Franz wasn't in a hurry to express his stance. It wasn't that easy to integrate all the ethnic groups in Austria. Except for the commoners who didn't know what ethnic groups were, most people wouldn't be able to accept it.
If he couldn't get everyone's heartfelt approval and create an Austrian ethnic group in name, the final result might be very awkward.
Nationalism originated in Europe in the 18th century. In order to break the theocracy and feudalism, the bourgeoisie launched a nationalist movement.
From 1789 to 1871, the bourgeoisie's victory in the revolution and the establishment of the nation-state system were driven by nationalism.
Southeastern Europe was more conservative. Nationalism was born under the ideological output of the big countries.
For example, Hungarian nationalism was exported by the French. It was only in its infancy. After they absorbed the ordinary people, the Hungarian ethnic group would truly take shape.
In the mid-19th century, the Tsarist government launched the "Pan-Slavism" in order to launch a war of aggression. Nationalism spread to the Balkans, and the fuse of the world war was also caused by this.
"Mr. Carr, if we establish an Austrian ethnic group, what about the existing ethnic groups?
Are we going to withdraw from the German Region and establish an independent Austrian Empire? "Prime Minister Felix asked with a frown.
The window paper was pierced, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became oppressive.
"As early as 1806, when the Holy Roman Empire fell, Austria became independent from the German Region. Can we establish the Holy Roman Empire again now?" Carr asked.
"The German Region can't be unified. Austria can be independent from the German Region, but we can't give up on Germany. This is a matter of principle.
It's obviously not feasible to replace all the ethnic groups in Austria with one ethnic group. Even we won't agree with it. However, it's still feasible to dilute the concept of ethnic groups and emphasize Austria, "Metternich said in a mature and prudent manner.
Franz frowned. As expected, everyone was in opposition. This era hadn't recognized the crisis of a multi-ethnic country. For a long time, the governments still used ethnic conflicts to cover up class conflicts.
At this time, Franz had to express his stance. The finance minister, Carr, couldn't do it alone. If he didn't support it, the Austrian ethnic group would become a bubble.
"We can look at this separately. All the ethnic groups in Austria together form the Austrian Empire, and the Austrian ethnic group can also be all Austrians.
Building a ethnic group that everyone agrees with will gradually replace the dozens of ethnic groups in Austria. This will greatly reduce ethnic conflicts in our country.
If nothing else, at least the rebellion in Hungary would have been avoided. "
"Your Highness, even if there is no nationalism, the ambitious people can still use other banners. As long as they want to, there will be no lack of excuses.
For this, we will lose our leadership of the German region. Is it worth it? "Grand Duke Louis asked awkwardly.
His words were already very polite. If he were to put it another way, he would have scolded him — an idiot, a coward, and a traitor.
If he said it differently, he would be called an idiot, a traitor, and would be called a traitor. To abandon Germany now would be to abandon the basis of their rule.
"No, Austria" Grand Louis. Who said we were going to give up the leadership of Germany? "Franz asked back.
Without waiting for anyone to answer, Franz continued, "Although the German region is in a state of disunity, it is located in the heart of Europe. Whoever controls this place will control the European continent.
"However, we don't have the power to unify the German Region, and the European countries won't tolerate the unification of the German Region.
"In this context, the leader of the German State, Austria, is only in name. Internally, we have to face the challenge from Prussia, and externally, we have to resist the pressure from other countries.
"Our gains are only in name. In reality, has Austria ever gained any benefits from the German Region?
"From an investment point of view, the resources we invested in the German Region have always been in a state of net loss. On the contrary, it has benefited the people of Prussia.
"Since this is the case, why don't we temporarily give up the investment in the German Region and turn to other areas with higher returns?
"As for the German Region, we just need to maintain Austria's influence. Maintaining the balance in the German Region isn't just our business. We can share some of the responsibility with our allies so that we don't have anything to do."
That's right. Franz wanted to shift Austria's strategic focus. If they continued to fight to the death in the German Region, there would be Prussia's restraint internally, and the French's covetous eyes externally. What could they do?
Don't look at Austria's underlings in the German Region. If Franz dared to reveal his ambition to unify the German Region, the plot would immediately take a 180-degree turn, and they would become the enemy of the whole world.
His ancestor, Emperor Maximilian, revealed his ambition to unify the German Region, but it ended tragically under the alliance of the French and the feudal princes.
At that time, the House of Habsburg was an empire where the sun never set. It was much more powerful than the current Austria. It annexed the Spanish Kingdom at its peak and occupied half of Italy. The Netherlands and Belgium were all part of the family's territory.
As for whether or not he would be kicked out of the German Region because of the Austrian Nation, Franz wasn't worried at all.
The feudal princes of Germany weren't stupid. Their lives would only be better if Austria and Prussia restrained each other. If one of them was dominant, it would be the end of them.
After so many years of mergers and reorganizations, everyone knew that they had to play a balance. North Germany leaned toward Prussia, and South Germany leaned toward Austria.
Everyone knew what Franz meant. It was nothing more than giving up the long-term policy of continental balance. Anyway, the "Metternich System" had collapsed. If they wanted to rebuild it, the price that Austria had to pay was too high.
"Your Highness, are you going to shift Austria's strategic focus to the Regions of Italy?" Metternich asked with concern.
"No, Austria's strategic focus is on the country. As for the Regions of Italy, we can just destroy the Kingdom of Sardinia and make an example out of them!" Franz said, shaking his head.
After hearing Franz's answer, everyone let out a sigh of relief. The Regions of Italy weren't that easy to move. It also involved England and France.
There wouldn't be a problem if they only targeted the Kingdom of Sardinia. It was the Kingdom of Sardinia that came knocking on their door. They couldn't just let Austria not fight back, right?
