Franz refrained from expressing his position prematurely. His goal was to unite all the different ethnic groups within Austria, but accomplishing such a task was more complicated than it might seem. Except for the lower-class commoners who had limited awareness of nationalism, most people would probably find it difficult to fully embrace this idea. If they can’t get everyone’s true approval and instead settle for a superficial Austrian identity, the result could be quite embarrassing. The origins of nationalism can be traced back to 18th-century Europe when the bourgeoisie initiated a movement to challenge theocracy and feudalism. It was the impetus of nationalism that drove the victories of the bourgeois class revolution from 1789 to 1871 and the subsequent establishment of the nation-state system. In the conservative context of Southeastern Europe, the rise of nationalism was significantly shaped by the ideological influence of the great powers. Hungarian nationalism, for example, was inspired by French ideas. It is currently in its infancy, and the actual formation of the future Hungarian nation depends on the integration of the common people. In the mid-19th century, the Russian government, driven by its expansionist ambitions, fanned the flames of “Pan-Slavism”. This wave of nationalism spread throughout the Balkans and eventually played a pivotal role in sparking the First World War. “Mr. Karl, if we were to establish an Austrian ethnicity, what would happen to the existing ethnic groups? Should we withdraw from Germany and create a separate Austrian Empire?” Prime Minister Felix asked, his expression of concern evident. A heavy silence filled the room as his question lingered, casting a shadow over the atmosphere. “When the Holy Roman Empire fell in 1806, Austria had already asserted its independence from Germany. Can we now try to resurrect the Holy Roman Empire?” Karl countered, his response tinged with skepticism. “The unification of Germany is an unattainable goal. Austria can maintain its independence apart from Germany, but we must not give up our German heritage. It is a matter of principle. Trying to replace the various ethnic groups within Austria with a single ethnicity is impractical. Even we wouldn’t support such an approach. However, it’s possible to downplay the concept of ethnicity and instead emphasize Austria as a unified nation,” said Metternich with the wisdom of experience. Franz furrowed his brow, confirming that everyone in the room did indeed have differing opinions. It was a time when the challenges of governing a multiethnic nation had not yet been fully recognized. For a long time, governments in various countries had used ethnic tensions to mask underlying class conflicts. Now, at this critical moment, Franz felt compelled to speak out. 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 was in danger of dissolving. “We can approach this question from different perspectives. All the ethnic groups in Austria together form the Austrian Empire, and Austrian ethnicity can include all Austrians. The creation of a widely accepted national identity that would gradually replace the current multitude of ethnic groups within Austria would greatly reduce internal ethnic tensions. At the very least, it would help to prevent events such as the recent Hungarian Rebellion.” “Your Highness, even without nationalism, ambitious individuals can find other causes to rally behind. They will never run out of excuses. We would be giving up our leadership in Germany. Is it worth it?” Archduke Louis asked, revealing a hint of inner conflict. His words were quite polite, as he could have used harsher terms like “fool,” “coward,” or “traitor” if he wanted to express his disagreement more forcefully. The core of Austria’s identity is closely tied to the Germanic people, and this situation is unlikely to change until ethnic integration is achieved. If they were to abandon their Germanic identity, it would mean abandoning the very foundation of their governance. “No, Archduke Louis! Who said anything about giving up our leadership in Germany?” Franz replied. Without waiting for a response, Franz continued, “Let me be clear: Germany, despite its fragmentation, occupies a strategically vital position at the heart of Europe. Whoever controls this region effectively controls the entire continent. However, it’s unfortunate that we currently lack the strength to unite Germany, and other European nations are unwilling to accept such a unification. In the context of Austria’s leadership within the German Confederation, its importance is largely symbolic. Internally, Austria faces challenges from Prussia and external pressures from other nations. However, these gains are mostly superficial. In reality, has Austria really benefited from its association with Germany? From an investment perspective, Austria’s resources devoted to the German region have consistently resulted in net losses, while Prussia has reaped significant benefits. Given this situation, why not consider temporarily diverting resources away from the German region and focusing on other areas with more promising returns on investment? As for the German region, it is enough for us to maintain Austria’s influence. The balance of power within the German region shouldn’t be Austria’s sole responsibility; it’s a task that should be shared with our allies to distribute the burden evenly.” Franz was indeed considering a shift in Austria’s strategic focus. Continuing to confront the German region head-on would only lead to internal clashes with Prussia and external scrutiny from France. What would be the point of such a stance? Although Austria had several subordinate allies in the German region, Franz couldn’t assume that they would provide unwavering support if he openly pursued German unification. Such a revelation could lead to a dramatic reversal of their circumstances, with the world turning against them. One can look to his ancestor, Maximilian the Great, as a concrete example. When he revealed his ambitions for German unification, it ultimately ended in tragedy due to the combined efforts of the French and domestic princes. During this time, the House of Habsburg was undeniably powerful, with an empire on which the sun never set. They accomplished remarkable feats, such as incorporating the prosperous Kingdom of Spain and occupying significant parts of Italy. Their domains also extended into the territories of the Netherlands and Belgium. Franz wasn’t worried about the possibility of Austria being expelled from the German region because of the promotion of Austrian nationalism. The German princes were not naive. They understood that Austria and Prussia mutually restrained each other, ensuring the prosperity of their domains. If one power were to dominate, it would be detrimental to all. After years of fusions and realignments, everyone recognized how important it was to maintain a delicate balance. The Northern German States leaned toward Prussia, while the Southern German States leaned toward Austria. Franz’s words had a clear implication. It meant abandoning the long-standing policy of continental balance, especially since the “Metternich system” had already collapsed. Rebuilding it would cost Austria dearly. “Your Highness, do you intend to shift Austria’s strategic focus to Italy?” Metternich inquired with a hint of concern. “No, Austria’s primary strategic focus will continue to revolve around our territories for the time being. As for the Italian region, our approach will be to use the Kingdom of Sardinia as a deterrent to others,” Franz replied, shaking his head. Upon hearing Franz’s answer, a collective sigh of relief went through the room. It was widely acknowledged that the Italian region presented significant challenges, particularly due to the complicated involvement of Great Britain and France. The decision to concentrate efforts on dealing with the Kingdom of Sardinia was seen as a practical solution. After all, Austria’s reaction was a direct consequence of Sardinia’s own actions, which justified Austria’s retaliation.
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