Empire Rising: Spain

This alliance treaty makes certain amendments to the previous alliance agreement concerning the three countries, which overall satisfies the governments of all three nations.

The treaty stipulates that if any nation that has signed the alliance treaty goes to war with a fourth country, the other two signatory nations should maintain benevolent neutrality, and strive to localize the conflict.

The concept of conflict localization is easy to understand; it is to avoid a large-scale multi-nation war.

In fact, this is the lesson learned from France’s initiation of the Tunisian war for the three countries. Even though France was thoroughly prepared, it ultimately allowed the Italians to gain significant advantages.

The real reason Italians could gain advantages came from the support of Spaniards, as the intervention of major powers in the war plays an extremely important role.

The localization of conflict ensures that Germany, Russia, and Austria are not concerned about interference from other major powers during the war. After all, allies are not to be underestimated; when the war is intervened by other powers, one’s own allies can also intervene to ensure being not isolated during peace talks.

The second rule stipulated that any changes to Ottoman Empire’s European territories must be approved through common agreement by all signatory nations.

The main purpose of this rule is to ease tensions between Russia and Austria-Hungary. The only European territory of the Ottoman Empire is the Balkan Peninsula, which is precisely targeted by both Russia and Austria-Hungary.

Since the Triple Alliance needs to be maintained, Germany certainly cannot lean towards Austria-Hungary in the conflict between Russia and Austria-Hungary.

The Russian government included this rule mainly to prevent Austria-Hungary, with Germany’s support, from controlling the Balkan Peninsula and obstructing Russia’s path southward.

The third major provision of the treaty, and also the last one, stipulated that the Strait of Constantinople must not be handed over by the Ottoman Empire to any warring nation for military operations.

This point is also very clear, mainly used by Russia to prevent the United Kingdom from blockading its Black Sea Fleet.

The fleets of Germany and Austria-Hungary would not pass through the Strait of Constantinople, and essentially only Russia benefits from this provision.

From the three major provisions of the treaty, it can be seen that Germany and Austria-Hungary had to make certain concessions to keep Russia within the Triple Alliance.

Austria-Hungary promises not to continue expanding in the Balkan Peninsula without Russia’s permission, and Germany promises that Russia will not be blockaded by Britain when at war with it at the Strait of Constantinople.

Germany and Austria-Hungary’s concessions are reciprocated by Russia, which is that Russia would continue staying in the Triple Alliance, and the alliance of France and Russia would merely remain an unlikely guess.

It is uncertain what the United Kingdom and France think about the re-signing of the Triple Alliance treaty, but in any case, maintaining the Triple Alliance is certainly beneficial for Carlo and Spain.

The reason is simple. The Triple Alliance primarily targets France, which makes France absolutely hesitant to completely break with Spain and Italy.

After the signing of the Triple Alliance treaty, Russia would definitely slow down its rapprochement with France.

If France further antagonizes Spain and Italy, almost all of Europe, except for the United Kingdom, would become enemies of France.

Let’s not forget, the hatred between the United Kingdom and France is also deep. In this situation, France would be surrounded and beaten by the entire Europe; not even Napoleon, if he were alive, could lead France to remain Europe’s dominant power in such diplomatic circumstances.

Since France would avoid breaking off relations with Spain and Italy, it means Spain can continue to deepen its development in West Africa Colonies, and expand its existing West Africa Colonies.

These years are the best opportunity for Spain to develop the West Africa Colonies. If according to historical progress, when the Triple Alliance breaks down in a few years and the Franco-Russian Alliance forms, France would be far less courteous to Spain and Italy.

With powerful allies, France would no longer fear a war breaking out with Spain, and Spain should seriously consider the consequence of simultaneously offending two superpowers.

The signing of the Triple Alliance treaty is just one of the international major events occurring during this time. Another international major event is the news of the assassination of the incumbent President Garfield of the United States.

Although the United States is not highly regarded in Europe, it is one of the major powers; thus, the assassination of the President of the United States is not a trivial news.

More importantly, Tsar Alexander II was just assassinated a few months ago, and the assassination of President Garfield of the United States has made monarchs across Europe start worrying about their own safety.

With the development of weapons, assassinating rulers has become increasingly easier. Currently, each country’s rifles have all evolved into breech-loading guns, which have greater shooting power and longer shooting range.

If shot in the torso with a rifle, regardless of a person’s status, death is the only result.

Only those with extraordinarily good luck can survive; but overall, it’s like a nine out of ten men will perish.

The power of rifles isn’t as simple as in games. Especially high-power rifles, when fired, the bullets penetrate the body, creating a huge wound upon penetration.

Although the front diameter of the muzzle is only a few centimeters, the wound on the back often exceeds ten centimeters.

Even if it doesn’t hit the head, as long as it hits the torso, it can cause severe damage to internal organs.