African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 656 - 344: Spain and the Philippines

This time, East Africa made a big move, but because East Africa didn't act under its own banner in Central and Eastern Europe, it merely set the tone, and now everyone is condemning the Americans, incidentally diverting some social conflicts under the economic downturn of various countries, which governments are happy to see happen.

However, it was the first time Americans truly realized the existence of East Africa on the world stage, especially since it escalated to the level of bilateral diplomacy, with the Far Eastern Empire government jointly pressuring America. This feeling of being dominated is quite unpleasant, whereas the European commentary on America seems trivial, like having too many lice that you stop itching, or too many debts that you stop worrying.

Nevertheless, America had no effective means against East Africa, ultimately resorting to striking at the slave ships from East Africa heading to North America, which might be the biggest trade interaction between East Africa and America.

But East Africa was unfazed, as the slave trade was already becoming increasingly difficult, so they focused on developing the Latin American market, where black slaves were still relatively welcome, except in impenetrable Argentina.

Besides, the slave trade didn't bring much economic benefit to East Africa and even resulted in perennial losses, so these countermeasures were of little consequence to East Africa.

East Africa had various means to resolve the Black people issue; at worst, they could simply export to West Africa at a loss, where plantation owners would be extremely grateful.

Ernst originally didn't want to engage with the Americans, but since America actively provoked East Africa, Ernst couldn't help but retaliate.

Public opinion didn't affect East Africa domestically, as the country didn't promote divisive news of classifying nationals as Germans or "Chinese"; once someone gained citizenship, they were "German".

Currently, the first generation of East African immigrants indeed remained distinctly segregated, but in three or four decades, this issue would be completely resolved, and by then, East Africa would prematurely enter the racial state akin to Brazil in the 21st century's previous life, where mixed-race individuals would dominate.

...

Amid the clamor, Ernst and his family finally arrived in Spain to visit Alfonso XII's government.

"Ernst, in fact, I've long wanted to meet you. The support from your Heixinggen royal family helped my mother and me through our hardest times and significantly contributed to the restoration of the Spanish monarchy."

Ernst's timely aid left a profound impression on Alfonso XII, contributing positively to the relations between Spain and East Africa.

Most notably, the frequent trade exchanges between the two countries were mainly due to Spain's geographical location, as the East African east coast to North America or Western Europe and Northern European merchant ships mostly took the Suez Canal and then passed through the Strait of Gibraltar.

Thus, the opening of the Suez Canal was also a definite positive for Spain, just as the Mand Strait was also a beneficiary region of the Suez Canal.

"There's no need to say that, Your Majesty; as a significant country on the international stage, Spain's political stability is quite crucial. Your ascension stabilized Spain, which is beneficial for all of Spain and Europe," Ernst complimented casually.

Alfonso XII had a very favorable impression of East Africa now because East Africa conflicted with two of Spain's competitors, America and Portugal. As the enemy of one's enemy is a friend, not to mention the Heixinggen royal family had once lent a helping hand.

Furthermore, his wife Maria Christina is a Grand Duchess of the Austria-Hungary Empire, and Maria Christina's father is Grand Duke Karl of Austria-Hungary. Of course, plenty of nobles in Austria-Hungary are named Karl.

(Alfonso XII's grandmother was also named Maria Christina, known as "Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies" by the Spanish.)

In actuality, Maria Christina was Alfonso XII's second wife. His first wife, Mercedes de Orleans, passed away half a year after their marriage, leaving no heirs.

Maria Christina's son would become Alfonso XIII, although Alfonso XIII wasn't born yet.

Historically, in 1885 when Alfonso XII died, Maria Christina was pregnant with Alfonso XIII.

Alfonso XII's unexpected death caused Maria Christina to serve as regent of Spain before Alfonso XIII came of age, during which time she executed several political reforms and maintained Spain's stability, eventually handing over power to her son smoothly.

Karina and this Austria-Hungary Grand Duchess had met several times, making this meeting even more amicable.

Ernst's goal in befriending the Spanish royal family was not simply motivated, as this plan began even before Alfonso XII ascended the throne.

Mainly related to East Africa's operations in the Nanyang region, as the Indo-Pacific direction has always been a focus for East Africa, particularly the Nanyang region, where Spain remains a significant power.

Thus, forming a good relationship with Spain now is to reap potential benefits when Spain faces difficulties, especially in the Nanyang region.

Ernst wasn't certain if history would unfold as it did in the past, but one thing was certain: for America to become an influential great power, it had to confront one of the major world powers.

And this great power was certainly Spain because Cuba in Latin America was a "piece of meat" long coveted by America.

Additionally, after East Africa's defeat of Portugal, Portugal's status as a trailing member of major powers was severely tarnished, and it was expelled from the great power club. If Portugal were a major power, then the Netherlands and Belgium could also claim to be major powers, as their homelands weren't necessarily smaller than Portugal's.

After Portugal's downfall, the role of gatekeeper passed to Spain, and the softest target would be chosen by America for trouble in the future.

By then, Alfonso XII would have been long dead, leaving the Spanish royal family as orphans and widows, marking the perfect time for East Africa to intervene, given the established persona of Ernst.

Establishing a good relationship with Alfonso XII would leave a positive impression on Queen Maria Christina, and considering they were both Germans and had friendly relations with Austria-Hungary.

Moreover, East Africa held two strategic points in the Indo-Pacific region, especially near the Philippines direction, namely the Lan Fang Overseas Province and the South Ryukyu Islands, sandwiching the Philippines in-between, making it Spain's best ally then.

Offending the Americans was inconsequential compared to East Africa's Indo-Pacific strategy, as East Africa was undeniably going to partake in the future Pacific.

Ernst actually didn't have a good opinion of the Philippines, thanks to the poor governance in the previous life, despite the Philippines having decent conditions. In the previous life, the Philippines had a population exceeding 100 million, while in the early 19th century, the population was only about one million, which had increased to three or four million under Spanish governance.

With nearly thirty thousand square kilometers of land area and a population of three or four million, the density surpassed that of most East African provinces.

However, the Philippines consisted of over seven thousand islands, quite scattered. East Africa owned one island, Balabac Island, an affiliated island of the Palawan Island in the Philippines archipelago.

Balabac Island, as an East African colony, was inhabited by 237 people, all East African military personnel. Since East Africa's occupation, no other inhabitants were found on the island except for occasional visiting pirates.

Balabac Island served as a pawn left by Ernst; it was an important stepping stone for future plans for the less densely populated Mindanao Island in the southern Philippines.