Chapter 52: Trieste
On December 15, 1866
Ernst found himself in Trieste, the most important port of the Austrian Empire. Trieste's significance had grown following the Prussian-Austro-Prussian War, where Austria had ceded Venice to Italy through France. As a result, Trieste became the primary port of the soon-to-be Austro-Hungarian Empire, established in February 1867 after negotiations between the Austrian government and Hungarian Magyar nobles.
Trieste had a rich history, having endured a two-century-long conflict with Venice. The locals, seeking refuge from Venice's rule, had voluntarily joined the Austrian Empire, making Trieste a core territory of Austria. While Trieste had its own dialect, Italian had become the predominant language due to historical and cultural influences.
Ernst, now considered a half-son-in-law of the Habsburgs, sought to make investments within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Trieste was a focal point of his ambitions, where he planned to establish a center for the East African ocean-going trade fleet.
One reason for choosing Trieste was to avoid extra taxes when transferring goods from Austria to Venice, now two separate countries. Trieste offered a strategic location for his fleet and a chance to import a significant population to the East African colonies.
Ernst had been facing challenges in recruiting white immigrants for his colonies, as Germans in Prussia had limited incentives to relocate to East Africa. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, on the other hand, was characterized by declining fortunes, lower education levels, and a large population. These factors provided an opportunity for Ernst to attract immigrants.
The peasants of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many of whom were illiterate, could be swayed by the promise of better opportunities in East Africa. Ernst intended to reshape their cultural identity through education, transforming them into high-quality immigrants for the colonies.
The abolition of serfdom and the inability to secure land in the empire pushed many farmers toward urban factories. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire's limited industrialization capacity couldn't accommodate all this labor.
Ernst took advantage of the situation, recruiting unemployed farmers from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to work and settle in East Africa. He promised them salaries, food, and housing. While the salaries weren't substantial, they could at least support their families.
Ernst also encouraged entire families to move to the colonies, where free education was provided for children. Returning to Europe in a few years was a possibility, albeit one that required saving money earned in East Africa.
Unlike the Americas, where immigrants often worked as general laborers, in East Africa, they would be engaged in farming, a skill they could rely on. Ernst recognized that this offered them more stability and independence compared to other overseas destinations.
With these strategies in mind, Ernst was determined to make Trieste a central hub for recruiting and dispatching immigrants to the East African colonies, ensuring a steady flow of settlers and labor for his ambitious colonial projects.
(End of Chapter 52)