After entering the nineteenth century, the ties within the global village grew ever closer, and any shift in the international situation could set off a chain reaction.
With the American Civil War over, Britain, France, Austria, and Spain could focus their energies on Europe, greatly increasing the pressure on the Tsarist Government.
The London Government had already begun planning an intervention in the Prusso-Russian War, attempting to use diplomatic means to force the Tsarist Government into concessions and damage Russia's prestige.
It had to be admitted that John Bull's diplomatic methods were formidable. The Paris Government, which the Russians had only just won over, began wavering again, and the Franco-Russian loan was withheld.
This could not be blamed entirely on the French. The Russian army's performance on the battlefield had simply been too disappointing.
Everyone had originally thought that, with its naval advantage, the Tsarist Government would gather troops for a landing and stab the Prussians in the back. Yet because of strategic-material issues, the Tsarist Government had failed to organize any attack worth the name.
Military observers across the world were now condemning the Tsarist Government's strategy, dismissing it as utterly worthless.
Alexander II felt terribly wronged. This war had erupted too suddenly; they had simply had no time to prepare.
In Saint Petersburg, faced with the increasingly grim international situation, Alexander II made his decision—bring the war to a swift conclusion.
The Tsarist Government's ability to keep secrets extended only to groups of fewer than ten people. Once the number of people in the know exceeded that, it leaked like a sieve.
The moment Franz received the news, he knew things were bad. Given the current circumstances, if the Russians fought steadily and methodically, the final victor would unquestionably be Russia.
Do not be fooled by the Prussians'