Start 1861: I Just Inherited the Dutch Throne

"This person is not to be underestimated. Tell Washburn, although I really want to see an Irish president in the United States.

But I estimate that Seward, an Englishman, may become an obstacle for Irish people to elect the president.

Therefore, Holland felt that Siward could be more low-key. "

William Henry Seward served as the governor of New York State in 1839 and was appointed Secretary of State by Lincoln last year.

In the original world, during the Civil War between the North and the South in 1861, European kings sent troops to divide the United States.

President Lincoln thought of these countries' rival, Tsarist Russia, and sent people to ask for help from the Tsarist Russian Empire. In the end, Tsarist Russia agreed, and Britain and France retreated. In the end, the United States gave the Tsarist Russian Empire a reward of 7.2 million.

This life was completed by Washburn.

From this perspective, William IV could see how far-sighted Seward was and how perfect his strategic planning was. Just like Hawaii, when he was in charge of the U.S. State Department, he vigorously promoted the strategy of seizing Hawaii and developing the United States. On the west coast, this is an advanced deployment by people in this world. With such a character, William IV felt a little dangerous.

Such an American politician with a long-term vision, who is also a member of the establishment, is very dangerous to the Netherlands, especially when the Netherlands has interests in the Americas and Hawaii.

Therefore, William IV did not think there was anything wrong with suppressing the other party now. Instead, he discovered that if he had started the evening lessons a few years earlier, he would have saved a lot of energy.

"Since the United States has so much nonsense, why doesn't the Netherlands give them more opportunities to increase their nonsense?"

Seeing everyone looking over, William IV said with a sinister smile: "Hasn't the United States always claimed to be the master of the American continent?

Has it always claimed that European countries will not be allowed to interfere in American affairs?

Since they think that the Netherlands owns Suriname and Guyana, it is not enough to be considered an American country.

In this case, let us, the Netherlands, truly become an American country!

With the crown seat of Alaska, one of the territories closest to the United States in North America, I don’t see what else the United States can do to prevent us from interfering in American affairs.”

When the members of the Privy Council heard this, they all smiled.

Because, just last week, they received the agreement between the Russian Empire and the Netherlands on the Alaska transaction between the Russian Empire and the Netherlands. Even Alexander II had signed the contract, and the agreement had also reached the hands of William IV in Amsterdam.

Yes, the United States has always refused to allow Europe to intervene there. It believes that the Monroe Doctrine is the legal basis for preventing European countries from intervening.

Now that the Netherlands is about to enter North America and become an American country, what reason does the United States have to block the Netherlands' intervention?

Thinking about it, it seems ridiculous!

As a small fleet of battleships formed a mighty force, it started from Pearl Harbor, the newly occupied Hawaiian Islands by the Netherlands, and headed north.

After several days of sea voyage, we finally arrived at the Alaska Peninsula administered by Tsarist Russia on the last day of the month, February 28, 1862. After completing the handover with the Tsarist Russian Empire's Pacific Navy squadron stationed there, we sang the Dutch national anthem "Ode to Wilhelm". "singed the land of Alaska, and Alaska's annexation to the Netherlands was finally completed without any suspense.

On March 1st, a set of news emerged that attracted the attention of the whole world.

This news was reported by European Times.

The content is: The Russian Empire and the Netherlands held a press conference to announce this incident, and even the time and place were explained very clearly.

Everyone in the world, including the United States, the most powerful country in the Americas, is paying attention to this matter on this day.

"Signed by William IV of the Netherlands and Alexander II, Emperor of Russia, it comes into effect.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands reached a deal with the North Kalimantan Province of Kalimantan in the western Pacific, and the Alaska Peninsula and Alexander Islands on the eastern border of Tsarist Russia with the Russian Empire for a price of 1.5 million pounds.

The report introduced that Alaska has a land area of ​​1.48 million square kilometers and an ocean area of ​​230,000 nautical miles.

The newspaper also claimed that this was the largest land transaction in the world since ancient times, and the average unit price per acre was only 0.5 cents (pounds). "

As soon as this news came out, it caused a sensation all over the world, and even the sensational effect far exceeded the civil war in the United States and the Belgian election, which was the most watched in Europe. These two news items that had been occupying for many days suddenly became eclipsed.

For a time, it dominated the front pages of newspapers around the world and was the hotly discussed news.

“The biggest land deal the world has ever seen?”

"Norddeutsche Zeitung" is a newspaper in Prussia that was founded in 1760 and has been around for hundreds of years. It is the oldest newspaper in Prussia. Its influence covers the entire North German Confederation.

This was the headline on its front page on March 2, 1862.

"No one has the right to judge the merits of William IV except the Dutch, because they are the direct beneficiaries and victims.

The Netherlands actually exchanged 1.5 million pounds and a Pacific Ocean for a territory no smaller than the Netherlands itself in exchange for a piece of extremely cold and barren land. Many people are very puzzled. The Netherlands is so optimistic about it?

Regarding this transaction, after detailed investigation by this newspaper, we finally came to the final conclusion that most people in the Netherlands believe in the decision of King William IV of the Netherlands and the Dutch government.

Because the improvements in life in recent years have brought about earth-shaking changes to them.

What even makes this newspaper a little confused is that in a survey conducted by this newspaper, the people of this country actually had a trust level of 70% in the government, and an even higher level of 80% in the royal family led by William IV. This is the highest rate in Europe. It is the highest level of trust and can be called terrifying.

For this reason, this newspaper once again launched an investigation into the reasons, and finally found that the reason why William IV has such a high degree of trust is that he began to participate in politics when he was the crown prince and supported various policies that were introduced. The Dutch gained real benefits.

Especially in terms of employment, over the past few years, the economic development of the Netherlands has been obvious to all, making the Dutch people's lives better. At the same time, the growth of national strength has also increased the pride of the people. As a result, support has naturally exploded.

The Dutch mainland only has 50,000 square kilometers, but it has the Dutch East Indies overseas. This Dutch native continuously donates blood for local development, and Guyana, South America, establishes the Netherlands' status as a participant in America.

Nowadays, with the emergence of such a huge territory in North America, although it is separated by the Canadian territory ruled by the British Empire, the Monroe Doctrine of the United States was originally uneasy and difficult to implement because of the British presence in North America. Now it has been added The Netherlands, which does not appear to be a big country, but is actually one of the top military powers, is participating in the competition in the Americas.

No matter how you look at it, it seems that the United States can no longer maintain the Monroe Doctrine.

At the same time, this newspaper, like all other Europeans who are dissatisfied with the United States' attempt to occupy the Americas, expects the Netherlands to play a more significant role in the Americas.

Finally, this newspaper asked weakly with doubts: Is the Netherlands under your leadership, William IV, prepared to challenge the United States' status in the Americas? "

"His Majesty William IV and Tsar Alexander II secretly completed such a major transaction this time. It must be said that it set a precedent for the fastest transaction in terms of trading territory in the world.

However, the United States has always adhered to the Monroe Doctrine. Now the Civil War has depleted their country's national strength. Even last month, they asked the Russian Empire for help, and along with the Netherlands, they frightened away those who wanted to intervene in the American civil war. Britain, Spain and France.

If the United States issues any statement of condemnation at this time, it will arouse the dissatisfaction of the two "saviors" of the United States. The consequences are likely to be unbearable for the United States. Therefore, this newspaper is optimistic about what President Lincoln will do next. I am very curious and looking forward to what kind of reception. "

In addition to reporting, Spain's largest newspaper "La Vanguardia" did not forget to sow discord between the United States, the Russian Empire and the Netherlands.

reason?

It was because last month, the involvement of the Netherlands and the Russian Empire in North America caused Spain not only embarrassment but also huge losses. Just the fuel cost of sending Spanish warships there also caused huge losses. Therefore, Spain Naturally, he has no hidden ill intentions towards these three countries.

However, compared to Spain's provocation, the newspapers of the Tsarist Empire, which was the interested party, were much milder this time.

As soon as you hear "Voice of Tsarist Russia", you will know that it is the newspaper closest to the Tsarist Russian Empire's government. Its sources or channels are the most representative. At the same time, its views are also what the officials want to say, and sometimes even Tsarist Russian officials Post official news directly on it.

“North Kalimantan, Kalimantan!”

This is the eye-catching title of the newspaper "Voice of Tsarist Russia".

“On February 27, 1862, the Tsarist Russian Empire and the Kingdom of the Netherlands completed an agreement on the transfer of territory between the two countries. The Tsarist Russian Empire will trade all the American territories east of the Bering Strait in the Far East to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including The Alaska Peninsula and the Alexander Islands are about the same size as the entire German Confederation.

Of course, that's because the area is cold and barren, but such a huge area exchange has never happened before in human history.

The relationship between the Netherlands and the Russian Empire has developed for more than 300 years. The two countries are in the spirit of sincere transactions and contracts. The Netherlands' 1.5 million pounds also proves that the two countries are the most lasting and best example of partnership in Europe.

This agreement has been passed by the parliaments of the two countries, and the rotation of the armies of the two countries will begin on the last day of February.

Since the Tsarist Empire has only a few thousand people in Alaska, the agreement between the two countries stipulates that all Tsarist Russian citizens will be evacuated within a month. At that time, Tsarist Russia will completely cede Alaska's sovereignty.

In addition to the 1.5 million pounds, what the Tsarist Empire received was a historic acquisition of a not-so-small territory in the tropical Pacific. It was bordered by the sea on both sides and would become a breakthrough for the Tsarist Empire's maritime power in the Pacific and global oceans. point.

From now on, the Russian Empire will have a seaport in the Pacific that can partner with Vladivostok.

Some experts predict that with Tsarist Russia settling on Kalimantan in the Far East, the situation among the four major powers of Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands may change there from now on. "