The Talleyrand Plan

[SteveW]

In France, Lafitte felt extremely secure. He had good reason to. He was acclaimed as a liberal hero, had achieved a degree of rapprochement with Britain, had helped to create the acquiescent Cispadanian state and had Sardinia in France's pocket. Louis-Philippe hadn't liked him much, but this intervention in Italy had reflected very well on them both, and so for now Lafitte was in charge, especially as he was now so popular. To this end, Lafitte did not struggle to pack off his enemy, Casimir Perier, off to Algeria as the new governor-general. Casimir Perier reluctantly accepted this, but to be fair to him, he did become known as one of the most successful colonial governors ever.

He moved on to more important tasks now. He was keeping an eye on Spain now, where Ferdinand VII was ailing. Elsewhere, he was anxious not to be left behind on the railway revolution, ordering the construction of an experimental track from Paris (at Saint-Lazare) to Asnieres. More importantly, he was beginning to constitute a fixed political party, influenced by the British method. To this end, in December 1832, his supporters founded the 'Parti liberal', controlled by his protege, Adolphe Thiers. In a less liberal move, however, he allowed the Decret Perier, which allowed for large numbers of French convicts to be transported to Algeria.

Louis-Philippe was now looking desperately for a future queen for his son, Ferdinand-Philippe. The problem was this: the family were now persona non grata across much of Europe for their involvement in liberal insurrections, and for having irritated the Pope. Eventually, Duchess Helena of Mecklenburg was betrothed to him.

 

[LordKalvan]

As Ferdinand and Misley celebrated New Year 1833, they could look back on a successful full first year in charge of Cispadania. The railway to Forli was under construction, and ambitious plans had been drawn up to build a new one as far as Parma. The cotton deals with Egypt had seen a boom begin in the mills of Bologna and Parma, even if some of the smaller cottage weaving industries had suffered badly.

It had been an intriguing year for Denmark, one of great pride. Culturally, they had never had it so good. Various Danish artists, writers and thinkers had been in Cispadania already, and Hans Christian Andersen would arrive that March. One Danish writer, the liberal Steen Steensen Blicher, was working as an adviser to Ferdinand. Over in Rome, the sculptor Thorvaldsen was frequently employed by the new Cispadanian regime. The visiting Professor of Philosophy at Bologna University for the coming year was even to be Poul Martin Moeller of Copenhagen University, Kierkegaard's mentor.

In a cultural coup, both Hegel (who had narrowly avoided death by cholera a few years previously) and Schopenhauer had come to Cispadania, encouraged by the strong press and academic freedoms.

Triple WOW!!! There will be not just an economic boom in Cispadania, but also a full-fledged cultural renaissance. Bologna (the oldest university in Europe, which should be celebrating its 750th anniversary around 1830) will blossom under the twin influence of political liberalism and strong influence from Europe. The leaden years between 1815 and 1830 will be forgotten quickly. And this totally new (and unexpected) relation between italian and danish culture is quite likely to bring the dawn of a new cultural era. One which never happened in OTL. And the idea of having both Hegel and schopenauer moving to Cispadania is positively delightful. Well done.

Just a couple of little nitpicks, though: well and good to decide to build the railway between Bologna and Forli, and even fund it. It cannot be under construction so soon, however. We are at the dawn of railways, and my best guess is that such a line will take at least 4 years to survey and construct (and to acquire all necessary materials). This does not mean that both Ferdinand and Misley should not be satisfied with their achievements.

The boom of the textile mills will draw peasants to the cities, and unavoidably will create slums. You're right in pointing out that the cottage industry will suffer. Again this cannot be avoided, and they will be employed (and sucked dry) in the new big mills. There will be riots, and political protests, fuelled by the hard conditions of the workers. But it all to the good, in a long term view.

Keep on the good work.

 

[Analytical Engine]

Some maps would be nice.

 

[SteveW]

Some maps would be nice.

I'd love to, but for the moment I'm a) on a shared pc and b) revising for finals! But in time, yes, I'll make some.

Unlikely to post many updates this weekend as I'm rushed off my feet. But there shall be more soon.

 

[Jammy]

Agreed this looks very good keep it up

 

[arctic warrior]

Great work SteveW. TTL could have some very far reaching consequenses on the relationship between Denmark and the German League and also influence the events of 1848. PM you on ideas about that.

 

[LordKalvan]

Funnily enough, 1848 could come quite earlier in TTL, or not come at all.
In any case there will be social unrest, and my best guess is that workers' solidarity and the formation of trade unions will come earlier. In TTL, Marx might not write Das Kapital, because it would already be obsolete.

 

[SteveW]

(With thanks to Arctic Warrior for some of these ideas)

The early months of 1833 did not see much overt tension or violence anywhere in Europe or indeed North America, but that is not to say that they were without interest. In Denmark, the liberals forced Frederick VI's hand, and he agreed to the creation of the Landsting, essentially a House of Lords. It was purely consultative, but it was a start.

In Sweden, very little was changing, but the liberals were confident that once Crown Prince Oscar was on the throne, change might be achieved.

In Britain, Earl Grey was exhausted from his efforts in forcing through the Reform Act, and was now rather unwell. He was succeeded by the Home Secretary, Viscount Melbourne. Melbourne's Cabinet was hardly different from his predecessor's, with a few important exceptions, notably that the new Home Secretary was Lord Russell. Palmerston, significantly, was still in place, and was not going to be moved.

But Peel's Conservatives were rebuilding. Peel was beginning to sideline some of the more reactionary members of the party. The mood of the time was not with such old-fashioned men, and the Tory leader knew it well. He signified this by starting a close collaboration with William Huskisson (whose very existence was a surprise, as he had narrowly avoided becoming the world's first railway casualty in 1830), who was one of the few Tories to have spoken out against the Corn Laws.

 

[arctic warrior]

(With thanks to Arctic Warrior for some of these ideas)

The early months of 1833 did not see much overt tension or violence anywhere in Europe or indeed North America, but that is not to say that they were without interest. In Denmark, the liberals forced Frederick VI's hand, and he agreed to the creation of the Landsting, essentially a House of Lords. It was purely consultative, but it was a start.

In Sweden, very little was changing, but the liberals were confident that once Crown Prince Oscar was on the throne, change might be achieved.

In Britain, Earl Grey was exhausted from his efforts in forcing through the Reform Act, and was now rather unwell. He was succeeded by the Home Secretary, Viscount Melbourne. Melbourne's Cabinet was hardly different from his predecessor's, with a few important exceptions, notably that the new Home Secretary was Lord Russell. Palmerston, significantly, was still in place, and was not going to be moved.

But Peel's Conservatives were rebuilding. Peel was beginning to sideline some of the more reactionary members of the party. The mood of the time was not with such old-fashioned men, and the Tory leader knew it well. He signified this by starting a close collaboration with William Huskisson (whose very existence was a surprise, as he had narrowly avoided becoming the world's first railway casualty in 1830), who was one of the few Tories to have spoken out against the Corn Laws.

Hmmmmm, I promted some of these...?
I would say 1833 is a bit early for the Landsting, but its your TL. I'd wait till after Frederik 6. - 1839. This is interesting, things are accelerating.

 

[SteveW]

Hmmmmm, I promted some of these...?
I would say 1833 is a bit early for the Landsting, but its your TL. I'd wait till after Frederik 6. - 1839. This is interesting, things are accelerating.

Hehe, I was thinking more of your points about the increasing liberal mood and moves in Denmark- I then did something with them!

Re: the Landsting. I did read that some regional talking-shops were established with some reluctance, so I decided that in the climate of TTL, Frederick might reluctantly allow an assembly of pliant aristocrats.

 

[arctic warrior]

Hehe, I was thinking more of your points about the increasing liberal mood and moves in Denmark- I then did something with them!

Re: the Landsting. I did read that some regional talking-shops were established with some reluctance, so I decided that in the climate of TTL, Frederick might reluctantly allow an assembly of pliant aristocrats.

As already mentioned it is your TL. But thanks.
Frederick was very much the absolute Monarch, last one to have an official maitresse! He would not be forced to such a move. The Estates of Jutland, the Isles, Sleswig and Holstein was as far has he'd go only because it would seem to placate the German League and at the same time be used as a tool to keep the various parts of his lands together. (not the Kingdom - that was only Denmark without southern Jutland and the rest of the Duchies)
Those Estates would be your talking-shops. But I realize that in a quite changed atmosphere, with Danish authors and other artists coming home from trips to Cispadania it would be quite fashionable to be liberal, if only to be seen in compagny with these. And HC Andersen had been admitted at court as early as 1822 - so perhaps this could just be made into an assembly of nobility chosen from the Estates.
But then you'd have the Sleswig-Holsteiners make up half of that Landsting!
Interesting, very interesting...

Go on, show me some more

 

[SteveW]

March 1833 saw the Great March Crisis, one of the most important moments in nineteenth century British political history.

On the 12th March, fed up of Melbourne's attempts to force through reforms (the abolition of slavery and child labour restrictions having already gone through) and afraid that he would try to repeal the Corn Laws, William IV dismissed him and his ministry. He promptly summoned Peel to kiss hands, but Peel, having fathomed what was going to happen next, wisely refused.

On the 13th, with the news of Melbourne's dismissal released, the reaction was incredible. Across London, protests broke out. As the news spread around the country in the next few days, the scenes were repeated in other cities. On the 15th, a mob attacked Buckingham Palace but were repulsed with 14 dead. In Manchester the next day, a mob attacked Liverpool Road railway station. Armed men, veterans of the Cispadania campaign, were said to be on the march across the country. In London, the Popular Party leader John Frost called for the king to be removed.

It seemed like Britain was on the brink of revolution. Peel sat on his hands, knowing that neither backing the king openly nor trying to join in the protests would be a good idea. Instead, he called for a new election.

Then, on the 21st March, events took a turn. William fled Buckingham Palace under armed guard, and headed for Oxford, where he set himself up fo the moment at Lincoln College. He was under severe counsel to abdicate and hand over power to his teenage heir, Victoria, and her regent, the Duchess of Kent. Maybe he should do, he thought. But first of all, he'd try and restore order.

 

[LordKalvan]

Great post, Steve. It looks like an avalanche now (and frankly I was not anticipating such an upheaval in GB). And from your last words, we have not seen the end: I wonder what kind of repression William IV has in mind. The idea of a regency for young queen Victoria is new, and very well thought.

I do agree also with Arctic Warrior comments on Denmark: the situation is truly different from OTL, and the divergence will become stronger.

 

[arctic warrior]

Interesting how things develop. Unfortunately I have about zero knowledge on British domestic affairs at this age.
Looking forward to your next installment.

 

[SteveW]

Thanks to both of you (and everyone else who has read or commented!)

Next installment hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Jammy]

Very Interesting looking forward to seeing where this goes

 

[SteveW]

The crisis took a new and unexpected turn on the 22nd, when William, without a Prime Minister, reached for the comfort blanket and appointed the Duke of Wellington as his new Premier. The body politic was shocked: surely Wellington had been dispensed with for good? From the temporary Parliament of the Sheldonian Theatre, Wellington announced his intention to crack down on the nascent rebellion.

It was a particularly misjudged idea. Not only was the country opposed to this idea, but so were the Conservatives. Peel could see what he had to do. Four days later, the vast majority of the Tory MPs at Oxford (bar a few) and a good half of the Tory lords had refused any dealings with Wellington, and Peel announced his expulsion. Peel and Melbourne met at Barnet on the 25th March to try and find a way to end the crisis. The last thing either wanted was for the Popular Party and incensed radical veterans to gain control.

Back in Oxford, Lord Lyndhurst was trying to get the ear of the king. There was surely a way out of the impasse, if he only considered...

But William refused. He ordered an immediate crackdown, which began in Reading on the 1st April, when 9 were shot dead during a protest. Over the next few days, civillians were killed at Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Lincoln and Weymouth, and soldiers lynched at Manchester, Liverpool, Tilbury and Colchester. Britain was going to go up in flames if this continued.

Lyndhurst left for London to meet with Melbourne and Peel. The plan was simple enough. William would abdicate in the United Kingdom in Victoria's favour, but not in Hannover. The question was: could they persuade him to accept?

Lafitte and Louis-Philippe watched from over the water. This was geopolitical gold. If Britain's crisis lasted much longer and resulted in it being severely weakened, then France would be considered the dominant power in Europe again.

 

[Analytical Engine]

The crisis took a new and unexpected turn on the 22nd, when William, without a Prime Minister, reached for the comfort blanket and appointed the Duke of Wellington as his new Premier. The body politic was shocked: surely Wellington had been dispensed with for good? From the temporary Parliament of the Sheldonian Theatre, Wellington announced his intention to

To what?

 

[SteveW]

To what?

Thanks, good point, and now amended! Oops...

 

[LordKalvan]

A vein of madness in the family is quite well known, but William appears much worse than in OTL. And the same thing goes for the Iron Duke (who in OTL had the good sense of refusing to go back as PM).
I suppose that the Parliament and the Lords in joint session can impeach the king, and depose him "for the good of the realm".
The idea of having William abdicate in UK and remain king in Hanover is - how can I say? - bizarre. Any precedent for that?