Since the establishment of the Holy Roman Economic Union, the economies of the participating countries have been closely linked, and the import and export trade volume between the alliances has risen rapidly.
Take Bavaria as an example. In 1850, the total import and export trade with Austria rose by 23%, of which the import trade volume increased by 32%, and the export trade volume increased by 7%.
For the Kingdom of Bavaria, the trade deficit with Austria expanded to 8 million guilders in 1850, a serious blow to the development of Bavaria's capitalist economy.
Of course, things are two-sided. Because of its geographical location, Austria's trade with other states in the South German region must pass through Bavaria, which also drives the development of Bavaria's domestic transportation industry.
Whether it is a loss or a gain is difficult to say clearly. But one thing is certain, those who are engaged in import and export trade are making money.
These people all have one characteristic, most of them are local powerful factions - nobles. European aristocrats do not mean to discriminate against business, they will not have trouble with money.
In order to establish the alliance smoothly, Austria naturally attracted some powerful nobles, and it was the contributions of these people that promoted the establishment of the economic alliance.
Interest is always the best catalyst. Even now Bavaria has come together with the Kingdom of Prussia diplomatically, but the economy is still not affected at all.
Maximilian I dare not touch the cheese of interest groups. If the trade is cut off, the royal family will be one of the biggest losers.
The upsurge of building railways in Austria has inevitably affected the Kingdom of Bavaria, and the voices of the people for building railways are getting louder and louder.
Under the guidance of the German Economic Exchange Organization, a main railway line connecting the states of South Germany was proposed by economic experts.
It quickly aroused heated discussions among the people, and countless experts and scholars came out on the platform to advocate the theory of railway power, and listed a series of benefits of building railways.
The hot social discussion has also attracted the attention of capital, especially those in the transportation industry, who know more about how profitable railways are.
Bavaria is not without railways, but it does not have a complete railway network, and it lacks a main railway line that runs through the kingdom of Bavaria from east to west.
From the perspective of economic development, the establishment of such a main railway line will greatly promote the economic development of Bavaria.
Munich
Within the Royal Bavarian Railway, discussions are under way to build the main line.
As suggested by the economists, the railway extended westward to Baden, and eastwards merged with the railway network in Salzburg and Austria.
Now everyone is discussing the technical feasibility and economic feasibility. The Royal Bavarian Railway is a state-owned enterprise, and its efficiency is inevitably a little lower.
Engineer Searle replied with a serious face: "The technical problem is not big. Except for a few sections that need to be detoured, there is not much technical difficulty in building this railway."
It's really not difficult technically. This so-called main line is actually only three or four hundred kilometers, and most of the roads are in the Bavarian plain.
"What about the economy? Don't forget that there is also a Danube between us and Austria, and water transport plays an important role in the trade between the two countries.
The main purpose of building this railway now is to make money. Can our railway compete with water transportation? "Morka, president of the railway company, asked with concern.
Wilkes, director of commercial operations, replied: "Water transport is indeed cheap, but the Danube's radiation range is limited. The river is not under human control, unlike our railways, where they can be built wherever they want.
Once this railway is completed, the economic lifeline of the entire South German region will be in our hands. Judging from the current commercial traffic, it will not be a problem to achieve profitability.
If we are worried about the risks, we can also raise shares externally. There are many people who want to invest in this railway.
If we don't set up the project as soon as possible and get the right to build the railway from the government, I'm afraid we will be preempted. "
Don't think that there is no competition for state-owned enterprises. In Bavaria in this era, private individuals can build railways. As long as you can afford to pay, you can build them as you like.
In this era, the competition was not too fierce. If it was at the beginning of the 20th century, there might still be several railway companies competing between the two cities.
After a pause, Morka made a decision: "Since everyone has no problem, the engineering department will set up the railway project as soon as possible and come up with the design drawings, and the operation department will immediately apply to the government for the construction right of this railway."
Although the Royal Bavarian Railway is a state-owned enterprise, there are actually many people who share interests. These talents are the main force in promoting the construction of this railway.
Perhaps it is not comparable to the tens of thousands of kilometers of railway network plan in Austria, but once this main line is completed, the supporting branch line sections are also indispensable.
Thousands of kilometers of railway is undoubtedly a big project in this era, and the benefits contained in it are definitely not a small number.
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In the Munich Palace, a plan to build a railway artery has appeared in front of Maximilian I. Not only the Royal Bavarian Railway Company, but also a Bavarian Watson Railway Company has also applied.
Interest is always the best catalyst. Obviously, there are not only a few people who are eyeing this railway. If the Bavarian government does not make a decision, there will be more applications for railway construction in the future.
The military value of railways in this era has not been taken seriously, and Maximilian I did not consider the military threat that Austria brought to Bavaria after the railway was built.
The main reason is that it is useless to consider, the strength gap between the two sides is too large. Munich is only more than 70 kilometers away from the Austrian border. The so-called national defense and security issue is simply a fallacy.
Such a short distance, even if it takes two days to walk, it is the same with or without railways. It is more reliable to expect traffic to stop the Austrian advance than to expect international intervention.
Maximilian I attached great importance to domestic economic development, and he also supported the construction of a railway that could promote domestic economic development.
Moreover, the railway brought not only economic benefits to Bavaria, but also the spread of political influence, which could consolidate their position in the German state.
"To build this railway, we need to coordinate several countries along the way. Is there any diplomatic problem?" Maximilian I asked with concern
The Foreign Secretary replied: "Your Majesty, according to the Holy Roman Alliance, the investment in the construction of railways between allied countries and the railway companies of their own countries enjoy the same treatment, and we can communicate with governments of various countries.
If there are railway companies in their country who are willing to participate, everyone will join forces to complete the construction of their own internal road sections and set up a joint railway operating company.
If there is no railway company involved, we can also invest in the construction of this railway in accordance with local laws. "
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Vienna
After receiving the railway construction plan of the Kingdom of Bavaria, Franz's first reaction was that the Bavarian government was crazy.
Wouldn't it be convenient for Austria to invade by building such a railway? After confirming again and again, Franz found that he was thinking too much.
Bavaria is small in size, and the capital Munich is too close to Austria. The existence of this railway is not immune to the military threat of Austria.
It is nothing more than that after the railway, Austria's military operations have become more convenient. It's just that this convenience is not for Bavaria, but more convenient for the further German states such as Baden and Württemberg to use troops.
Franz smiled and said: "The same is the request of the Bavarian government. Since they want to build this railway, let them do it. If we need our cooperation, we will cooperate with them.
If they were short of funds, they could be asked to raise funds in the Vienna stock market. "
He did not say how much benefit this railway would bring to Austria after the completion of the construction. Of course, this kind of thing will make a lot of money.
You know, when he originally instructed the German Economic Organization to promote the construction of this railway, Franz was prepared for the strong opposition of the Bavarian government.
He also prepared to use public opinion to force the Bavarian government to build the railway as well. It turned out that it was good now, and the civil campaign had just begun, and the Bavarian government took the initiative to jump out.
For Franz, the Bavarian government had come forward to build the railway, it is really good. The relationship between the southern German state is naturally coordinated by them, and the Austrian government can just sit back and enjoy the success without doing anything.
As for the Royal Bavarian Railway Company, it will make huge fortunes because of this railway in the future, Franz said very generously that they deserve it.
If this railway brings convenience to Austria's unification of the South German region, Franz would not mind awarding them a big medal at that time.
By the way, the Kaiser Bavarian Railway Company was renamed the Royal Austrian Railway Company to commemorate their outstanding contribution to the cause of German unification.