African Entrepreneurship Record-Chapter 696 - 384: The First Stage of Dividing the World Completed

Mombasa city is fond of competing with Dar es Salaam city, because the two are the only ones of their kind in East Africa. However, as the inland development of East Africa progresses, Mombasa city begins to gradually fall behind the pace of Dar es Salaam city, which is related to the economic hinterland.

And as for the economic hinterland, Mombasa city can never hope to surpass Dar es Salaam city. Therefore, to form a competitive edge with Dar es Salaam city, driving the northern industrial belt forward side by side is the only way out for Mombasa city.

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Time has swiftly moved to the year 1886. East Africa continues to construct each area step by step, while the East African military sharpens its swords in preparation for war.

In 1886, the West African region had already been thoroughly divided, with the greatest benefits going to the Three Kingdoms of Britain, France, and Germany. Meanwhile, in the Far East, Britain, France, Russia, Japan, and the United States expressed great interest in the Far East Empire and its affiliate countries.

The United States had already attempted invasions of Korea through military means in the 60s and 70s. However, the Korean government only became more staunchly isolationist, and the Americans' intentions were not realized. This should be one of the few proactive colonial activities by the United States with no successful case.

And the reason the United States couldn't colonize Korea through military action might be related to the distance between the two countries. Later, in the 70s, when Japan used the same trick, the Korean government yielded and was forced to sign a trade agreement.

Britain also coveted the land of the Korean peninsula but failed because of the joint opposition from Japan and Russia. This shows that by the 70s, Japan had already shaken off its semi-colonial state and became a sovereign nation capable of independently participating in international affairs.

Currently, the development of the Far East Empire is also considered "thriving." Under the foreign affairs movement, the land and naval forces of the Far East Empire have grown significantly. Although the result of the war with France was poor due to government reasons, their combat power was at least acknowledged by various nations, after all, their opponent was France, the world's second-strongest army.

Of course, in 1885 Britain was not without gains. After the Third Anglo-Burmese War, Britain completely occupied Myanmar and, on January 1, 1886, officially declared it as a British territory, becoming an independent province of British India.

This also means that most of Southeast Asia had been divided, except for Thailand, which remained as a buffer zone between the two superpowers. The Thai government, adept at playing both sides, thus managed not to be dismantled.

By 1886, the first phase of the colonial expansion by the great powers had been preliminarily completed, and almost all of the "Land of No Master" on earth had been divided.

This was the starting phase of the colonial frenzy since the 70s and 80s. The next step, if the countries wanted to seize colonies, would be to take action against those backward independent sovereign nations. Among them, the biggest pieces of fat are the Ottoman Empire, the Far East Empire, and the East African Kingdom.

Of course, entering the 90s also posed opportunities. Like in the past life of the United States and Japan, in the 90s, with heavy blows against Spain and the Far East Empire respectively, they re-established their status in the international order.

Once there is no more to divide, it will be time for the great powers to directly play their hands, resulting in the outbreak of a true world war.

Therefore, East Africa must ensure national defense security in the last twenty years of the 19th century to deter enemies while further strengthening economic barriers.

The great powers always use the banner of "free trade" to invade countries. In reality, it's just coerced sales.

Right now, the East African industry is in its nascent stage, so "free trade" cannot be engaged. With this, only the industrial products of Germany and Austria could shatter all of East Africa's accumulated assets.

In First Town, the officials of the East African Central Government can feel the thick atmosphere of dark clouds within the International Community.

Throughout the late 19th century, including all nations among the great powers, there was a strong sense of crisis. This sense of crisis was very intense, permeating through the economy, society, and the military preparedness of various countries.

Europe, as the hunters, is slightly better off. Before the prey has been completely divided, each hunter can still maintain a delicate balance.

But among the countries on other continents, the sense of crisis is very strong, especially among the small and weak countries. Countries like East Africa, America, the Ottoman Empire, and the Far East Empire, although massive, are not completely uneasy to the extent of national extinction, so they can still maintain their composure.

Particularly the Ottoman Empire, having just experienced the Russo-Turkish War, performed fairly well. Therefore, in the coming time, they can enjoy a period of stability, after all, not many can withstand the Russian Empire.

As for the Far East Empire, as long as it doesn't have the same bad luck as in the previous world, it won't quickly decline. Ernst was saying it was all about bad luck.

The complete downfall of the Far East Empire was just at the Sino-Japanese War, and before that, in pure military confrontations with Russia and France, the Far East Empire was not at a disadvantage.

However, after being defeated by Japan, the international image of the Far East Empire plummeted directly to the bottom, solidifying its reputation as the "sick man of East Asia."

After all, Japan is a "weak country" and a "poor country," with very few mineral resources for development. Being defeated by such a nation rendered all the "prosperous data" of the Far East Empire's foreign affairs movement in the eyes of the Western countries to bubbles.

In reality, if the government of the Far East Empire could learn from the Russians, with such "thick skin," it could also establish a foothold in the International Community. After all, Russia had previously lost face as well, but could always regain it. However, the performance of the Qing Royal Family in its past life was too poor.

In this timeline, significant changes have occurred, and Ernst is not sure whether the Sino-Japanese War will necessarily break out. However, judging from the results of the Sino-French War last year, it is highly likely to happen, after all, Japan's wolf's ambition is laid bare for all to see, it is just a matter of time.

After discussing the two old empires, it comes to America and East Africa. In fact, based on the performances of America and East Africa over the years, these two countries have entirely different fates from the previous ones, and can completely be considered as "emerging countries."

Especially America, its development is the focus of the entire world. Compared to America, East Africa is doing okay. Currently, America has an urbanization rate approaching 40%, while East Africa only has over 20%, so East Africa is still at the "agrarian stage."

And America's urbanization rate close to 40%, worldwide, can only be compared with the Three Kingdoms of Britain, France, and Germany, or those small industrial countries like Belgium and the Netherlands.

Moreover, America's position is "safer" than that of East Africa. No matter how remote East Africa is, it is connected to the Eurasian continent. Historically, Africa has always been the continent most closely connected to the Eurasian continent.

As for other continents, they are isolated civilizations, or like Sub-Saharan Africa, they do not have civilization.

As such, the challenges East Africa faces are greater than those faced by America. This is a geographical challenge that the isolated people of the American continent cannot feel.

Of course, the Heixinggen royal family's ability to respond to crises has also improved over the years as East Africa's national strength increased. But even Ernst himself has doubts about the combat strength of the monarchical states' armies.

After all, the East African military is very young and hasn't encountered a powerful opponent, so Ernst harbors doubts about his own judgment.

Not to mention the data of the East African army, in fact, the current data of the Far East Empire's military appears better than that of East Africa, so the final outcome still depends on the actual combat results, especially in terms of the East African navy, which is the most uncertain military branch. This aspect has always been handled by Grand Duke Ferdinand.