Chapter 100: Recruitment
Prince Constantine's reputation extended throughout South Germany, garnering the support of nobles from across the region. For the South German nobility, emigrating overseas presented an appealing opportunity. South Germany primarily relied on agriculture, and its farmers had high fertility rates. The fertile land ensured decent living standards for farmers during normal years, even if they were subject to the whims of the aristocracy.
South Germany already had a high population density, and the nobility could not exert complete control over the lives of their subjects. Instead, they controlled the land and its inhabitants. This surplus population led many unemployed farmers to seek opportunities abroad. Historically, most South German farmers chose to emigrate to the United States, driven by a lack of alternatives. European countries had rejected immigrants for various reasons, and Britain had enticed many Germans to North America to help develop the continent.
While some German immigrants in the United States found success, many struggled, especially those who arrived earlier and faced harsh living conditions. Some even became "indentured slaves," although they held a higher status than black slaves.
Despite these challenges, German immigrants continued to favor the United States, primarily due to historical inertia and improving conditions over time. As Prussia stabilized its rule over North Germany, the number of North German immigrants decreased. However, the situation in South Germany was different. The region had not yet been brought under Prussian control, and poor grain harvests contributed to an increase in immigration.
On the American side, opportunities improved after the Civil War ended, with the United States focusing on westward expansion and an increasing demand for immigrants.
Ernst recognized this opportune moment to recruit immigrants from the United States, and the chances of success were high. He aimed to divert German immigrants who had traditionally chosen the United States to his East African colony.
One crucial advantage lay in the fact that the East African colony was a German-developed territory, offering an alternative to British colonies for German immigrants. Moreover, Ernst had connections with South German nobility, which greatly facilitated recruitment efforts. South Germany's residents were subjects of the nobility, and although serfdom had been abolished, the nobility still wielded significant influence over local farmers.
By gaining the support of nobles from various regions, Hechingen could tap into a large pool of potential immigrants who would have otherwise considered the United States. Historically, German immigrants to the United States tended to avoid politics, making them a receptive group for Ernst's recruitment efforts.
Of course, not all German immigrants would choose to go to East Africa; some might opt to join relatives and friends in the United States. However, this was of little concern to Ernst.
In the Kingdom of Württemberg, a recruitment office operated by the Hechingen Consortium attracted a group of raggedly dressed German peasants. These individuals were curious and somewhat skeptical about the prospect of relocating to an East African colony they had never heard of.
Orucci Reis, a farmer from the Kingdom of Württemberg, expressed his concerns to Eric Knight, a staff member of the Hechingen Consortium, "Sir, I've never heard of this East African colony. Can we trust it for a livelihood?"
Eric Knight reassured them, "Rest assured, the East African colony is a territory developed overseas by Germans themselves. It spans an area larger than both German regions combined, with a population of more than one million Germans. You may not have heard of it because the earlier recruits mainly came from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It's perfectly reliable."
However, one villager, overwhelmed by the numbers, asked, "Sir, what does 'more than one million' mean? I can only count to ten on one hand without reading a book. Can you put it in simpler terms?"
Eric Knight attempted to clarify, "Imagine your village on the map of the Kingdom of Württemberg—it's about the size of a grain of wheat thrown into a pond. Now, picture hundreds of villages like yours across the kingdom. The combined population of all those villages and cities in Württemberg is equivalent to the population of the East African colony."
Another villager questioned, "So many people in East Africa, just like our whole kingdom. Why are you recruiting us to develop it?"
Eric Knight realized that the villagers needed a more tangible comparison. He found a branch and drew on the ground to illustrate, "This tiny circle is the Kingdom of Württemberg. Now, this much larger circle is the East African colony. You see, the East African colony is as large compared to Württemberg as Württemberg is compared to your village. That's why we need to recruit people to develop it."
Concerned about the unknown territory, one villager asked, "What does East Africa look like? Is it similar to Württemberg? Is the land fertile? What about rainfall?"
Eric Knight offered a reassuring description, "East Africa's climate is temperate, neither too hot nor too cold. The land is flat, with precipitation levels similar to those in Württemberg. There are many rivers, making it excellent for farming. Of course, there are some challenges, such as fewer people and more wild animals. But don't worry, the East African colonial government will send troops to deal with the wildlife, and you'll be safe while developing the land."
In truth, Ernst's plan was to balance the German immigrants with the Chinese immigrants by placing them in existing colonial cities and settlements. It was unlikely that these German immigrants would be scattered or allowed to establish separate communities, as integration was essential to achieve Germanization and avoid the formation of isolated Chinatowns.
Eric Knight's deceptions were designed to address the villagers' concerns without discouraging them. The mention of wildlife danger provided a valid excuse, and the colonial government would indeed send troops to deal with wild animals. These subtle tactics aimed to reassure the villagers while emphasizing the advantages of East Africa.
As the recruitment efforts continued, Ernst sought to divert a significant number of German immigrants from their traditional destination in the United States to his East African colony, marking a pivotal moment in the colony's development.