Chapter 379 Intervention in the Civil War

London, since the Vienna government proposed to deal with the US issue first, immediately attracted the attention of the British government.

As the world's first colonial empire, there are British people everywhere. Not to mention North America, Canada is there, and among the European countries, they have the greatest interests in North America.

No matter how great the interests of the Americas are, they are still greater than those of Europe. John Bull's national policy has always given priority to ensuring the balance of the continent. The Russo-Prussian war broke out and the government in London had to devote more energy to the European continent.

Foreign Minister Raislin analyzed: "The situation on the European continent is already very dangerous. Once the Russians concentrate their efforts, the Prussians are likely to be unable to withstand it. We must be prepared to intervene in this war.

Now that Prussia and Russia are still in a stalemate, it does not mean that the Prussians have the strength to compete with the Russians. There are three main reasons for the deadlock on the battlefield:

First, the tsarist government did not pay attention to the opponent of the Kingdom of Prussia, and until now, the Russians have not done their best;

Second, the Russians had financial problems and could not afford huge military expenditures. The tsarist government wanted to win the war with as little military expenditure as possible;

Third, the Prussians who had the upper hand did not dare to take the risk of a decisive battle with the Russians, they could not afford to lose this war. The Berlin government was prepared to exploit the weakness of the Russians' lack of funds to force the Tsarist government to compromise.

If any of these three points change, the European continent may undergo major changes, and we must remain vigilant.

If the Prussians win the war, it is acceptable, but if the Russians win the war, it is very likely that Russia, France and Austria will divide the kingdom of Prussia into three parts.

In the past ten years, the strength of France and Austria has developed very rapidly. The two countries' army and navy occupy the second and third places in the world respectively. They are our biggest enemies after the Russians.

If we let them continue to expand, sooner or later they will threaten us. Fortunately, the three countries of Russia, France and Austria are crowded into the European continent, which creates an opportunity for us.

At present, the European continent as a whole is still in a three-legged relationship. Russia, the European hegemon, can only suppress the strength of one family, but there is no way to suppress the two of them at the same time.

In order to maintain hegemony, Nicholas I chose to form an alliance with the Austrians, reducing one enemy.

However, with the change in the power balance between the two countries, the importance of the Russian-Austrian alliance to Austria is gradually declining. This European change is an opportunity to split the Russian-Austrian alliance.

By contrast, the American Civil War was on the back burner. Although the United States has a unique geographical location, they are only a new immigrant country. The centripetal force of the people is not strong enough, and it will take a long time to catch up.

Moreover, because of the Civil War, we have created an opportunity to divide America.

The original plan was to split the United States into five countries. Now, because of the changes in Europe, the power that countries can invest is limited, and it is no longer possible to do so.

However, according to the current situation, as long as we push, the split between the north and the south will become a foregone conclusion, and the Indians can be made independent.

After the division, the United States has a longer time to develop. We can also support the southern government to check and balance the northern government and maintain the balance of the American continent. "

Minister of Finance Agarwal questioned: "The plan is very good, but is it really feasible? What if there is an early change on the Prussian battlefield?"

Foreign Secretary Raislin replied calmly: "No one can guarantee that these plans will succeed, all we can do now is - hurry.

Before the end of the Russian-Prussian War, the North and South sides were forced to sit at the negotiating table. On this point, the position of the Austrians is in line with ours.

The Vienna government was very active in intervening in the American Civil War, the flag of Austria had appeared in Central America, and there was a Habsburg emperor in Mexico.

Whatever the reason, the Habsburg revivalist needs a divided America.

Now the Vienna government is eager to end the American Civil War, in fact, to recover its energy. The Russo-Prussian War had an even greater impact on Austria than on us.

Now Spain is subject to civil strife and has lost most of its voice in the four-nation intervention alliance. As long as we are in the same position as Austria, we can already sway the decision of the alliance. "

In fact, the four-nation interference alliance has now become the three-nation interference alliance. There are problems in Spain, and it has become unknown how determined the government is to interfere in the United States.

Even if they wanted to intervene in the American Civil War, no one knew whether they would deliver on the promised numbers of troops.

However, the Four-Power Intervention Alliance is always more influential than the Three-Power Intervention Alliance. Spain's strength is already at the bottom of the great powers, but their political influence is still there.

Especially in the Americas, there is a large number of Hispanics. The position of the Spanish government can also influence the choices of many people.

It is naturally impossible for John Bull to kick the Spaniards out of the intervening alliance. Of course, in terms of the right to speak, Spain is inevitably weakened.

After a while of silence, John Russell said slowly: "End the American Civil War as soon as possible. If you wait, things may change. The Americans support the accounts of the Irish Independence Organization, and this time I'll do the math with them."

Don't think that John Bull only has interests in his eyes, they are also vengeful.

President Lincoln's final counterattack, of course, distracted the energy of all countries, bought time for the federal government, avoided being divided into five, and also attracted enough hatred.

evidence? Sorry, when did the great powers need evidence? As long as you think it is, that's enough.

Franz did not send anyone to look for evidence that the Americans supported the Hungarian Independence Organization, and the British would not do these futile efforts either.

Only the weak will look for evidence and protest with evidence. As the kings of this era, Britain, France and Austria did not protest to the Americans, and began to prepare for revenge.

This is the basic gameplay of power politics in the 19th century. Only when there is really no other way will people choose to protest, and more often they will directly retaliate.

After all, there are too many conflicts between countries in this era. You stabbed me in the back the day before yesterday, and yesterday I secretly stabbed me back. Everyone has come and gone many times, and it is not clear at all what is right and what is wrong.

Of course, if there is evidence, it is still better. You can exert pressure on public opinion. The final game depends on strength and means.

...

After a round of urgent consultations, on March 7, 1865, the four countries of Britain, France and Océ finally reached an agreement, and the four countries issued a diplomatic note to the North and South on the grounds of maintaining peace in the Americas.

The most powerful British in the Americas became the leader of the alliance. British Minister to the United States Mark Oliver, on behalf of the Coalition for Intervention, negotiated with the North and South.

On March 8, the four countries of Britain, France and Océ held a joint military exercise in the East and West Pacific regions at the same time.

The four countries have assembled more than 200 warships to conduct exercises in the coastal areas of the United States. Some residents of the coastal areas heard the roar of artillery fire.

The North and the South, who are in secret negotiations, have also been stuck in a deadlock because of the distribution of interests and have been unable to reach an agreement.

At this time, the four countries intervened, and President Lincoln's first reaction was that the negotiations were exposed, causing dissatisfaction from all countries.

In order to interfere in the Civil War, everyone has invested a lot of manpower and material resources. If they are allowed to reach a compromise in private, how can the interests of various countries be guaranteed?

Secretary of State Safar analyzed: "Your Excellency President, including you and me, no more than ten people know about the secret negotiation. These people are in high positions, and there is no reason to leak information.

Now the sudden intervention of Britain, France and Ossie is mostly due to the situation in Europe. They don't want to wait any longer, which is a good thing for us. "

The plan worked, but Lincoln wasn't much pleased. Negotiations are now deadlocked, with neither side willing to let go of the battle over Maryland.

Maryland is also one of the slave states. It has now been occupied by the Confederate government. The slave owners in the state have shed blood for the southern government. More than 60,000 people joined the southern army.

If it were abandoned now, it would undoubtedly damage the prestige of the southern government and weaken the centripetal force of the participating states.

The southern government cannot give up, and the northern government cannot give up either. Washington is next to Maryland. Without Maryland as a barrier, Washington is exposed to the eyes of the enemy at any time.

No, it has now been exposed to the eyes of the enemy, and the neighboring state of Virginia joined the southern government early.

At the onset of the Civil War, parts of Virginia near Washington remained loyal to the Union, saving Washington from the embarrassment of being on the front line.

But this is of no use. Most of the urban areas of Washington have been occupied by the war, and the federal government has only defended a few strongholds, indicating that the defense of Washington is still going on.

Secret negotiations began, and the North and South stopped large-scale battles very tacitly. Otherwise, the news of Washington's fall could be heard now.

Either way, Lincoln still didn't want to give up Maryland. Even if he is unpopular in Maryland, he may not get many votes.

"This is really good news, but it also comes with big trouble. With the intervention of the Coalition, there is no way for us to force the southern government to make concessions.

If the interests are right, I don't think the southern government would mind inviting Britain, France, and Ossie to join the negotiation. At that time, we will be passive. "

Lincoln had no illusions about gaining the support of the Four Nations, which was impossible.

A strong U.S. is not in the interests of all countries, and the two sides have already stood on opposite sides because of their support for the revolutionary organizations of various countries not long ago.

Knowing is knowing, this does not mean that he has to make concessions to the southern government. As a politician, one must consider political influence, not just superficial interests.

Perhaps on the surface it seems that giving up Maryland to end the civil war early would cost less than the countries involved in intervening, but can the states of the federal government accept it politically?

You must know that Maryland supports the federal government, although this support is the result of President Lincoln's extraordinary means, this does not affect Maryland being one of the many federal states.

Now that this is abandoned, the centripetal force of the states towards the federal government will decline, and the authority of the federal government will inevitably be weakened.

In contrast, abandoning Maryland, or even more interests, under the intervention of the foreign powers, the people's acceptance is higher.

At that time, it can be whitewashed. This is not because the government is not working hard, but the main reason is that the enemy is too powerful, and there is really no way to compromise.

Especially for individual politicians, choosing the former may lead to resignation under the hat of Southern spies, but choosing the latter can at least gain some sympathy points.

Even if the political life is over, it is better than everyone shouting and beating, right?

Secretary of State Safar said indifferently: "Anyway, it has reached this stage, and the situation is no longer under our control. If we can preserve the core interests of the federal government, we will be worthy of the people's vote."

Indeed, in general they did not bad, even

is excellent. Being able to integrate so many federal states and shopping with the South for so many years is enough to prove their ability.

No matter how powerful they are, they cannot hide the fact that they are losers. Secretary of State Safar has taken a look at it, and their terms are about to expire anyway.

In the new general election, Safar is not ready to participate at all, so as not to humiliate himself when it is time. Whichever unlucky person is elected in the future, let the latecomers clean up the mess.

No, if it weren't for the civil war that delayed the election, the next government would have been elected.

Everyone is not a fool, and no one will jump out and act as a scapegoat until an armistice is signed.

Therefore, the Republicans and Democrats have always believed that during the war, the people of many federal states could not participate in the voting, and now the election cannot represent the will of all the people.

Elections were naturally postponed until after the war, and the Lincoln administration was extended.

Otherwise, Safar and the others would be freed immediately. It has been less than a month since the end of their term of office.

The Lincoln administration must bear the responsibility for the division of the United States before it can get out of the way. This is the common will of all parties.

Of course, Lincoln could also run in the next presidential election. It's just that as a loser, his popular support rate is very low, and there is almost no chance of winning.