Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 63: Shift of Strategic Focus

Franz hesitated to make a hasty declaration. His aim was to unite all the ethnic groups in Austria, but accomplishing such a feat was not as straightforward as it seemed. Except for the commoners in the lower class who had little awareness of the concept of nationalism, the vast majority of people would likely struggle to accept it wholeheartedly.

If genuine approval from all individuals could not be attained and they merely established a superficial Austrian ethnicity, the final outcome would potentially be extremely awkward.

The roots of nationalism can be traced back to 18th-century Europe, where the bourgeoisie initiated a movement to challenge religious authority and feudalism.

It was through the impetus of nationalism that the victories of the bourgeois class revolution from 1789 to 1871 and the subsequent establishment of the nation-state system were achieved.

In the conservative realm of Southeastern Europe, the emergence of nationalism owes much to the ideological influence exerted by major powers.

Take, for instance, Hungarian nationalism, which found its roots in the ideas propagated by the French. It is only now taking its initial steps, with the true formation of the future Hungarian nation awaiting the assimilation of the common people.

During the mid-19th century, the Russian imperial government, driven by its ambitions for aggressive warfare, sparked the flames of “Pan-Slavism.” This fervor of nationalism spread throughout the Balkan region, eventually becoming the pivotal trigger for the outbreak of the world war.

“Mr. Karl, if we were to establish an Austrian ethnicity, what would happen to the existing ethnic groups? Should we withdraw from the German-speaking region and establish a separate Austrian empire?” Prime Minister Felix inquired, his brows furrowed with concern.

A heavy silence descended upon the room as his question hung in the air, dampening the atmosphere.

“Back in 1806, when the Holy Roman Empire collapsed, Austria had already asserted its independence from the German-speaking region. Can we now attempt to revive the Holy Roman Empire?” Karl countered, his response echoing with a touch of skepticism.

“Unifying the German-speaking region is an unattainable goal. Austria can maintain its independence separate from the German-speaking region, but we must not relinquish our German heritage. It is a matter of principle,” Metternich expressed with seasoned wisdom.

“Attempting to substitute one ethnicity for the diverse ethnic groups present within Austria is evidently impractical. Even we ourselves would not endorse such an approach. However, it is feasible to de-emphasize the concept of ethnicity and instead emphasize Austria as a nation,” he added, his words carrying a sense of thoughtful deliberation.

Franz's brow furrowed, confirming that indeed everyone present held opposing views. It was an era where the perils of a multiethnic nation had not yet been fully realized. For an extended period, governments across various countries had employed ethnic tensions as a cover-up for underlying class conflicts.

Now, at this critical juncture, Franz found himself compelled to speak up. The burden on Finance Minister Karl was becoming overwhelming, and if Franz didn't offer his support soon, the very essence of Austrian national identity risked dissipating into thin air.

“We can approach this issue from separate angles. All the ethnic groups in Austria collectively form the Austrian Empire, and the Austrian nation can encompass all Austrians. Constructing a widely accepted national identity that gradually replaces the current multitude of ethnic groups within Austria would significantly reduce internal ethnic tensions. At the very least, it would help prevent events like the recent Hungarian rebellion.”

“Your Highness, even without nationalism, ambitious individuals can still find other banners to rally behind. They will never be short of excuses. In doing so, we would forfeit our leadership in the German-speaking region. Is it truly worth it?” Archduke Louis asked with a hint of dilemma.

His words were already quite courteous, for if he were to express it differently, he might have used harsh terms like “fool,” “coward,” or “traitor.”

The core foundation of Austria rests upon the Germanic people, and this situation is unlikely to change until ethnic integration is accomplished. If the abandonment of the Germanic identity were to occur, it would signify forsaking the very basis of their governance.

“No, Archduke Louis! Who said we are going to abandon our leadership in the German-speaking region?” Franz questioned in response.

Without waiting for a response, Franz continued, “No, Archduke Louis! Let me clarify: the German-speaking region, despite its fragmented state, holds a vital strategic position at the core of Europe. Whoever controls this region effectively wields power over the entire continent. However, it is regrettable that we currently lack the strength to unite the German-speaking region, and the other European nations are unwilling to accept such unification.”

Within this context, the leadership of Austria, as a Germanic confederation, holds more of a symbolic significance. Internally, they are confronted with the challenges posed by the Prussians, while simultaneously encountering external pressures from other nations.

And their gains are merely superficial, only in appearance. In reality, has Austria truly derived any benefits from its affiliation with the Germanic region?

From an investment perspective, the resources invested by Austria in the Germanic region over the years have consistently yielded net losses, while the Prussians, on the other hand, have enjoyed significant benefits.

Given this situation, why don't they consider temporarily abandoning investment in the Germanic region and redirecting their focus to other areas with higher investment returns?

“As for the Germanic region, it is enough for us to preserve Austria's influence. Maintaining the balance in the Germanic region is not solely our affair; it is a task that should be shared with our allies to keep everyone occupied.”

Indeed, Franz was considering shifting Austria's strategic focus. If they continued to stubbornly confront the Germanic region, they would face the constraints of Prussia internally and the watchful eyes of the French externally. What good would that do?

Despite having many subordinate allies in the Germanic region, Austria shouldn't assume that they would have unwavering support if Franz were to openly express ambitions for German unification. Such a revelation would lead to a dramatic reversal of the situation, with the world turning against them.

One can refer to his ancestor, Emperor Maximilian, as a specific example. When he revealed his ambitions to unify the Germanic region, it ultimately ended in tragedy with the combined efforts of the French and domestic princes.

The Habsburg family during that era was truly formidable, with an empire on which the sun never set. They achieved remarkable feats, such as the incorporation of the flourishing Spanish Kingdom, as well as the occupation of large parts of Italy. Additionally, their domains extended to the territories of the Netherlands and Belgium.

As for whether Austria would be expelled from the German-speaking region due to promoting Austrian nationalism, Franz was not worried in the slightest.

The German princes were no fools. With Austria and Prussia mutually keeping each other in check, their respective fortunes would prosper. If one power were to dominate, it would spell both their doom.

After years of mergers and reorganizations, everyone understood the importance of maintaining a delicate balance. The northern German states gravitated towards Prussia, while the southern German principalities leaned towards Austria.

The implicit meaning behind Franz's words was clear to everyone. It meant abandoning the long-standing policy of continental balance. After all, the "Metternich System" had already collapsed. If they were to rebuild, the price Austria would have to pay would be immense.

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

"No, Austria's strategic focus will remain within our own borders for now. As for the Italian region, we'll deal with the Kingdom of Sardinia as a warning to others," Franz replied, shaking his head.

After hearing Franz's response, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. It was widely acknowledged that the Italian region was not an easy territory to meddle with, considering the intricate involvement of both England and France.

Just focusing on targeting the Kingdom of Sardinia would solve the problem. After all, it was Sardinia's own doing, and it would be unreasonable to expect Austria not to retaliate, right?