Chapter 42: Immigration Boom
The fervor of immigration to the East African colonies continued as preachers like Wang Dazhi and others returned to their hometowns to share the opportunities and benefits of life in East Africa. They addressed the concerns of potential immigrants and provided them with a way out of their difficult circumstances.
The drought-stricken area of Zhang Gensheng saw a strong response, with over 1,000 people signing up to immigrate. These brave individuals saw an opportunity for a better life, even though they didn't have much information about East Africa.
The success stories of immigrants like Wang Dazhi and Zhang Gensheng dispelled rumors and skepticism among the villagers, making them more eager to seize the opportunity for immigration.
Immigrants from various regions were mixed together, forming new villages. Despite differences in dialect and culture, they relied on coordinated management by the colony.
Advanced iron farm tools were provided to immigrants, who enthusiastically cultivated nearly 500,000 acres of land. The immigrants' hard work, combined with improved tools and indigenous labor, helped reclaim land efficiently.
The East African colonies planned to use part of the harvest for further immigration and expansion, with no immediate export plans for food. Sisal production, on the other hand, was intended for export, with some of the revenue distributed as symbolic wages to colonial immigrants and managers.
The intensity of labor for land reclamation was less than expected, thanks to the quality of European farm tools, the use of livestock, indigenous labor, and collective efforts. Intensive farming methods were unnecessary, as pesticides and fertilizers were imported from Europe.
A reward and punishment system encouraged immigrants to work diligently, with incentives like meat distribution for good performance and the possibility of hunger and punishment for poor work.
Infrastructure development continued during the slack season, with 196 kilometers of dirt roads connecting important towns in the coastal area.
By the end of October 1866, the East African colonies had a total population exceeding 97,000, including both new and old immigrants and Germans. Important areas in the Tanganyika region were under colonial control, but there were still vast territories occupied by local aboriginal tribes.
The East African colonies had initially accomplished their strategy of surrounding the countryside (tribes) with cities (towns). However, immigration continued, providing conditions for further expansion.
(End of Chapter 42)