On February 21, 1852, the Ottoman Empire rejected the rude demands of the Russians, the negotiations in Constantinople ended in failure, and the Russo-Turkish war was inevitable.

This was not a surprise to everyone, and the Russians demanded that no one could agree to it.

If you just knock a little scraps, maybe the rotten Ottoman government will put up with it, but if you want to swallow them in one bite, there is no way to compromise.

A week later, the Sudanese government also rejected Austria's terms, and the countdown to the war began.

Militarily speaking, it is very unwise to fight on two fronts.

Theoretically, if Austria occupied Moldavia and Wallachia, Russia and Turkey would be separated in the Balkans, and the military pressure on the Ottoman Empire would be much less.

Politically, however, the Sudanese government is simply unable to compromise, and if a hint of weakness is shown at this time, the support of Britain and France may change.

If Britain and France don't compromise with the Russians, when the time comes, the four great powers will come together to divide the Ottoman Empire, and it will really be a calf.

Although the Ottoman Empire was decaying, they were still a "great power" on the surface. Until the weak nature was exposed, Britain and France still had confidence in them.

The four major European powers were divided into two waves, and the rest of the countries were naturally neutral and neutral, following the footsteps of their respective bosses and shouting, even if they participated in the war, how could everyone be civilized people to fight and kill?

The Ottoman Empire had a very bad reputation in Europe, and of course the Russians had a bad reputation, they were bad brothers and bad brothers, and they were all persona non grata in Europe.

It's just that the reputation of the Ottoman Empire is more stinky, and the Franz faction has dug up the old accounts of the Ottomans, so the support of the Russians is higher in public opinion.

The reaction of the people gave confidence to the Russians. Nicholas I presented himself as the liberator of Christendom, and Franz also carried this banner.

On March 27, 1852, the Russian Empire officially declared war on the Ottoman Empire, and the Ninth Russo-Turkish War broke out.

On March 28, on the orders of Nicholas I, the Russian army launched an offensive against the Ottoman Empire.

This time, the tsarist government was very well-behaved, operated in strict accordance with international practice, and did not engage in any undeclared war.

Vienna

Before the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War, the Russians informed Austria in accordance with the Covenant, and Franz immediately ordered the whole army to prepare for war, and at the same time held an enlarged conference of the military and political parties.

Marshal Radesky pointed to the military map and analyzed: "Everyone, please see, according to the judgment of our General Staff, the Russians have three offensive routes to choose from this time.

First, to launch an offensive from the Caucasus; second, to launch an offensive from the Balkans; Third, launch an attack from the sea.

The Russian army is attacking from the Caucasus, which has little to do with us and can be ignored.

If they attack from the Balkans, they will have to occupy the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, which are our sphere of influence, as agreed.

Then we must take action, otherwise the westward expansion strategy will be a gang, as long as the Russians leak the secret treaty, Britain, France and Prussia will stare at us to death.

If they attack from the sea, then there are more landing sites to choose from, and all port cities on the Black Sea coast of the Ottoman Empire are possible.

Militarily, all three lines of attack were feasible, and the Russians might choose one or two of them, or all three. ”

Without the intervention of Britain and France, the Russians had too many options. The decaying Ottoman Empire was full of loopholes, and it was simply impossible to prevent it.

Once the Anglo-French intervened, the sea offensive did not exist. It's okay for the Black Sea Fleet to bully the Ottoman Navy, but when it encounters the British and French Navy, it can only deliver food.

For Austria, the most difficult thing for them was that the Russians fought along the Balkans, and if the Russians occupied the Danube, it would be difficult for them to withdraw.

As for the covenant, from the moment it was signed, it was meant to be torn up. As long as the interests are large enough, any alliance is unreliable.

Metternich thought for a moment and said: "The strategy of westward expansion must not be exposed, and if it attracts the attention of all countries, it will be difficult for us to unify the South German region." ”

Everyone nodded one after another, Austria had already paid too much for the westward expansion strategy, and if it was exposed at a critical moment, it would be a big loss.

Austria wanted to unify South Germany, not to destroy South Germany.

In the event of a surprise attack, with the help of the Belt and Road Party, Munich was captured at the first opportunity, and the war could basically be declared over.

In essence, the westward expansion strategy is "three parts military, seven points political." Austria mainly used political inducements to surrender to these state governments, and military strikes were only auxiliary.

If the plan is exposed, with the support of the Great Powers, the South German States and Austria will fight to the end, and even if they win, they will not lose more than they will lose.

If there is a lot of blood on both sides, it will be difficult to rule these places. Austria's annexation of South Germany was intended to increase national power, not to increase trouble.

Marshal Radesky thought for a moment and said: "Then we have only two choices, one is to immediately launch a westward strategy and take them by surprise.

It's just that in this way, the possibility of the French intervening is very high, and we must be prepared to fight the French first.

Second, continue to implement the alternative Balkan strategy and release smoke bombs to the outside world.

As long as we provoke a war in the Balkans, even if the Russian-Austrian secret treaty is leaked, Britain and France will be misled by us. ”

It is clearly not in the interest of Austria to do it now, and it is acting as a back-bearer for the Russians. Austria picked France, and even with the support of the British, the Ottoman Empire could not hold back the Russians.

It is also not easy to release smoke grenades, it is easy to provoke a war, but it is difficult to quell it. Perhaps the Anglo-French forces ran over to Austria before they could find the Russians in bad luck.

Prime Minister Felix said with a serious expression: "We have expected this situation for a long time, and once the Russians take military action, we will immediately follow up, and they will attack along the Balkan Peninsula."

However, the two principalities of the Danube Valley, we must also send troops to occupy them. Russia cannot be allowed to swallow it in one gulp.

As long as the Russian-Turkish war cannot be resolved quickly, they cannot do without our support, and the Russians will not break the contract at this time. ”

Franz nodded in agreement, and that was it. No strategy can guarantee foolproof, as the emperor naturally cannot rush to the front, and must leave room for buffer.

In case something happens in the middle of the way, causing the plan to fail, someone has to bear the blame? The cabinet is the most suitable choice, and politics is so cruel.

Of course, Franz is a good boss, and it's okay to help him carry the black pot, at most, he will be driven home for a few years, and he can come back after the limelight is over.

This kind of thing hasn't happened too much in history. Almost every successful emperor has played like this.

……

On March 28, 1852, Austria, following the Russians, also submitted its war to the Ottoman Empire, and the war in the Near East expanded.

Constantinople

After receiving the war letters from the Russians and Austrians, the Sudanese government gave up the last ounce of hope, and Abdul Mejid I also declared war on the two countries.

In terms of courage, Abdul Majid I was still a qualified emperor and did not back down at this time.

Theoretically, Abdul Mejid I now has a million troops under his command, and with the support of Britain and France, they have changed to modern weapons, and as a defensive side, they are not without the strength to fight.

"What did the British and French representatives say, when will they be able to send reinforcements?" Abdul Mejid I asked with concern

The Foreign Secretary replied: "Your Majesty, the British and French representatives have expressed their support for us, but it will take some time to send reinforcements.

If we agree, the Anglo-French Navy can immediately enter the Black Sea and suppress the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Britain and France also agreed to have the instructors who helped us train the army join the war, but they had to fight as commanders. ”

It is easy to please God, it is difficult to send God, it is easy to invite the Anglo-French fleet into the Black Sea, but it is difficult to let them leave.

The suppression of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russians was only one aspect, for Britain and France to control the Black Sea straits, it could also increase their voice in the Ottoman Empire, which was accompanied by a large number of economic benefits.

Abdul Mejid I frowned, he knew that British and French aid was not easy to get, and there were no conditions before, so wasn't he waiting here?

Before the outbreak of the war in the Near East, how could the concessions that the Ottoman Empire was able to make be as big as after the outbreak of the war?

Now it is time to see that the military instructors sent by Britain and France participated in the war as commanders, which was to ask the Ottoman government for the command of the army.

Once the Sultan government made a compromise, it would be difficult for the future Ottoman Empire to break free from British and French control. This is a conspiracy, even if Abdul Mejid I knew that there was a hole in front of him, he had to jump in.

"Tell them that as long as the British and French reinforcements can come in advance, I will agree!" Abdul Mejid I gritted his teeth

For him, agreeing to such conditions is undoubtedly an insult to his dignity, but reality has no choice.

The Near East War broke out, and the Ottoman Empire could not do without the support of Britain and France. Britain and France needed to provide weapons and equipment, military expenses needed to be provided by Britain and France, and Britain and France needed reinforcements to win the war.

……

On March 28, 1852, the Russian army launched an offensive in the Caucasus; On March 29, the Russian army attacked the Danube Valley, and on the same day Austria also sent troops to the Danube Valley.

In the face of the simultaneous attack of the Russians and Austria, the autonomous governments of the two principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia surrendered very neatly.

There was no bloody battle for the Ottoman Empire, the Romanians had no intention of working for the Sultan, and they had not rebelled against the Ottoman Empire for a day or two.

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