Start 1861: I just inherited the Dutch throne

Chapter 1129 The Influence of the Queen’s Diplomacy

“In order to retaliate against Britain for seizing control of the Suez Canal, France chose to engage in ‘Queen’s Diplomacy’ with Tsarist Russia.

Tsarist Russia would naturally not reject France's overtures, because Prussia, which it had previously supported, had risen too quickly. In just over ten years, the largest land power in Europe turned from France to the German Empire. The Tsarist Russian Empire actually ranked behind the German Empire because of its weapons.

This made Alexander III very dissatisfied.

In addition to being angry, he was deeply afraid of the German Empire.

Although Tsarist Russia and the Netherlands were quasi-allies, the two countries cooperated in Europe and the Far East to contain Britain.

Nowadays, Tsarist Russia is more wary of the rise of Germany. In the Crimean War, Franz Joseph I marched on the border with Tsarist Russia and Nicholas I was defeated and committed suicide, which made the hatred between Russia and Austria-Hungary even deeper.

Therefore, France and Britain fell out over the Suez Canal, Germany lost France's face because of its defeat in 1871, and the southern territory was divided and autonomous with German support.

Therefore, France and Britain are at loggerheads.

Although there are some differences between Tsarist Russia, they are almost the same.

The two countries share the same hatred.

At this time, Tsarist Russia will naturally accept the olive branch offered by France."

Albert Christian William, born in 1865, will turn 18 in a few months. He is the eldest son of William IV and Queen Alexandra, Prince of Orange, Duke of Nassau, and Grand Duke of Australia.

At this moment, he is sitting in the courtyard of the Dutch royal court. Under the visible supervision of William IV and Queen Alexandra, he and other members of the royal family are taking the exam from their political teacher Hermann Van Peron.

Hermann Van Peron just asked what the key factors were in the closeness between France and Russia, and then Albert replied with the above content.

Hermann Van Peron directly gave him an advantage, and then looked aside to the 15-year-old tall and graceful Grand Duchess Anna Christian of Phu Quoc Island, the second child and eldest daughter of William IV and Queen Alexandra. William (Princess Anna for short) asked: "Your Royal Highness, do you think you have anything to add?"

Compared with the king and his wife’s eldest son, Prince Albert, he is diligent and very enthusiastic about politics.

The eldest daughter of the king and his wife in front of them has always been relatively indifferent to politics. On the contrary, she is very enthusiastic about fairy tales, if it were not for their royal fairy tale teacher Andersen.

Andersen fell ill in 1875. Fortunately, he received timely medical treatment and escaped the threat of death.

Over the years, I still come from Denmark to Melbourne, Australia, from time to time to teach a few children.

Compared with Prince Albert and Princess Anna, the 1870-year-old twins Archduke Jacques Christian William of Congo and Grand Duchess Mary Christian William of Kenya, who were born in 12, have different hobbies.

Prince Yak likes scientific research, so he has been in constant contact with President Edison of the Royal Academy of Sciences from time to time to learn about industrial technology research.

On the contrary, Princess Mary liked literature. Her teachers turned out to be the father of drama, Strindberg, and the vice-president of the Literary Society, Mark Twain. She even often asked Van Gogh, the chairman of the Dutch Painting Association, for painting advice.

The different interests of these children made Herman Van Peilon a little puzzled.

Because William IV actually encouraged these princes to study along their own hobbies, instead of letting their children study politics like the European royal families did.

The biggest example is that Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom not only allowed her sons to enter politics, but also entered the military. Obviously, the military and government wanted to install members of the royal family to better control the power of the British Empire.

In addition, the Queen of England also allows her princesses to serve as her political private secretaries when they are 18 years old. They will stay with her for two years to familiarize them with the operation of the country. At the same time, they will also experience first-hand how the Queen treats international and domestic affairs. How to resolve political disputes and make political decisions during disputes can be regarded as a step-by-step political education for his daughters. Even in small and medium-sized countries, Denmark and Sweden have made children’s participation in politics one of the required royal courses.

Their purpose is obviously to train their children to be familiar with politics. At the same time, whether they marry a wife or marry into the royal family of another country, they can quickly start a marriage in the interests of their own family and safeguard the political interests of the family.

Because of this, Herman Van Peilon was even more puzzled.

Although he has mentioned it many times, His Majesty William IV remains indifferent.

Is it because he is afraid that his children will compete with Prince Albert for power in the future, so he does not want the other three children to enter too many political circles?

But since he is a member of the royal family, he is destined to be involved in politics from the day he was born.

Herman Van Peron was thinking wildly, but received Princess Anna's answer.

"I think Albert's answer is great. If I want to add something, actually what I want to say is that since Russia and France have a unified view on the issue of Britain and Germany, and they are both afraid, then the issue of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is also It should be the same.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire is currently launching a war in Mexico and is unwilling to stop. On the one hand, their victory on the battlefield makes them feel that it is not the right time to stop. They may feel that they can go further, occupy more territory, and gain more advantages in negotiations. condition.

The Netherlands, the United States and even Brazil have issued diplomatic statements expressing their condemnation. At the same time, we in the Netherlands have even stated that we will intervene in this war.

In this case, I think the good relations announced by France and Russia at this time can be used as a condition for us, the Netherlands, to cooperate with the two countries to prevent Mexico from continuing the invasion war? Just like in Mr. Andersen's fairy tales that I like, the bad guys often want to face the fate of being defeated. "

Anna's words made Herman Van Peilon's eyes light up.

It's not that Princess Anna speaks well, but that she can speak so clearly at her age proves that her political talent is really good.

He quickly looked at William IV and Queen Alexandra to see if they were as surprised as he was.

But he was surprised. The two of them didn't show any joy, but frowned.

Seeing this, he immediately understood that the king and his wife were still unwilling to let the eldest daughter enter the political arena.

He looked expectantly at Prince Yake and Princess Mary. Their immature faces immediately began to express their opinions.

Although not as amazing as Anna and Albert, the answer is pretty good for this age.

Once again, it is a pity for the political talents of several princes and princesses.

After a few people left with Queen Alexandra, William IV said angrily: "Okay, don't act like you are desperate to live or die, as if I owe you."

William IV smiled and scolded the guy in front of him who was both a teacher and a friend in a friendly manner.

Hermann Van Peron can be said to be one of his most useful trump cards in the 1860s, helping him to control many voices in the Netherlands at that time, and because of him, the voice of the Netherlands was heard internationally.

"Your Majesty, by bringing France and Russia closer together, we may be able to push for the end of the Mexican War as Princess Anna said." Herman Van Peron said.

William IV said: "I think it's still early. Our benefits haven't been reached yet. Let's wait a little longer."

(End of this chapter)