Chapter 952

Politics was a wonderful thing. When the US government had a difficult birth, the international political pressure suddenly disappeared.

As if they pitied the misfortune of the United States, not only did all kinds of targeting methods stop, but even the payment of war reparations was allowed to be delayed.

The easing of the international situation should have been something worth celebrating, but the insightful people of the United States became worried.

The continued targeting of the United States by the Alliance would certainly cause the United States to suffer heavy losses, but external pressure could also promote unity among the American people.

Originally, they wanted to take the opportunity to divert the public's attention and reconcile the disputes between the various federal states over the amount of reparations. At the very least, they had to complete the election first and set up the central government. Now, it had suddenly become a dream.

They knew that this was the enemy's overt plot, but it involved their own interests, and the federal states could not back down at all.

The war reparations were an astronomical figure. Every percentage point of concession would put a heavy financial burden on the state government.

The extra money would inevitably fall into the hands of the people and businesses. Although the politicians had no integrity, they could not give up on votes.

Everyone knew that if this stalemate continued, it would eventually lead to big trouble. Unfortunately, it involved real money, and no one could come up with a solution that satisfied all parties.

Each federal state had its own leadership team. It was not a problem to not have a central government for a day or two. It was not a big problem to not have a central government for a month or two. If there was no central government for a year or two, it would be a big problem.

Not everyone wanted to have someone above them. Although the presence of the United States' central government was very low, it still could not resist the ambitions of the ambitious.

When everyone got used to the absence of the Washington government, the Washington government would really be done for.

After all, the United States was just a country of immigrants that had been established for more than a hundred years. There was no unity in the first place. They came together purely because of interests.

Since they could unite because of interests, they could also split because of interests.

It was conceivable that after this wave, even if the United States did not split, it would become a confederation from the federation like the neighboring Alliance.

It seemed to be a change in a word, but in fact, it was a fundamental change in nature.

The relationship between the states and the central government directly became that of partners. When they were happy, everyone played together, and when they were unhappy, they could withdraw at any time.

In the past few decades, the news of the withdrawal of the United States was not the only time in the Alliance. Some states had even taken actual actions.

Of course, behind the scenes, the Washington government was also a driving force.

They adhered to the principle that if they could not kill you, they would at least disgust you to death. The previous Washington government liked to stir up trouble on this matter.

Unfortunately, although they were causing trouble, with the danger of the United States at their side, the various states of the Federal Country did not dare to give up. When they calmed down, they became a family again.

Originally, everyone just wanted to see a joke. They didn't expect the tables to turn and now it was their turn.

Everyone did not expect the situation.

… After the Tsarist government rejected the "goodwill" mediation of the Continental Alliance, the situation of the civil war once again worsened.

With an endless stream of "volunteers" rushing to the frontline against Russia, the wave of independence was once again pushed to a climax.

The Finnish Independence Army, which originally only wanted to defend the stronghold, came out. Like the rebels in the Polish and Lithuanian regions, they all had the same target – St. Petersburg.

But that was not all. The Bulgarians in the Balkans, after driving out the Russians, launched the Battle of Constantinople (Tsargrad).

The rebels in the Caucasus region were also unwilling to be left out and were advancing along the Volga River. The Ukrainian independence movement also entered the climax. With the help of the "volunteers," the independence army gradually gained the upper hand on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian independence movement also entered a climax. With the help of "volunteers," the independence army gradually gained the upper hand on the battlefield.

Siberia had the upper hand, but it was meaningless. Siberia had the upper hand, but it was meaningless.

…

It was not that the Russian Army did not work hard, but the rebels were too arrogant. Planes and tanks appeared on the battlefield, making the government army, which lacked guns and ammunition, suffer.

Suppressing the rebellion?

No, this was clearly a war with the European world. The culprit behind all of this was the international "mediation" that they had previously rejected.

It was too late to regret. The Continental Alliance refused to let go of the Russian Army's main force. The Tsarist government could only send farmers who had just put down their hoes to the battlefield.

With the development of the situation, more and more ethnic minorities in Russia participated in the national independence movement.

If one wanted to delve deeper into the reason, it came from an article titled "On the National Independence Movement." To have such a big impact, the author of the article was naturally not an ordinary person.

That was half a year ago. In order to make Russia suffer, Franz published "On the National Independence Movement" in the Austrian Daily.

The article clearly stated his position, which was:

"For the mainstream ethnic groups (80%) with their own civilization, a long history and culture, long-term residence in a certain area (more than 500 years), and a strong desire for independence, they should be granted independence."

There was no doubt that this was a typical example of "You're full, and now you're starting to eat." If it was thirty or forty years ago, anyone who dared to say this would be an irreconcilable enemy …

However, politics was mysterious. When the ethnic issue was solved, it was time to take it out.

In fact, Franz had been very restrained. While supporting the national independence movement, he also added many preconditions.

The reason was to avoid accidental injuries. Now was the era of colonial empires. The rise of the national independence movement, the major colonial empires were the first to bear the brunt.

Unlike the sparsely populated colony of Shinra, which would not be affected, the other colonial empires were very different.

Especially the group of brothers who had just divided India, who didn't rule tens of millions of people. If there was a conflict, it would be very dangerous.

The length of residence and population ratio were not troublesome. The key was "civilization" and "history and culture."

There was no specific standard for this. It was completely up to the European world to think it existed.

Even so, accidental injuries still occurred.

According to incomplete statistics, after Franz's "On the National Independence Movement" was published, the number of national independence movements broke out in the world doubled in the second half of 1905.

Of course, Russia was the most affected. It was obvious that they were targeting them. The knowledgeable people of various ethnic groups who wanted independence naturally wouldn't let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In addition to this political signal, there was another high-profile political event, which was the expiration of the "Russo-Austrian Alliance" at the end of the year.

Based on the current situation, the possibility of the two countries renewing the contract was infinitely close to zero. Once the "Russo-Austrian Alliance" ended, the international situation that the Tsarist government would face would be even more dangerous.

…

1905 was destined to be an extraordinary year. The major events continued from the beginning of the year to the end.

Under the direction of Franz, on November 7, 1905, the Imperial Parliament passed the proposal to upgrade the Austrian Central American colony to the Latin American Duchy, the Austrian Nanyang to the Nanyang Duchy, and the Austrian North American colony to the Duchy of Maple Leaf.

Food had to be eaten one bite at a time. In order to give everyone a period of adaptation, Franz personally assumed the role of king.

The facts proved that this approach was very effective. The original criticism about the three major states quickly disappeared.

In the eyes of many opponents, the emperor personally assuming the role of king was a sign of compromise. Just look at Franz's title. It was an existence that caused the death of countless students.

With so many titles, the Holy Roman Empire was still the Holy Roman Empire. It didn't change its ruling style just because of the emperor's title.

No matter what, it was just a title. It was not worthwhile to go against the emperor for such a small matter. After all, everyone only opposed the establishment of the states, not the emperor.

…

In the Palace of Vienna, Franz looked at the edict of abdication in his hand. After confirming that there were no problems, he slowly said, "Announce it!"

"Father …"

Before Frederick The Great could finish, Franz interrupted, "Alright, no need to say more. Since I have decided to abdicate after Christmas, I will not change my mind.

Don't worry, just tell the outside world that my body is not well and I need to rest. I'm already in my seventies or eighties, who can say that I'm pretending to be sick?

From now on, you should learn to adapt to the life of a king. You need to face all the problems in the future, big or small, on your own.

The throne is a kind of glory, but it is also a kind of responsibility. You have seen a lot over the years, but this is not enough. The world of a king is far more cruel than this.

As the master of the House of Habsburg, the outside world has elevated my position too high. Even if I do something wrong, people will spontaneously come up with a bunch of reasons.

Especially in the past ten years, I have almost been deified. Just look at the parliament. In the past few years, all the proposals that were inspired by me were passed with a unanimous vote.

The reason why the proposal was passed was not because of the content of the proposal, but because the person who pushed the proposal was me, Joseph- Franz.

This is very scary. If this continues, I am afraid that I will get lost in it and really think that I am omnipotent.

It is important to know one's own limitations. We are all ordinary people in the world. It is nothing more than standing at a higher position and having broader knowledge. At most, we are just a little smarter than the average person, but we are essentially still ordinary people.

Whether it is for the country, for my family, or for me, it is the best choice.

But you will be miserable. With a father like me, you will be compared and criticized by others in the future. This requires you to maintain a normal state of mind and face all of this rationally. "

Sometimes, too high a prestige was also a kind of trouble. If the heir's mentality was not strong enough, it was very easy for him to fall into the gutter.

But in this regard, Franz did not think that it would be a big problem. Frederick The Great was not young, and his mind had long matured, not to mention that he was watching from the back.

As the person involved, Franz now understood very well why the ancient emperors, who were wise and powerful when they were young, frequently made mistakes in their old age.

They lived in flattery every day, and after hearing too many lies, it became the truth. Compared to these seniors, Franz now had a choice.

In order to be able to smoothly retreat this time, Franz did not hesitate to use "poor health" as an excuse.

Combined with his age, this explanation was very convincing. The emperor had worried himself to death for the country, and now that he was sick from overwork, he had to abdicate early.

Regardless of whether others believed it or not, Franz himself believed it.

With the big event of the emperor abdicating the throne in front to attract attention, passing the throne of the three major states to the other three younger sons was not worth mentioning.

Old people could understand the eagerness of love for their sons. The eldest son inherited the main business, and the other sons had a business to settle down in, which was also in line with the tradition of the European world.

There was only one colony left and right, and it was all "backwater" anyway, so everyone could still accept it.

Even if someone wanted to object, they could not speak at this time. Who asked the emperor to be "critically ill"?

If they made a fuss at this time, it would affect the emperor's "recuperation" and accidentally let the emperor see God, then it would be a big joke.

With Franz's influence, the Holy Roman Empire would never have a foothold for them. Such a terrifying consequence was enough to make any politician cower in fear.

In order to smoothly complete the state plan, Franz also went all out and even used himself.