The South American War on the Brink

Profit stirred the heart. Austria was unwilling to yield to the British on the South American question, and France was likewise unwilling to see its own interests damaged.

After Peru and Bolivia decided to continue the war, the Paris Government readily agreed.

As time passed, the French Empire continued to grow stronger, while nationalism within the country flourished.

The rising nationalists naturally refused to remain beneath the British. Coupled with the force of a century of hatred and conflicts of interest, the French public was deeply hostile toward the pro-British faction within the government.

During Napoleon III's era, his achievement of annexing the Italian region had still allowed him to suppress those contradictions.

By Napoleon IV's era, however, the situation had changed. No sooner had he ascended the throne than the government descended into a chaotic brawl, with the pro-British faction that held sway over the government coming under siege from all sides.

Politicians were the most pragmatic people. Choosing to side with Britain had merely served their interests. Now it was no longer necessary and had even become a burden—a nuisance—so changing political positions was only natural.

It was not only toward the British. In recent years, the Paris Government's foreign policy had become far tougher than it had been under Napoleon III.

In this age where the weak were prey to the strong, diplomatic toughness naturally rested upon a foundation of formidable strength.

It had to be admitted that France's strength had grown rapidly over the past few decades, accompanied by a surge in nationalism. Especially after the annexation of the Italian region, expansionist sentiment within France had also grown intense.

While Napoleon III was on the throne, capital was restrained, and interest groups still knew to hold themselves back somewhat. After Napoleon IV succeeded him, the government