Events

It was only a few months after the Sicilian Subjugation Conflict began. Right as the nation was gripped by war, everyone was shocked and surprised when news was announced that Kaiser Ferdinand had abdicated and his nephew, Franz Joseph had succeeded his place. While it was not surprising - the Kaiser had long been known to have a council that mostly ruled in his place.

In memory of the Kaiser - a moment of history will be replayed here: When apricots were out of season and apricot dumplings could not be served, he is said to have commanded, "I am the Emperor and I want dumplings!" 

Truly, a model man of our time.

There had not been time to process the surprise of the abdication of the Kaiser when news came that Metternich had also retired! This was even more shocking - especially during a time of war. His protege, Felix von Schwarzenberg, nephew of the famed Karl Philipp von Schwarzenberg, was appointed leader of the faction he lead in politics. He left a speech behind before shutting the doors on his long and storied political career:

"Europe is once again embroiled by war and by the revolutions of the lower masses. The Congress of Vienna - its failure has led to this. We will see a continent seized by passion and blood. Where diplomacy and the pen could have kept the peace will now be dominated by the war and the sword. Though I have tried, it remains beyond my power to stop this current. 

I retire, knowing that my capabilities, waning that they are, can no longer serve the country as I used to. I leave my country and go to rest however in some satisfaction that the Austria under my foreign affairs direction will have secured its borders after the Italian affair. It will be essential that even though war is the tool of some, the tool of Austria is the wisdom of wit and diplomacy. May God bless Austria."