Chapter 56: Balance
Ernst returned to Hechingen from Austria and spent Christmas in 1866 with Prince Constantine. Meanwhile, the East African colonies continued to develop steadily.
On January 14, 1867, the first immigrants from the Austrian Empire arrived at the port of Dar es Salaam in East Africa. These newcomers, who had endured the hardships of the sea voyage, were overjoyed to finally set foot on land.
The reason they initially settled in the Sultanate of Zanzibar was due to the relatively developed infrastructure and urbanization in the region. Zanzibar had been a center of trade and culture for many years, with a diverse population that included Germans, Arabs, Portuguese, Africans, Indians, and Chinese.
For these immigrants from the Austrian Empire, Zanzibar's architectural style and tropical environment were a stark contrast to what they were accustomed to. The strong Arabic influence, with its palm trees and tropical beaches, fascinated them.
As they journeyed further into the colony, the newcomers were greeted by colonial officials from various regions. These officials were initially surprised to see white immigrants, as they had grown accustomed to receiving Chinese immigrants in the past.
However, they quickly realized the significance of this change. The majority of colonial officials were Germans, and they had concerns about the rapid influx of Chinese immigrants. While the Chinese were hardworking and skilled, the Germans feared that an imbalance in the population might lead to conflicts and disrupt their control.
The German officials, who held positions of power in the colonies, were wary of the Chinese immigrants, who were loyal to Ernst. They understood that these immigrants had a monitoring effect on them. Hence, they saw the arrival of white immigrants as an opportunity to maintain control and ease their concerns.
Ernst's primary objective was to develop the East African colonies, and to achieve this, he needed a large labor force. While he would have preferred to recruit Germans, their numbers were limited due to various factors, including the stable living conditions in Germany and the appeal of higher-paying jobs in the industrialized nation.
Ernst believed that his vision for East Africa was ultimately a German-speaking nation with diverse cultures, united by a common language. This vision prioritized cultural identity over race.
He understood the potential challenges of recruiting Germans at this stage and acknowledged that it would be more feasible in the future as the colonies developed. The current focus was on clearing land and improving agricultural practices.
Ernst was aware of the long-term implications of excessive Chinese immigration, but he believed that this would only become a concern once the indigenous population had been integrated into the colony's society. He aimed to use European immigrants in the future to balance the population.
Ultimately, Ernst's goal was to create a powerful nation in East Africa and secure dominance over the Indian Ocean. He was strategic in his approach, focusing on developing the colonies, ensuring a steady labor force, and gradually working towards achieving his vision.
As for dealing with the indigenous people of East Africa, Ernst chose not to follow the path of the United States and its treatment of Native Americans. Instead, he aimed for cultural integration and the blending of German and Chinese communities, with cultural identity at the forefront.
Ernst recognized that the colonization process would leave a lasting legacy, and he was determined to approach it with a sense of balance and responsibility.
(End of Chapter 56)