Following its most recent defeat, the conservative factions within the Prussian Free State revolted and threatened to overthrow the government. On a particular day in June, French observers noted over 25,000 rebels were fighting about 18,000 loyal Prussian troops. A public official, who was secretly financed by Paris, reported that another additional 15,000 rebels were prepared to march to Berlin if the besieging force needed assistance. France, for its part, pledged to allow Prussia sort its affairs out. France’s neutrality in the matter was only assured by the lack of troops that were available.
The troops that were “available” were finishing up their campaign in southern Germania. On August 11th, the Kingdom of Bavaria would see its fortunate of being a former-ally of France stripped. The former kingdom of Baden, former Prussian Sigmaringen and Hesse-Nassu would be transferred to the French Empire. Though there was pressure to absorb the Kingdom of Bavaria into the Empire, such temptations were resisted.
Another such temptation was to acquire Dutch European territory; however such a thought process was overridden. The Netherlands’s holdings in Europe were not necessary to the French war effort at this time. France’s industry did not lack resources from Holland, but rather its colonies in the Caribbean. In the treaty signed September 25th in Paris, the Dutch would cede their Caribbean islands to French subjugation.
In October, the Kingdom of Württemberg would be annexed into the French Empire. With the annexation of Württemberg, the coalition opposing France was effectively reduced to the United Kingdom and the Russian Empire. Britain had greatly increased its defenses of the homeland since the last war; thus an invasion of England was thought suicidal. Plus, if the invasion did work, there would be little benefit. The real jewel of the Empire was India; yet Napoleon II had forbidden additional reinforcements to be sent to the front as they were scarce enough on the Continent.
There was then the question of Russia. All generals, Napoleon II and the heir apparent Prince Philippe opposed another campaign to invade Russia. Although the Empire could muster a grand army, of 800,000, it would not be enough to quell the possible uprisings. What if Austria were to betray the peace treaty? What if Scandinavia – though having French sympathies – were to be lured by incentives by territory in northern Germania by Britain? What if Spain were to be given provoking by Britain? The troops could not be spared; thus no expedition to Russia would occur.
On November 11th, 1854, church bells from the Cathedral of Notre Dame were heard ringing with a tone of sorrow...