Franz did not rush to express his position. It is not so simple to integrate all the ethnic groups in Austria. It is estimated that most people are unacceptable except for the civilians at the bottom who do not know what ethnic groups are.
If you can't get everyone's heartfelt approval and come out with a nominal Austrian family, the final result may be very embarrassing.
Nationalism originated in Europe in the 18th century. In order to break theocracy and feudalism, the nationalist movement initiated by the bourgeoisie.
The victory of the bourgeois revolution from 1789 to 1871 and the establishment of the nation-state system were driven by nationalism.
Southeastern Europe is relatively conservative, and nationalism was born almost always under the ideological output of major powers.
For example, Hungarian nationalism, which was exported by the French, has only just started, and the Hungarian nation of later generations will not really take shape until they absorb ordinary people.
In the mid-19th century, in order to launch a war of aggression, the tsarist government set off "Pan-Slavism", nationalism spread to the Balkans, and the fuse of the world war started.
"Mr Carl, if we create an Austrian nation, what about the existing nation
Do we withdraw from the German region and create a separate Austrian Empire? ' asked Prime Minister Felix, frowning.
The window paper was pierced, and the atmosphere in the room was instantly suppressed.
"As early as 1806, when the Holy Roman Empire fell, Austria became independent from the German region. Can we still build the Holy Roman Empire again now?" Karl asked rhetorically.
"The German region is impossible to unify, Austria can be independent from the German region, but we cannot give up Germany, this is a matter of principle.
It is obviously not advisable to want to replace all the nationalities in Austria with one nation. Even we would not agree with it. However, it is still feasible to downplay the concept of nation and emphasize Austria. "Metternich said sternly.
Franz frowned. Sure enough, everyone was an opposition party. In this era, the crisis of a multi-ethnic country has not yet been recognized. For a long time, governments of various countries have used ethnic contradictions to cover up class contradictions.
At this time, Franz had to express his position. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Karl was unable to support himself. If he did not support it, the Austrian nation would be in vain.
"We can look at this matter separately, all the Austrian nationalities together constitute the Austrian Empire, and the Austrian nationality can also be all Austrians.
Build a nation that everyone agrees with and gradually replace the dozens of nationalities in Austria, which will greatly reduce the national contradictions in our country.
If nothing else, at least the present Hungarian rebellion can be avoided. "
"His Royal Highness, even if there is no nationalism, the careerists can also use other banners, as long as they think about it, there will be no shortage of excuses.
For this, we will lose leadership of the German region, is it worth it? ' asked Archduke Louis embarrassed.
His words are already very polite, and if you put it another way, it will be sprayed - idiot, coward, traitor.
The core foundation of Austria is the Germans, at least until the national integration is completed, this situation will not change. To abandon Germany now is to abandon the basis of domination.
"No, Archduke Louis! Who said we were going to give up the leadership of the German region?" Franz asked rhetorically.
Before anyone could answer, Franz continued: "Although the German region is a piece of scattered sand, it is located in the heart of Europe, and whoever controls it will control the European continent.
However, it is a pity that we do not have the strength to unify the German region, and European countries will not tolerate the unification of the German region.
In this context, the leader of Austria, the German state, is actually only in name. Internally we have to face the challenges of the Prussians, and externally we have to resist the pressure from various countries.
And what we have gained is just in name only, has Austria actually benefited from the German region
From an investment point of view, the resources we have invested in the German region have always been at a net loss over the years, but instead, the Prussians have benefited a lot.
In this case, why don't we temporarily abandon our investment in the German region and turn to other regions with higher returns on investment
As for the German region, we only need to retain Austria's influence. Maintaining the balance of the German region is not just our family's business. We will share part of the responsibility with our allies, so that everyone will not be idle and have nothing to do. "
That's right, Franz wants to shift Austria's strategic focus. If you continue to fight in the German region, there will be Prussian restraints on the inside, and the French will be eyeing them on the outside.
Don't look at the bunch of Austrian brothers in the German region, who responded with a wave of arms and a wave of heroes. As long as Franz dares to show his ambition to unify Germany, the plot will soon take a 180-degree turn and become enemies in the world.
For details, you can refer to his ancestor, Maximilian the Great, who showed his ambition to unify the German region, and then ended tragically with the cooperation of the French and the domestic princes.
At that time, the Habsburg family was an empire on which the sun never sets. It was much more powerful than Austria today. It annexed the Kingdom of Spain at its peak and occupied most of Italy. The Netherlands and Belgium were all family territories.
As for whether he will be kicked out of the German region for engaging with the Austrian nation, Franz is not worried at all.
The princes of Germany are not stupid. Only when Austria and Prussia are restrained by each other will they have a better life. If one family dominates, it will be their doomsday.
After so many years of mergers and reorganizations, we all know that we need to play a balance. The states of the North German region are moving closer to Prussia, and the vassal states of South Germany are falling to Austria.
Franz's implication is clear to everyone. It is nothing more than abandoning the long-term continental balance policy. Anyway, the "Metternich system" has collapsed. If it is to be rebuilt, the price that Austria needs to pay is too high.
"His Royal Highness, are you planning to shift Austria's strategic focus to the Italian region?" Metternich asked with concern
"No, Austria's next strategic focus is at home. As for the Italian region, we can just slaughter the Sardinian kingdom and kill the chickens and show the monkeys!" Franz shook his head and said.
After listening to Franz's answer, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The Italian area is not so easy to move, and Britain and France are also involved here.
If you just use the Sardinian Kingdom, then there will be no problem. This is delivered by the Sardinian Kingdom itself. You can't let Austria not fight back, right