To make trouble for Prussia, Franz is just doing it smoothly. The Austrian government will not invest too much resources for this. Now the most important thing is still to develop the country.
At the same time as the Pudan war broke out again, the Russian-Austrian negotiations also came to an end. After nearly half a year of hard work, the two countries finally reached an agreement on their respective interests.
On March 21, 1849, Austrian Ambassador to Russia Wesenberg and Russian Foreign Minister Karl Wosselrod signed the "Russian-Austrian Trade Agreement" in St. Petersburg.
Contents of the treaty:
1. The two countries are treated as the most favored nation for each other, and the tariffs for commercial transactions shall not exceed that of the third country;
2. The two countries form a trade strategic partnership and follow the principle of free trade; (a war breaks out with a third country, and the trade between the two sides continues as usual)
3.…
These sloppy commercial and trade agreements are obviously not the results of the efforts of the two governments for half a year. What really deserves the attention of both sides is the signed secret agreements, including the "Russian-Austrian Military Alliance" and "Russian-Austrian Power Division".
Contents of the Russian-Austrian Military Alliance:
1. From the date of signing the treaty, the two countries formally concluded a military alliance;
2. If one side is invaded by a foreign military, it is regarded as a declaration of war against both countries;
3. When a certain country declares war on a third country, it can request the other party to provide assistance, including material assistance and military assistance;
4.…
There is no doubt that the "Russian-Austrian Military Alliance" is a continuation of the "Berlin Convention", or even a step further, except that the contracting party does not have Prussia.
Because of the Prussian War, Nicholas I was not very interested in the Kingdom of Prussia, and the outbreak of this war also marked the end of the era of the "Three Northern Courts".
Compared with the military alliance, the "Russian-Austrian Power Division" is the cornerstone of the alliance between the two countries. The two countries get what they need and everything they need.
The treaty states:
1. Austria recognizes that the Russian Empire has full sovereignty over the Black Sea Strait, the Dardanelles and the coastal lands; (including Constantinople, Asia Minor, and parts of the Balkans)
2. Austria recognizes the interests of the Russian Empire in the Far East;
3. The Austrian government recognizes the interests of the Russian Empire in Central Asia;
4. The Austrian government recognizes the interests of the Russian Empire in Persia;
5. The two countries jointly carve up the interests of the Balkans and the Mediterranean;
6. The Russian Empire recognizes Austria's sovereignty over the South German region;
7. Recognition of Austrian interests in the Danube Valley by the Russian Empire;
8. The Russian Empire recognizes Austrian interests in the Italian region;
9. The Russian Empire recognizes the benefits obtained by the overseas colonies opened up by Austria;
…
The agreement between the two sides is very clear. You support me in acquiring the area along the Black Sea, and I support you in annexing the South German State. Let’s work together to carve up the hegemony of the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
In addition to these core interests, as long as the interests of both parties are not conflicting, they will support each other.
Russia and Austria have reached an agreement on their respective expansion, which also means that the British-led Straits Convention is abolished. Without the support of Austria, it is difficult for Britain and France to suppress the Russian ambitions in the Near East. .
According to the agreement between the two parties, Austria will acquire the southern German region, the Bosnia and Herzegovina region, most of Serbia, and most of Romania and part of Bulgaria.
In terms of territorial area, it is less than half the size of the Russians; in terms of economic development, the two sides are even more incomparable.
In this era, the Black Sea coasts were all developed areas, and the essence of the Ottoman Empire was here, while Austria had no time to develop other areas except South Germany.
Looking at the comparison of the benefits of the two sides, Franz also understood why the Russian Olympic Games turned their faces in history. The Russians took too much, and the Austrian government was jealous.
More crucially, once the Russian ambitions were fulfilled, the Austrian Empire would never sleep well again.
Originally, Franz thought that the interests of the Black Sea Strait could satisfy the appetite of the Russians, and at most half of the Balkan Peninsula was added. It turned out that he was wrong, and the Russians also encircled the Asia Minor Peninsula.
Since the bear's appetite is so good, of course he doesn't mind pushing it. Austria recognized Russia's acquisition of the Asia Minor Peninsula, and the Russians made concessions in the Balkans.
Franz does not care about the sphere of influence in the Balkans agreed upon by the two parties. It is good to have it, but it does not matter if it is not available. As long as it is occupied by Belgrade.
The current Austrian Empire still does not have such a good appetite, and it will hold up after one bite. If it weren't for the fact that the population of the Balkan Peninsula was not large in this era, he would not dare to touch it.
However, if the Austrian appetite is too small, the Russians will suspect that there is no conspiracy behind it.
Franz boldly guessed that this great victory was being celebrated in the court of St. Petersburg at this time.
Historically, the Russians broke up the Straits Pact, but they sent troops to help Austria suppress the Hungarian rebellion.
In this time and space, there was no chaos in the Austrian government, and the rebellion was settled by itself. Naturally, there was no need for help, and there was no way to talk about the reward.
If there is the "Straits Pact", the Crimean War will not be fought in the future, and the Russians will not be able to single out the three countries of Britain, France and Austria.
This is also the reason why Austria was not human inside or outside after betraying the Russians in history. In the eyes of Britain and France, this war would not have started at all if it had not been for the initial laissez-faire of Austria to the Russians.
"Your Majesty, we have suffered too much from this treaty. Once it becomes a reality, no one can control the Russians!" Prime Minister Felix said with a frown.
The national policy of annexing southern Germany was led by his prime minister, but after seeing the price of compromise with the Russians, he regretted it.
"If the Russians don't get bigger, do we have a chance to annex South Germany? Who in Europe would like to see Austria continue to grow?" Franz asked rhetorically.
Metternich said excitedly: "Your Majesty, it is easy to release the Russians, but it is difficult to block them back.
Besides, can we really annex the southern German states
If the Russians do take over the above-mentioned areas, and we have not eaten the southern German region, then Austria has lost its future. "
Franz said calmly: "Don't be blinded by interests. On the surface, this treaty is very beneficial to the Russians, but in fact, do you think the Russians' national strength can support this plan
This time the Russians wanted to swallow the Ottoman Empire in one bite, and the Sudanese government would definitely resist desperately. This war would obviously not end in the short term.
The French still have a lot of interests in the Near East. They cannot allow the Russians to expand. If they do not do well, they will also unite the French government to fight against foreign enemies.
Not to mention the British. When did they relax their vigilance against the Russian competitor, it was inevitable to support the Ottoman Empire, and they might even pull the French into battle.
Don't look at the strength of the British who seem to be at sea, but they can't stand their money. As long as the Ottomans are not dead, they can keep the war going.
No matter how good the Russians are, they will eventually be dragged down.
Unless the tsarist government can just settle for it, stop all military operations after the occupation of Constantinople, and defend on the spot. It is not difficult to hold a fortress city with the Russian national strength. After a few years of effort, Britain and France will naturally give up. .
Then the Russians will gradually erode the Ottoman Empire. If there is no accident, it is estimated that after working hard for three or five years, the goal can almost be achieved.
This long time is enough for us to do a lot of things. At that time, the Austrian Empire may not necessarily be weaker than Russia. "
Speaking of the French, Franz wanted to laugh. In modern times, the Habsburg dynasty can be compared to the prodigal family, and it is none other than the French.
The Ottoman Empire can't be counted. Their road to prostitution has not officially started, and they are still in a large country.
Since the 18th century, the French have begun their tragic road. If anyone pays attention, they will find that the first French colonial empire at its peak was really rich.
Lost in the Austrian Throne War, lost the Indian region; lost Canada in the Seven Years' War; after supporting the independence of the United States, the anti-French war broke out in the blink of an eye, and the Louisiana region was forcibly bought by the United States. (2.6 million square kilometers of land purchased for $15 million)
This is just the beginning. If history does not change, the French will gradually lose their rights and interests in Central America, including the Panama Canal, as well as the French-dominated Egypt…
The French fell and directly fed the British and Americans. The latter two empires both stepped on the shoulders of the French and became world empires.
Of course, the contribution of the Habsburg dynasty is also indispensable here. Without their selfless dedication, the British would not have risen, and the Americans would naturally go without saying.
Franz finally persuaded the cabinet. Of course, the treaty has been signed and the ship is done, which has also played a big role in promoting.
In theory, as long as Britain and France are willing to work hard, it is still difficult for the Russians to realize their ambitions. The weak nature of the Ottoman Empire has not been exposed, and everyone still has expectations for them.
If the Russians choose a conservative strategy and fight slowly, then there is no need to be afraid.
Thirty to fifty years is enough for the Austrian Empire to digest the South German region while completing its industrialization.