talks. Of course, this news has not yet been officially confirmed, but it is groundless. It is obviously deliberately released by the United Kingdom or the Russian Empire.

Therefore, many people believe that the Balkan Peninsula War can finally come to an end.

As for North America, as the war progresses to the present, it seems that the strength of the country is slowly revealed.

The situation of the war is slowly developing in favor of the Northern Federal State.

The original quality and the increasingly obvious advantages of the North appeared. The originally neutral states of Dakota and Nebraska declared to support the Northern Confederate States on March 10, 1866, and joined the Northern Confederate States. 2 states.

This news shocked the south. You must know that although these two places are located in the north-central part and are deserted, they are the key to the east-west vertical and horizontal passage. This is an absolute benefit to the Northern Federation.

In addition to Oregon and California on the western Pacific coast and the two states that have always belonged to the north, and only the state of Washington in the northwest, the north can complete the connection between the east and west oceans.

This is definitely a huge advantage over the South.

So President Davis in the South was naturally unwilling to give in, so he launched an offensive against those states that were still hesitant, using coercion and inducement. In addition, with the help of Britain, France and other countries, he finally captured Arizona, which was originally pro-Confederate. , and also forced New Mexico to submit and join the Confederate States.

President Lincoln would not show weakness. Not long after, Indiana, which had been garrisoned by the Northern Confederate States after defeating the South, passively joined the Northern Confederate States.

The civil war between the two sides made Washington, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, who were still hesitating, frightened and hesitant.

These indigenous areas dominated by Indiana people originally waited for the situation to become clear before choosing to stand on the winning side. However, now that major tribes have joined the north and south, they are no longer invisible areas, but have come to the table.

So the situation is very difficult.

The capital of the Commonwealth of America, Washington.

President Lincoln looked at the information about South America in his hand.

His face was embarrassed and his eyes were filled with gloom.

Next to him were Secretary of State Seward, Vice President Andrew, Secretary of the Interior Washburn, and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.

Edwin Stanton listed the military's latest counterattack against the South.

“Folks, we have the following plans for this.

Cut off the Union Army's lines of communication so that they cannot communicate with each other.

Destroy all the enemy's resources and make it difficult for the enemy to supply logistics.

Use superior force to quickly attack the enemy, leaving him no time to breathe and reorganize his troops.

In the battle, the enemy's effective strength is constantly consumed, and the number of troops becomes less and less during the period.

After all, the population of the South is incomparable to ours, and its industry is far behind ours.

As long as we insist on implementing these policies, victory will be ours. "

However, Vice President Andrew Johnson poured cold water on him and said: "However, you seem to have forgotten that we are facing more than just one enemy. British resources are still being continuously sent across the ocean."

Stanton's expression changed, and he wanted to refute, but in the end he said nothing.

No one here thought from the beginning that Britain would support the South to the end. At that time, everyone thought that Britain was only using the South to negotiate terms with the Lincoln government, and it was to open the entire American market to Britain.

Because contact between the United Kingdom and the Lincoln government has never been broken from the beginning. However, as 30,000 British troops landed in the south to join the war some time ago, and the Confederate States annihilated nearly half of the United Kingdom, Britain's contact policy seemed to have changed. In the past few months, the Lincoln administration had cut off contact with Britain.

Instead, Britain is providing support in the south, and intelligence has come in. Recently, the support seems to have increased compared to before.

Therefore, if Stanton refutes, it will appear weak.

Seward glanced at Andrew Johnson, then glanced at Walburn, the Secretary of the Interior, from the corner of his eye. Seeing that he was there and looking confident, Seward felt unhappy.

Although Lincoln's eyes looked gloomy, he was not dissatisfied.

Seward said at this time: "British support can certainly hinder our progress, but don't forget. Generals Grant and Sherman are not vegetarians. Victory will eventually come to us in the north."

He deliberately placed Sherman, who was in the same faction as them, with Grant in order to improve the other's status.

Currently on the battlefield, Grant is the commander-in-chief and Sherman is the deputy-general.

It can be said that there is a superior-subordinate relationship, but Grant was recommended to Lincoln by Walburn, a junior, and now he is associated with Vice President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of the Interior Walburn, and Secretary of the Treasury James Speed, within the Republican Party. Liberal pragmatism.

Sherman was promoted by Secretary of War Stanton, so he became an ally of Seward. It is with the conservatives within the Republican Party.

As the first elected president since the founding of the Republic, Lincoln was convinced by both factions, but there were many contradictions and constant disputes over interests.

President Lincoln knew that, so in order to maintain balance, he chose balance within the cabinet government. Just like now, he held small meetings and used the 2+2 strategy.

Vice President Andrew Johnson sneered: "Of course we don't think we can't beat them on the battlefield. The problem is that in diplomacy, we seem to be far behind."

"You" Seward glared at Andrew Johnson angrily.

"What do the vice president mean by this? Are you questioning whether my diplomatic work is adequate?"

Andrew Johnson looked like you just understand, and said sarcastically: "There are some things that don't need to be said. Everyone knows. Just ask anyone on the street to find out what the recent diplomatic results of the Commonwealth of America are. Great powers such as Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal were hostile to the Commonwealth. Although Tsarist Russia had a good relationship with us, the Netherlands was not bad at all. Although Prussia had a favorable impression, his attitude was always unclear. He did not want to offend Britain, so he did not make his position clear.

Moreover, Tsarist Russia and the Netherlands have always been close to the north. This is a tree planted by their predecessors. I don’t understand. Where are the diplomatic achievements of Mr. Secretary of State? Haha, this is not a question asked on behalf of ourselves, but on behalf of many people, please don’t mind.”

"alright"

Lincoln stopped the topic from continuing. Although he was a little dissatisfied with Seward's efficiency, there really shouldn't be a fight at this time.

"The most important thing at the moment is how to solve the problems facing everyone. Seward, although what Johnson said is unpleasant, we do need to break through the current diplomatic dilemma. This is very important. What suggestions do you have?"

You guys should also express your opinions and see if there are any plans to solve this problem.