Holy Roman Empire

Franz did not rush to express his intention to integrate all ethnic groups in Austria, but it is not so simple. It is estimated that most of the people are unacceptable except for the civilians who do not know what the ethnic group is at the bottom.

If you can't get everyone's heartfelt approval and engage a nominal Austrian group, the final result may be very embarrassing.

Nationalism originated in Europe in the 18th century. In order to break the theocracy and feudalism, the nationalist movement launched by the bourgeoisie.

The victory of the bourgeois revolution from 1789 to 1871 and the establishment of the national state system were driven by nationalism.

South-eastern Europe is relatively conservative, and nationalism was almost born only after the ideology of major powers was exported.

For example, Hungarian nationalism was exported by the French. It has just started. It will be after the ordinary people are absorbed by them that the Hungarian nationality will come into being.

In the middle of the 19th century, the Tsarist government set off "Pan-Slavicism" in order to launch a war of aggression. Nationalism spread to the Balkans, and the fuse of world wars also began.

"Mr. Karl, if we build an Austrian people, what about the existing people?

Do we withdraw from the German region and build 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 the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, Austria became independent from the German region. Can we still build the Holy Roman Empire again now?" Karl asked rhetorically.

"The German region cannot be unified. Austria can be independent from the German region, but we cannot give up Germany. This is a matter of principle.

It is obviously undesirable to replace all ethnic groups in Austria with one ethnic group, even if we do not agree with ourselves, but it is feasible to downplay the concept of nation and emphasize Austria."Metternich said seriously

Franz frowned. Sure enough, everyone was an opposition. In this era, he had not recognized the crisis of a multi-ethnic country. For a long time, governments of various countries were still covering class conflicts with ethnic conflicts.

At this time, Franz had to express his position. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Karl was unable to support himself. If he didn't support it, the Austrian nation would become a bubble.

"We can look at this matter separately. All the ethnic groups in Austria add up to form the Austrian Empire, and the Austrian people can also be all Austrians.

Constructing a nation that everyone agrees on, gradually replacing dozens of ethnic groups in Austria, will greatly reduce ethnic conflicts in our country.

Not to mention, at least the Hungarian rebellion that has occurred now can be avoided."

"Your Highness, even if there is no nationalism, the ambitions can also use other banners, and if you think about it, there will be no shortage of excuses.

For this reason, we will lose our leadership in the German region. Is it worth it?"Duke Louise asked in embarrassment

His words are already very polite, if you want to change the word, you have to spray-idiot, coward, traitor.

The core foundation of Austria is-Germans, at least until the completion of national integration, this situation will not change.Now that Germany has been abandoned, it is to give up the basis of rule.

"No, Grand Duke Louise! Who said we would give up leadership in the German region?" Franz asked

Waiting for someone to answer, Franz continued: "Although the German region is scattered, it is located in the heart of Europe. Whoever masters this will master the European continent.

However, it is a pity that we do not have the power to unify the German region, and European countries will not tolerate the unification of the German region.

Against this background, the leader of Austria, a German state, actually stays in name only. We must face the challenges of the Prussians internally, and we must also resist pressure from various countries externally.

And our gains are only nominally glorious. In fact, has Austria benefited from the German region?

From an investment point of view, the resources we have invested in the German region have been at a net loss for many years. Instead, the Prussians have gained a lot of benefits.

In this case, why don't we temporarily abandon investment in the German region and turn to other regions with higher investment returns?

As for the German region, we only need to retain the influence of Austria. Maintaining the balance of the German region is not just a matter for our family. We share the responsibility with allies, so that everyone will have nothing to do."

That's right, Franz wants to shift Austria's strategic focus.If we continue to die in the German region, there is Prussia's restraint inside, and there are French people on the outside, looking for a woolen thread?

Do n’t look at the bunch of Austrian younger brothers in the German region, and wave their arms to respond. As long as Franz dares to show his ambition to unite Germany, the plot will soon undergo a 180-degree turn and become the enemy of the world.

For details, you can refer to his ancestor, Emperor Maximilian, who showed his ambition to unify the German region, and then ended the tragedy under the cooperation of the French and domestic princes.

At that time, the Habsburg family was a sunless empire, more than the current Austria, and it annexed the Spanish kingdom at its peak. It also occupied most of Italy, and the Netherlands and Belgium were all family territories.

As for whether he will be kicked out of the German region for engaging in the Austrian nation, Franz is not worried at all.

The German princes are not stupid, and Austria and Prussia will contain each other to make their lives better.

After so many years of mergers and reorganizations, everyone knew that it was time to balance. The states of the North German region moved closer to Prussia, and the states of the South German princes fell to Austria.

Franz ’s implication is clear to everyone. It is nothing more than abandoning the long-term mainland balance policy. Anyway, now that the “Metternich system” has collapsed, Austria will have to pay too much to rebuild.

"Your Highness, are you going to shift Austria's strategic focus to the Italian region?" Metternich asked with concern

"No, Austria's next strategic focus is in the country. As for the Italian region, we can fight against the Kingdom of Sardinia to kill chickens and monkeys!" Franz shook his head and said

After listening to Franz's answer, everyone was relieved.The Italian region is not so easy to move, and it also involves Britain and France.

Just take the surgery of the kingdom of Sardinia, then there is no problem. This is the kingdom of Sardinia who brought it to the door. Can't you let Austria not fight back?