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Chapter 41 New Players Enter the Game
Chapter 41 New Players Enter the Game
"It's a shame we can't really do anything right now. I would have loved to finish what Uncle started."- President Napoleon Bonaparte III 1847
"I know that we're still in a war with the damned Americans and that they've conquered Canada by now. If we just stand by and do nothing however than Europe will forever be lost from our control."- Queen Victoria 1846
"Trust me when I say that the actions I'm about to take will be most beneficial to the motherland."- Tsar Nicholas I 1847
Even though the 1846 Revolutions started in France, for the first year it had been mainly a Central European conflict as the states of Italy, Germany, and the Hapsburg kingdoms had been fighting over nationalism and liberalization of the government. Outside of Central Europe the main responses of the 1846 Revolutions was a small period of unrest in Western Europe followed by the implementation of a new liberal government with a constitution. With German Unification, Italian Unity, and the slow collapsing of Austria, geopolitics within Europe was about to change forever as the old order which was created in the aftermath of the Congress of Vienna was about to become no more. Unfortunately for both sides depending on your viewpoint, the revolutions would not stay as internal or regional conflicts as two European powers would about to square off against each other for their support on opposing sides of the conflict in order to guarantee their position and safety on the continent. The United Kingdom and the Russian Empire.
Even as the American Armies were sweeping through the Canadian frontier, the primary attention of the British public and government remained focus on Europe. While it would be embarrassing to once again lose to their former colonies, Britain would be far more impacted if Europe turned into a hostile state that would once again challenge British supremacy in the globe just as Napoleon had done three decades prior. Ironically this time France would not at all be the cause of Britain's stress (not for another decade at least), no this time the main worry lied within the new state of Germany. For the last century Britain had maintained a strong amount of interest and participation within German affairs as their Kings were also the Electors of Hanover. With the end of the Holy Roman Empire and the separation of Hanover and Britain, many within Britain thought that the whole German question would be put behind them, they were wrong. For decades Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom had looked worryingly to Germany as they saw a region that was industrializing at a near equal rate to Britain and could one day challenge her in world influence and control on European affairs. For decades the monarchs of Britain had ignored the matter as Hanover's independence was still secure while the fractured state of Austria was still its leader. Now Germany was an united empire under Prussia with the possibility of becoming the next Napoleonic Empire while Hanover was under constant siege for annexation. What was worse is that Germany actually supported the liberal reforms of its revolutionaries, threatening the social balance in Britain with the ongoing Chartist movement and labor division. For the last two months of 1846 the Prime Minister's cabinet held constant meetings with the queen over Germany even though the Royal Army was advocating for more attention to its war with America. There was constant bickering and talks of deals going back and forward until a new plan had been reached by Christmas day. According to the will of the Queen and the cabinet, Britain would not take action against Germany but instead become its ally in Europe. The reason for this new shift was due to fear's of France, which was increasingly moving to the future Second French Empire under Napoleon III, and the rise of Russia which was encroaching upon Ottoman territory and was beginning to start the Great Game in Central Asia. Germany was seen as the perfect solution to these two threats by acting as a counterbalance that would prevent them from uniting as well as providing a front for either side in a possible war. At the same time Prussia was focused on European development and as leader of Germany it would never be a colonial powerhouse. By the beginning of next year Terms were sent to Kaiser Wilhelm detailing Britain's demands in return for support and recognition. They were:
Fredrick and Victoria. Living proof of the Anglo-German alliance.
When it comes to rulers of nations most historians can agree that there were few who were so successful and yet complete failures such as Tsar Nicholas I. Nicholas came to power after the Decembrist Revolt and because of both this and the earlier radicalism of the French Revolution, caused him to rule as a complete autocrat with only the welfare of the state in mind. According to Nicholas's central principles, the Army was the most important part of the nation and it should be dedicated to expanding the empire at any cost. Unlike the Prussian model though, Nicholas never bothered to reform his military or also make sure that the military and by extension the government was one that would be enacted for the welfare of its citizens. For the first twenty years of his reign Nicholas expanded Russia to great lengths but never bothered to enact a single reform for its citizens. At the same time Nicholas was a firm supporter in the Holy Alliance, a unofficial militarily alliance made up of Prussia, Austria, and Russia to maintain balance and support the retaining of Christian and Conservative principles. Over the years this alliance failed as Wilhelm came to power as a slightly pragmatic King while Austria continued to grow weaker. Still relations were close between Austria and Russia as they both shared the same goal of retaining absolute monarchy, fighting against the Turk, and keeping to the old ways. When the 1846 Revolutions came about Nicholas was in a state of total shock. When he looked at German Unification he saw the potential for a Second Napoleon (ironically never actually paying any attention to the REAL second Napoleon) that would one day seek to annex all of Western Russia as its own. Hungary was also seen as a threat to Nicholas because if the Hungarians were successful then ethnic minorities in the empire such as the Poles, Baltics, and Ukrainians would also want independence. In order to protect the future of Russia and the Romanovs Nicholas had to act now or doom his successors to deal with multiple rebellions and the rise of a German state (once again while still not understanding that revolts would still happen due to his poor rule). Many of Nicholas's advisors begged him to stay nuetral as this was a German problem and would not affect Russia at all. Nicholas would have none of it. Once his mind was made up there was no going. Back. So shortly after the events of September Russia began the process of mobilization for its massive Imperial Army. When the snows of winter melted the fury of the Bear would be unleashed unto Central Europe.
View attachment 296802
Tsar Nicholas I (Right) Mobilization of the Russian Army (Left)
A/N: As a little PSA I'd like to officially apologize and state that I won't be able to update "Lone Star Republic" daily or as frequently as I was before. On Tuesday I posted "Gihren's Glory" on the ASB page and while I initially thought that it would get a mild response, I've been getting tons of likes and people demanding for more. I'll still update to twice a week at the minimum but my attention will now have to be divided between Lone Star and Gihren's Glory for the future. The new goal is to definitely start 1861 by Christmas. Here is a small preview of future updates. Chapter 42 Star Spangled Supreme. Chapter 43 Viennese Waltz. Chapter 44 Hungary's Stand.
"It's a shame we can't really do anything right now. I would have loved to finish what Uncle started."- President Napoleon Bonaparte III 1847
"I know that we're still in a war with the damned Americans and that they've conquered Canada by now. If we just stand by and do nothing however than Europe will forever be lost from our control."- Queen Victoria 1846
"Trust me when I say that the actions I'm about to take will be most beneficial to the motherland."- Tsar Nicholas I 1847
Even though the 1846 Revolutions started in France, for the first year it had been mainly a Central European conflict as the states of Italy, Germany, and the Hapsburg kingdoms had been fighting over nationalism and liberalization of the government. Outside of Central Europe the main responses of the 1846 Revolutions was a small period of unrest in Western Europe followed by the implementation of a new liberal government with a constitution. With German Unification, Italian Unity, and the slow collapsing of Austria, geopolitics within Europe was about to change forever as the old order which was created in the aftermath of the Congress of Vienna was about to become no more. Unfortunately for both sides depending on your viewpoint, the revolutions would not stay as internal or regional conflicts as two European powers would about to square off against each other for their support on opposing sides of the conflict in order to guarantee their position and safety on the continent. The United Kingdom and the Russian Empire.
Even as the American Armies were sweeping through the Canadian frontier, the primary attention of the British public and government remained focus on Europe. While it would be embarrassing to once again lose to their former colonies, Britain would be far more impacted if Europe turned into a hostile state that would once again challenge British supremacy in the globe just as Napoleon had done three decades prior. Ironically this time France would not at all be the cause of Britain's stress (not for another decade at least), no this time the main worry lied within the new state of Germany. For the last century Britain had maintained a strong amount of interest and participation within German affairs as their Kings were also the Electors of Hanover. With the end of the Holy Roman Empire and the separation of Hanover and Britain, many within Britain thought that the whole German question would be put behind them, they were wrong. For decades Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom had looked worryingly to Germany as they saw a region that was industrializing at a near equal rate to Britain and could one day challenge her in world influence and control on European affairs. For decades the monarchs of Britain had ignored the matter as Hanover's independence was still secure while the fractured state of Austria was still its leader. Now Germany was an united empire under Prussia with the possibility of becoming the next Napoleonic Empire while Hanover was under constant siege for annexation. What was worse is that Germany actually supported the liberal reforms of its revolutionaries, threatening the social balance in Britain with the ongoing Chartist movement and labor division. For the last two months of 1846 the Prime Minister's cabinet held constant meetings with the queen over Germany even though the Royal Army was advocating for more attention to its war with America. There was constant bickering and talks of deals going back and forward until a new plan had been reached by Christmas day. According to the will of the Queen and the cabinet, Britain would not take action against Germany but instead become its ally in Europe. The reason for this new shift was due to fear's of France, which was increasingly moving to the future Second French Empire under Napoleon III, and the rise of Russia which was encroaching upon Ottoman territory and was beginning to start the Great Game in Central Asia. Germany was seen as the perfect solution to these two threats by acting as a counterbalance that would prevent them from uniting as well as providing a front for either side in a possible war. At the same time Prussia was focused on European development and as leader of Germany it would never be a colonial powerhouse. By the beginning of next year Terms were sent to Kaiser Wilhelm detailing Britain's demands in return for support and recognition. They were:
- The annexation of Hanover as an autonomous state in the federal structure of the German Empire with Ernst Augustus being retained as King.
- A betrothal of Princess Victoria to Imperial Crown Prince Fredrick
- A secret clause detailing support against either France or Russia in a war. An open defense pact would also be signed
- Heligioland would be transferred to British control.
- Agreement of the Royal Navy maintaining a larger fleet ratio than Germany.
- Recognition of Britain's current and future plans for colonial expansion.
Fredrick and Victoria. Living proof of the Anglo-German alliance.
When it comes to rulers of nations most historians can agree that there were few who were so successful and yet complete failures such as Tsar Nicholas I. Nicholas came to power after the Decembrist Revolt and because of both this and the earlier radicalism of the French Revolution, caused him to rule as a complete autocrat with only the welfare of the state in mind. According to Nicholas's central principles, the Army was the most important part of the nation and it should be dedicated to expanding the empire at any cost. Unlike the Prussian model though, Nicholas never bothered to reform his military or also make sure that the military and by extension the government was one that would be enacted for the welfare of its citizens. For the first twenty years of his reign Nicholas expanded Russia to great lengths but never bothered to enact a single reform for its citizens. At the same time Nicholas was a firm supporter in the Holy Alliance, a unofficial militarily alliance made up of Prussia, Austria, and Russia to maintain balance and support the retaining of Christian and Conservative principles. Over the years this alliance failed as Wilhelm came to power as a slightly pragmatic King while Austria continued to grow weaker. Still relations were close between Austria and Russia as they both shared the same goal of retaining absolute monarchy, fighting against the Turk, and keeping to the old ways. When the 1846 Revolutions came about Nicholas was in a state of total shock. When he looked at German Unification he saw the potential for a Second Napoleon (ironically never actually paying any attention to the REAL second Napoleon) that would one day seek to annex all of Western Russia as its own. Hungary was also seen as a threat to Nicholas because if the Hungarians were successful then ethnic minorities in the empire such as the Poles, Baltics, and Ukrainians would also want independence. In order to protect the future of Russia and the Romanovs Nicholas had to act now or doom his successors to deal with multiple rebellions and the rise of a German state (once again while still not understanding that revolts would still happen due to his poor rule). Many of Nicholas's advisors begged him to stay nuetral as this was a German problem and would not affect Russia at all. Nicholas would have none of it. Once his mind was made up there was no going. Back. So shortly after the events of September Russia began the process of mobilization for its massive Imperial Army. When the snows of winter melted the fury of the Bear would be unleashed unto Central Europe.
View attachment 296802Tsar Nicholas I (Right) Mobilization of the Russian Army (Left)
A/N: As a little PSA I'd like to officially apologize and state that I won't be able to update "Lone Star Republic" daily or as frequently as I was before. On Tuesday I posted "Gihren's Glory" on the ASB page and while I initially thought that it would get a mild response, I've been getting tons of likes and people demanding for more. I'll still update to twice a week at the minimum but my attention will now have to be divided between Lone Star and Gihren's Glory for the future. The new goal is to definitely start 1861 by Christmas. Here is a small preview of future updates. Chapter 42 Star Spangled Supreme. Chapter 43 Viennese Waltz. Chapter 44 Hungary's Stand.
- Kaiser Chris
- Word Count: 1.6k