African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 1069: Chapter 78: Led by Germany

East Africa’s support for the Ottoman Empire and Persia is relatively simple and straightforward, mainly focusing on helping both countries, especially the Ottoman Empire, establish certain military capabilities.

The once formidable Ottoman Empire that shook Europe and Asia is actually not lacking in military prowess even now. They can independently manufacture virtually all the world’s mainstream military weapons, similar to the Far East Empire in this aspect.

After all, with a population of barely over thirty million, if their military capability were inadequate, the Ottoman Empire would have long been devoured by Tsarist Russia or Austria-Hungary.

The fact is that the Ottoman Empire has fought against Tsarist Russia for over a hundred years while maintaining uninterrupted exchanges with European countries. The main challenge for the Ottoman Empire is the slow establishment of a modern industrial system, which is a common problem for many traditional ancient nations.

”Constantinople, Istanbul for the Ottomans — the Ottoman Empire stands at the crossroads of the European and Asian continents, thus frequently engaging in cultural, political, and economic exchanges with Europe. For various reasons, when Europe rapidly industrialized, the Ottoman Empire found it hard to maneuver such a large entity, but this does not hinder Constantinople’s prosperity,” said Mosled, the head of the East African delegation, as he stood on the bow of the ship gazing towards Constantinople.

The Ottoman Empire is considered half a European nation, especially when its capital is still Constantinople, a city that in all aspects rivals other European cities.

Of course, delving deeper into the entire Ottoman Empire would reveal a different picture, as the capital does not represent the whole nation. Like in previous African countries, the capitals were well-constructed while stepping outside them felt like entering vast rural areas, a description that is not exaggerated.

Constantinople, as the core of the Ottoman Empire and at the forefront of exchanges with the Western world, does not lack features of industrial civilization, as modern elements have been applied in its urban construction.

Naturally, Mosled’s visit is not to admire the scenery of Constantinople. Despite its advantageous location, it faces threats of war, as both Tsarist Russia and Balkan Peninsula countries covetously eye it.

Mosled’s deputy, Hans, explained to him: ”In recent years, Germans have fostered close relations with the Ottoman Empire. Due to various reasons, Germany hopes to support the Ottoman Empire as a potential ally. Through commercial and military cooperation, Germany’s influence in the Ottoman Empire is steadily increasing. Austria-Hungary also engages frequently in economic exchanges with the Ottoman Empire, being one of its main industrial markets. The Ottoman Empire is also one of our main trading countries, with a large portion of our Black Slaves sold there in the past.”

Mosled: ”In this way, the Ottoman Empire has maintained relatively close ties with us, Germany, and Austria-Hungary, though East Africa’s relations with both Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire mostly involve economic aspects.”

Hans: ”Indeed, the territory of the Ottoman Empire spans North Africa, Red Sea coastlines, a small part of Europe, and many regions in Asia, possessing a Great Power’s foundation. Coupled with its geographical position as a natural commercial powerhouse, various European countries have established certain levels of commercial exchanges with the Ottoman Empire.”

”However, internal issues within the Ottoman Empire are extremely prominent. Presently, the power of the Ottoman Empire’s Sultan is almost completely hollowed out, with various complex factions vying for influence. Especially in several regions, there is a risk of fragmentation or invasion. For instance, since Egypt’s independence, communication with the Ottoman Empire has been hindered. With France stirring unrest, the Ottoman Empire’s actual governance in its North African territories is merely nominal.”

The Ottoman Empire’s predicament in this era is slightly better, at least with a slightly larger territory than originally.

Due to Italy’s failure to complete unification, Italy did not nibble at the Ottoman Empire’s North African territories as it did in the last era. Instead, France took over the baton, using Tunisia as a stepping stone, continuously infiltrating the Ottoman Empire’s Libyan territories.

France has always prioritized the North African region, even more so than West Africa. Establishing effective control in North Africa would greatly benefit France’s Mediterranean strategy, so in the absence of a unified Italy as a competitor, France took on the role Italy played in the past era.

Regarding the Libyan issue and other impacts, relations between the Ottoman Empire and France are very poor, which further consolidates the cooperation between the Ottoman Empire and Germany.

Hans: ”Germany helps the Ottoman Empire build factories, military facilities, and trains the army. Our mission on this visit is to cooperate with the Ottoman Empire on this basis, so we need to coordinate with the Germans in advance.”

The East African Government’s support for the Ottoman Empire is primarily led by Germany. From one perspective, East Africa does not genuinely intend to help the Ottoman Empire with its development; instead, it aims to leverage the Ottoman Empire to threaten the United Kingdom and Tsarist Russia, thereby gaining influence in the Middle East, particularly along the Persian Gulf coast.

The Ottoman Empire’s territory extends to the Persian Gulf, being a major country along its coast. Iraq and Kuwait are core territories of the Ottoman Empire.

On the other hand, Ernst hopes to strengthen the Ottoman Empire, allowing Germany to expand further in the future, which could eventually trigger a continental European war.

In the past era during World War I, at least before the conflict began, the three allies of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy faced the Allies led by the United Kingdom, France, and Russia. In terms of Great Power numbers, they were fairly balanced. Nowadays, Italy is merely a regional power rather than a Great Power, and due to Austria-Hungary’s influence, joining the Allies is unlikely, even if temporarily.

This leaves Germany lacking allies on the European continent, and if relying solely on Austria-Hungary, the two countries likely dare not initiate a war.

In the past era, although Italy was somewhat untrustworthy, it was still a Great Power, even as the weakest one, providing a psychological comfort to Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Without Italy, Germany is certain to cultivate new strength among European countries to aid in seizing European hegemony, as is known by East Africa, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire are all targets Germany is keen on attracting.

In reality, if William II had been more cautious with his words and not threatened the United Kingdom’s maritime dominance, Germany wouldn’t be stuck in such an unpleasant diplomatic situation.

The United Kingdom is pleased to see a fierce battle between Germany and France. Without the United Kingdom’s involvement, World War I would not have occurred and might have escalated at most into an enhanced ”Franco-Prussian War.”

Presently, the United Kingdom’s sentiment towards Germany is quite complex since the core of British foreign policy is continental balance, ideally avoiding direct involvement.

Yet, Germany’s vigorous development of its navy has crossed the line for the British, combined with the growth of Germany’s industrial capability posing a substantial threat to British industry. These factors make Germany the primary target for British suppression.

Of course, any country that becomes the strongest in continental Europe will become the primary target for British suppression. Russia has already lost face due to the Russo-Japanese War, and France’s strength falls short of Germany’s, so currently, Germany is the strongest country on the continent, prompting the United Kingdom to strategize ways to weaken Germany to maintain balance across the European continent.

Thus, the key to the outbreak of World War I is Germany. Germany’s ”arrogance and extravagance” before the war forged a massive ”anti-German alliance” within Europe.