Chapter 242: Why Mayotte?
Mayotte, a small island located in the Mozambique Strait, is part of the Comoros Islands, along with Grand Comore Island, Anjouan Island, and Moheli Island. Mayotte covers an area of 374 square kilometers and primarily relies on agriculture, particularly the production of spices such as vanilla.
In 1870, the French colonial empire consisted of several key regions. North Africa, including French Algeria, was one of these regions. West Africa encompassed territories like French Seychelles-Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast-Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, forming a region of immense economic value to France. Madagascar, along with the French Comoros (including Mayotte) and French Reunion, constituted a significant strategic point for France in the Indian Ocean. Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia and southern Vietnam, was another area of interest. French Guiana in South America and the Djibouti area, which controlled the Suez Canal, were also integral components of the French colonial empire. These regions formed the core of French colonies, and each played a unique role in France's global strategy.
Given the significance of these regions to France, there were no possibilities for alteration or relocation. Africa dominated with four of these six regions, highlighting France's particular emphasis on the continent, especially since Africa holds a central geographic position in the European world map.
Ernst's quest for territorial expansion for East Africa was constrained by these factors. Mayotte emerged as a viable option due to its strategic location and agricultural capabilities. The island, while small, held importance for East Africa due to its proximity and location in the Mozambique Strait, which was strategically valuable for East Africa. Furthermore, its agricultural conditions were suitable for sustaining a population, making it an attractive acquisition.
Mayotte's residents were primarily Malagasy people, a group that also inhabited the southern part of Madagascar. Madagascar, though of interest to Ernst, presented several challenges, including the presence of the French colony of Madagascar and the powerful Kingdom of Imerina. Both Madagascar and Imerina had their complexities, making them formidable opponents. Ernst's criteria for assessing the difficulty of conquering indigenous civilizations were based on their level of development: primitive, slave, semi-feudal, half-slave, and feudal. The higher the level, the more challenging the conquest.
Madagascar and Imerina were comparable to the Abyssinian Empire in terms of complexity. Both regions were not purely African in terms of civilization, with the influence of Middle Eastern civilization in Madagascar and the presence of Far Eastern brown people. These factors contributed to their more advanced societies.
Ernst recognized that Mayotte, being a small, sparsely populated island, was a more feasible target for expansion compared to Madagascar. Additionally, Mayotte's strategic importance and proximity to East Africa made it an attractive prospect.
While Mayotte had the potential for acquisition, Ernst also understood that competition for the island was a concern. The British held influence in the area and had already seized the Seychelles Islands from the French. Moreover, the British navy was formidable, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
In essence, Mayotte's strategic location, agricultural potential, and relative simplicity made it a suitable target for East African expansion, especially considering the limitations imposed by the French colonial empire's existing territories and their strategic importance.