Chapter 157: A Willow Planted by Chance Grows into Shade
Since the Holy Roman Economic Union had been established, the economies of its member states had become closely intertwined, and trade volumes between them had soared rapidly.
Take Bavaria as an example. In 1850, its total import and export trade with Austria rose by 23 percent, with imports increasing by 32 percent and exports by 7 percent.
For the Kingdom of Bavaria, its trade deficit with Austria expanded to eight million gulden in 1850, dealing a severe blow to the development of Bavaria's capitalist economy.
Of course, everything had two sides. Because of its geographical position, Austria's trade with the other states of South Germany had to pass through Bavaria, which also drove the development of Bavaria's domestic transport industry.
Whether Bavaria had lost or gained was difficult to say clearly. But one thing was certain: those engaged in import and export trade had made money.
These people shared one trait: most were local powerholders—the nobility. European nobles had no disdain for commerce; they would not pick a fight with money.
To ensure the Union's smooth establishment, Austria had naturally drawn in a portion of the powerful nobility. It was precisely through their efforts that the economic union had been brought into being.
Interests were always the best catalyst. Even though Bavaria had now aligned itself with the Kingdom of Prussia diplomatically, its economy remained completely unaffected.
Maximilian I did not dare touch the cheese of the interest groups. If trade were cut off, the royal family itself would be among the greatest losers, and things might well start falling apart within his own house first.
The railway-building fever in Austria had inevitably affected the Kingdom of Bavaria as well, and popular calls for privately built railways grew louder and