Chapter 171: Expansion and Immigration Issues
In the midst of East Africa's rapid development, it was evident that the region was still in its infancy when it came to industrialization. The local conditions in East Africa were challenging, with many areas remaining in a primitive hunting civilization.
The establishment of the East African colony had marked a significant achievement by transitioning the local population into an agricultural society. Agriculture was the cornerstone of East Africa's development. Even in previous years, East Africa had stood out as an agricultural region in Africa, capable of achieving self-sufficiency in food production. Tanzania and the countries around the Great Lakes were vital contributors to African agriculture.
However, despite its agricultural potential, East Africa had not developed to its full potential economically. Compared to other regions of Africa, East Africa lagged behind in terms of industrialization. This was partly due to the region's limited endowment of key industrial minerals such as coal, iron, and oil, which were essential for industrialization.
Unlike regions like South Africa, which had abundant mineral resources, East Africa struggled to compete in terms of resource extraction. Africa's wealth of resources, while vast, often saw its profits flow to European and American capital, rather than contributing to local industrialization.
East Africa's resource situation was further hindered by its lack of critical minerals such as coal, iron, and copper. These minerals were foundational for industrialization, particularly in the energy and manufacturing sectors. However, East Africa lacked substantial reserves of these minerals.
As a result, East Africa's focus on expansion was directed toward regions with resource potential. The Katanga Plateau in southern Africa, known for its copper deposits, was a primary target. The East African colony's expansion strategy aimed to avoid conflicts with regional powers and other colonial forces. It sought to bypass areas of interest to Egypt, Britain, Portugal, and other influential entities.
To the south lay the Portuguese colony of Mozambique, and to the north were the colonies of Egypt and British Somaliland. East Africa had created a buffer zone between itself and these forces, either through geography or by utilizing indigenous populations, minimizing direct confrontations.
The next expansion for East Africa in 1869 would primarily focus on the Katanga Plateau, as well as preparations for the acquisition of energy reserves like coal.
In terms of immigration, the goal for 1869 was to surpass a population of 2 million. With a current population of over 1.75 million, this target seemed attainable. Crossing the 2 million threshold would bring a sense of security to East Africa and reduce concerns about security issues.
Immigration would continue, albeit at a slower pace, as East Africa entered a stage of gradual immigration. The stable political situation in the Far East and Germany had led to a reduced desire among their populations to emigrate. Furthermore, East Africa had already absorbed a significant number of immigrants from these regions.
To maintain a balance among immigrants and ensure the dominance of German culture and thought in East Africa, Ernst had implemented a policy that aimed for German immigrants to constitute at least 30% of the population, with other European immigrants at 20%, the Far East at around 40%, and other regions (including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Americas) making up the remaining 10-20%.
This policy was meant to prevent any single immigrant group from becoming dominant in East Africa, especially in the pre-colonial period.
With the Franco-Prussian War looming, Ernst had to prepare for this pivotal moment. The war presented an opportunity to elevate the Hechingen Consortium to new heights, and East Africa had already played a crucial role in this endeavor. As priorities shifted, adjustments to the East African colonies would likely occur in the coming year, with immigration no longer taking center stage.