Franz Joseph, Prince of Oppolzer: Difference between revisions

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|monarch    = [[Adalbert of Werania|Adalbert]]
|monarch    = [[Adalbert of Werania|Adalbert]]
|term_start  = 7 October 1860
|term_start  = 7 October 1860
|term_end    = 14 March 1867
|term_end    = 14 March 1869
|predecessor = [[Ferdinand Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim]]
|predecessor = [[Ferdinand Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim]]
|successor  = [[Ludwig Gustav von Middendorff]]
|successor  = [[Ludwig Gustav von Middendorff]]
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|birth_date  = {{Birth date|1808|06|12|df=y}}
|birth_date  = {{Birth date|1808|06|12|df=y}}
|birth_place = Augustenburg, [[Cislania]]
|birth_place = Augustenburg, [[Cislania]]
|death_date  = {{death date and age|1867|03|14|1808|06|12|df=y}}
|death_date  = {{death date and age|1869|03|14|1808|06|12|df=y}}
|death_place = Westbrücken, [[Werania]]
|death_place = Westbrücken, [[Werania]]
|signature  =  
|signature  =  
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| title = Cislanian offices held
| title = Cislanian offices held
| bullets = on
| bullets = on
| 1829-1867: Member of the Cislanian Landtag
| 1829-1869: Member of the Cislanian Landtag
| 1840-1842: Minister of Public Works
| 1840-1842: Minister of Public Works
| 1846-1860: Minister of the Interior
| 1846-1860: Minister of the Interior
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| title = Weranian offices held
| title = Weranian offices held
| bullets = on
| bullets = on
| 1842-1867: Member of the Chamber of Deputies
| 1842-1869: Member of the Chamber of Deputies
| 1842-1846: Minister of Public Works
| 1842-1846: Minister of Public Works
| 1860-1865: Minister of Foreign Affairs
| 1860-1865: Minister of Foreign Affairs
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Xaver Franz Joseph Gerhard, Prince of Oppolzer''' (12 June 1808 - 14 March 1867) was a [[Werania]]n aristocrat and statesmen who served as the fourth [[Premier of Werania]] from 1860 to his death as well as serving as Minister-President of [[Cislania]] from 1846 to 1860. He is best known for his role in the suppression of the [[Ruttland|Jurgaitytė rebellion]] and expanding the Weranian colonial empire and helping formulate an alliance with [[Etruria]].
'''Xaver Franz Joseph Gerhard, Prince of Oppolzer''' (12 June 1808 - 14 March 1869) was a [[Werania]]n aristocrat and statesmen who served as the fourth [[Premier of Werania]] from 1860 to his death as well as serving as Minister-President of [[Cislania]] from 1846 to 1860. He is best known for his role in the suppression of the [[Ruttland|Jurgaitytė rebellion]] and expanding the Weranian colonial empire and helping formulate an alliance with [[Etruria]].


Oppolzer came from one of the most powerful noble families in [[Cislania]] and was a confidante of [[Ulrich von Bayrhoffer]] during [[Weranian Unification]]. He would become Werania's first public works minister in 1842, a position mainly concerned with railway construction and aligned himself with von Bayrhoffer and pan-Weranicists in the [[Bundestag of Werania|Bundestag]]. In 1846 Oppolzer became Minister-President of Cislania leading a pro-government liberal coalition. A moderate liberal Oppolzer as supported the von Bayrhoffer cabinet and often emerged as a key powerbroker between the interests of Cislania and the central government. During the [[War of the Triple Alliance]] he was regarded as being amongst the more dovish and strongly supported the Torrazza accords that ended the war. Following the war Oppolzer supported the use of armed repression towards the revolutionaries during the [[Easter Revolution]] although opposed the tactics used by Adolf von Hoetzsch. He continued as minister-president throughout the 1850's.  
Oppolzer came from one of the most powerful noble families in [[Cislania]] and was a confidante of [[Ulrich von Bayrhoffer]] during [[Weranian Unification]]. He would become Werania's first public works minister in 1842, a position mainly concerned with railway construction and aligned himself with von Bayrhoffer and pan-Weranicists in the [[Bundestag of Werania|Bundestag]]. In 1846 Oppolzer became Minister-President of Cislania leading a pro-government liberal coalition. A moderate liberal Oppolzer as supported the von Bayrhoffer cabinet and often emerged as a key powerbroker between the interests of Cislania and the central government. During the [[War of the Triple Alliance]] he was regarded as being amongst the more dovish and strongly supported the Torrazza accords that ended the war. Following the war Oppolzer supported the use of armed repression towards the revolutionaries during the [[Easter Revolution]] although opposed the tactics used by Adolf von Hoetzsch. He continued as minister-president throughout the 1850's.  
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During his term there was a rebellion in [[Ruttland]] after the Ruttish economy collapsed which was put down by the federal government. Because of this Oppolzer implemented reforms in Ruttland which placed the region under less repressive rule although he baulked at allowing a more democratic system being implemented.  
During his term there was a rebellion in [[Ruttland]] after the Ruttish economy collapsed which was put down by the federal government. Because of this Oppolzer implemented reforms in Ruttland which placed the region under less repressive rule although he baulked at allowing a more democratic system being implemented.  


In foreign affairs Oppolzer supported the notion of rapprochement with other great powers to ensure peace. To this end he supported the creation of an alliance with [[Etruria]] and with deepening the one with [[Estmere]] whilst pursuing moderate reconciliation with [[Gaullica]]. However his Soravophobia led to tensions with the new Soravian republic under [[Eduard Olsov]] and he was unable to reorient from the essentially anti-[[Kirenia|Kirenian]] thrust of Weranian foreign policy. In colonial affairs Oppolzer was more successful overseeing the expansion of colonial outposts in [[Silberküste]] and [[Nainan]] whilst supporting commercial relations with the Asterian powers. Oppolzer would die in office in 1867, the first Weranian premier to do so.  
In foreign affairs Oppolzer supported the notion of rapprochement with other great powers to ensure peace. To this end he supported the creation of an alliance with [[Etruria]] and with deepening the one with [[Estmere]] whilst pursuing moderate reconciliation with [[Gaullica]]. However his Soravophobia led to tensions with the new Soravian republic under [[Eduard Olsov]] and he was unable to reorient from the essentially anti-[[Kirenia|Kirenian]] thrust of Weranian foreign policy. In colonial affairs Oppolzer was more successful overseeing the expansion of colonial outposts in [[Silberküste]] and [[Nainan]] whilst supporting commercial relations with the Asterian powers. Oppolzer would die in office in 1869, the first Weranian premier to do so in office.  


Oppolzer today is often ranked as one of Werania's most effective premiers with his tenure marked by domestic prosperity and liberty and peace abroad. For decades after his death Oppolzer was seen as the epitome of Weranian liberalism - however he was long ridiculed by conservative opponents for his sordid personal life and alleged naiveite. More recent criticism focuses on his unabashed imperialism and firm belief in the "{{wp|Civilizing mission|white mans burden}}". Nevertheless historians continue to rate him highly.  
Oppolzer today is often ranked as one of Werania's most effective premiers with his tenure marked by domestic prosperity and liberty and peace abroad. For decades after his death Oppolzer was seen as the epitome of Weranian liberalism - however he was long ridiculed by conservative opponents for his sordid personal life and alleged naiveite. More recent criticism focuses on his unabashed imperialism and firm belief in the "{{wp|Civilizing mission|white mans burden}}". Nevertheless historians continue to rate him highly. He holds the third longest consecutive term as premier after [[Rasa Šimonytė]] and [[Ludolf Ostermann]].  
==Early life==
==Early life==
[[File:Hugues Merle Les fils du Duc de Morny.jpg|thumb|left|A portrait of Franz Joseph (left) and his sister Julia (right) as young children.|200px]]
[[File:Hugues Merle Les fils du Duc de Morny.jpg|thumb|left|A portrait of Franz Joseph (left) and his sister Julia (right) as young children.|200px]]

Revision as of 16:05, 8 September 2021

The Prince of Oppolzer
Pierson, Pierre Louis - Duc de Morny.jpg
4th Premier of Werania
In office
7 October 1860 – 14 March 1869
MonarchAdalbert
Preceded byFerdinand Karl von Schönborn-Buchheim
Succeeded byLudwig Gustav von Middendorff
Minister-President of Cislania
In office
2 July 1856 – 7 October 1860
MonarchAdalbert
Preceded byKonrad von Blumenfeld (acting)
Succeeded byKarl Richard von Wiesenburg
In office
5 April 1846 – 27 April 1856
Preceded byPhilipp von Rietberg
Succeeded byKonrad von Blumenfeld (acting)
Personal details
Born(1808-06-12)12 June 1808
Augustenburg, Cislania
Died14 March 1869(1869-03-14) (aged 60)
Westbrücken, Werania
Political partyLeftist Bloc
SpouseJosephine Caroline und Rothenlöwen
Alma materAcademy of Weisstadt
Cislanian offices held
  • 1829-1869: Member of the Cislanian Landtag
  • 1840-1842: Minister of Public Works
  • 1846-1860: Minister of the Interior
Weranian offices held
  • 1842-1869: Member of the Chamber of Deputies
  • 1842-1846: Minister of Public Works
  • 1860-1865: Minister of Foreign Affairs

Xaver Franz Joseph Gerhard, Prince of Oppolzer (12 June 1808 - 14 March 1869) was a Weranian aristocrat and statesmen who served as the fourth Premier of Werania from 1860 to his death as well as serving as Minister-President of Cislania from 1846 to 1860. He is best known for his role in the suppression of the Jurgaitytė rebellion and expanding the Weranian colonial empire and helping formulate an alliance with Etruria.

Oppolzer came from one of the most powerful noble families in Cislania and was a confidante of Ulrich von Bayrhoffer during Weranian Unification. He would become Werania's first public works minister in 1842, a position mainly concerned with railway construction and aligned himself with von Bayrhoffer and pan-Weranicists in the Bundestag. In 1846 Oppolzer became Minister-President of Cislania leading a pro-government liberal coalition. A moderate liberal Oppolzer as supported the von Bayrhoffer cabinet and often emerged as a key powerbroker between the interests of Cislania and the central government. During the War of the Triple Alliance he was regarded as being amongst the more dovish and strongly supported the Torrazza accords that ended the war. Following the war Oppolzer supported the use of armed repression towards the revolutionaries during the Easter Revolution although opposed the tactics used by Adolf von Hoetzsch. He continued as minister-president throughout the 1850's.

In 1860 the monarch Adalbert invited Oppolzer to lead a liberal cabinet after the conservatives lost favour, with Oppolzer taking the opportunity. Oppolzer was a reformist committed to the ideals of free trade, laissez-faire economics and imperialism. As premier Oppolzer launched reforms to cut wasteful spending and reduce patronage. On the domestic front he reversed some of the more repressive measure that had introduced during the Easter Revolution although did not abolish censorship entirely.

During his term there was a rebellion in Ruttland after the Ruttish economy collapsed which was put down by the federal government. Because of this Oppolzer implemented reforms in Ruttland which placed the region under less repressive rule although he baulked at allowing a more democratic system being implemented.

In foreign affairs Oppolzer supported the notion of rapprochement with other great powers to ensure peace. To this end he supported the creation of an alliance with Etruria and with deepening the one with Estmere whilst pursuing moderate reconciliation with Gaullica. However his Soravophobia led to tensions with the new Soravian republic under Eduard Olsov and he was unable to reorient from the essentially anti-Kirenian thrust of Weranian foreign policy. In colonial affairs Oppolzer was more successful overseeing the expansion of colonial outposts in Silberküste and Nainan whilst supporting commercial relations with the Asterian powers. Oppolzer would die in office in 1869, the first Weranian premier to do so in office.

Oppolzer today is often ranked as one of Werania's most effective premiers with his tenure marked by domestic prosperity and liberty and peace abroad. For decades after his death Oppolzer was seen as the epitome of Weranian liberalism - however he was long ridiculed by conservative opponents for his sordid personal life and alleged naiveite. More recent criticism focuses on his unabashed imperialism and firm belief in the "white mans burden". Nevertheless historians continue to rate him highly. He holds the third longest consecutive term as premier after Rasa Šimonytė and Ludolf Ostermann.

Early life

A portrait of Franz Joseph (left) and his sister Julia (right) as young children.

Franz Joseph was born into the Cislanian princely family of Oppolzer in 1808. His father the prince of Oppolzer Felix Adolf was a rural landlord and courtier to the Cislanian monarchy whilst his mother Elisabeth Constanze was the daughter of the wife of prince Johannes, the third son of the former Rudolphine protector Leopold III making his family partially related to the House of Schwarzollen-Brücken. The House of Oppolzer was one of the most prominent being based in west Cislania and owned vast estates around Volkhöfen.

He studied law at the Academy of Weisstadt. According to a classmate, Antonin von Schnitzler, Franz Joseph was a "cocksure student more focused on womanising then studying, but was able scrape by academically". As the second son Franz Joseph was expected to enter a profession and in his twenties served as a bureaucrat in the Cislanian diplomatic service despite a poor academic track record. He was a polyglot speaking Weranian, Gaullican, Estmerish, Vespasian and Ruttish.

His older brother Johan Frederick who inherited his fathers princely title in 1821 but died in a hunting accident nine years later in 1830. Franz Joseph subsequently became the Prince of Oppolzer although left the administration of the family estates to his mother Elisabeth Constanze.

Franz Joseph would meet the daughter of an aristocrat Josephine Caroline und Rothenlöwen in 1832. He was enamoured by her and proposed to marry her on their third meeting, although she would only accept a year later. Their marriage would largely be unhappy due to Oppolzer's constant womanising although retained moments of affection.

Early political career

Unification

Von Bayrhoffer cabinet

Minister-President of Cislania

Premier

Economic and financial reforms

Ruttland

Foreign affairs

Relations with the monarchy

Private life

Family

Death

Legacy