Chapter 307: Birth of Germany
As East Africa took control of Mayotte, it also set its sights on the Comoros archipelago, including the main islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli, along with numerous smaller islands near Mayotte. The plan was to have a diplomatic conversation with the Sultan of Anjouan and gradually integrate the Comoros Islands into East Africa.
After stabilizing Mayotte, the East African Navy set course for Anjouan Island. Through negotiations led by Archduke Ferdinand, the Sultan of Anjouan Island signed a treaty that made the Comoros Islands a protectorate of East Africa.
At this point, Anjouan Island had already lost control over the other three islands. However, this treaty provided East Africa with a justifiable reason to exert influence over the remaining two islands, Grande Comore and Moheli, by acting on behalf of the Sultan of Anjouan to suppress any native resistance.
The population on the Comoros Islands was diverse, comprising African blacks, Arabs, and Malays. Arabs held the dominant position, and the culture of the islands was predominantly Arab. The Comoros Islands, with their tropical rainforest climate and relatively small population, were relatively easy for East Africa to manage.
Meanwhile, on January 18, 1871, in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, William I announced his inauguration as Emperor of the German Empire. The unification of Germany had been achieved, with the addition of the South German states, making the German Empire the most powerful country on the European continent.
The South German states had always been economically advanced, and their annexation strengthened Germany significantly. Bavaria, in particular, had a considerable amount of power, making it a force to be reckoned with in Europe.
The establishment of the German Empire marked the birth of Germany as a united nation. The new empire had a population of over 40 million and a territory of 610,000 square kilometers, surpassing France as the most powerful country in Europe.
This momentous event had significant implications for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as it signified Austria's complete loss of influence in the German region. Emperor Franz had mixed feelings, while Hungary welcomed the development, as Austria could no longer use the German region to suppress Hungary.
While the German Empire was being established, East Africa extended its congratulations. However, East Africa chose to maintain a low profile, especially given that the announcement was made in Paris, to avoid stirring tensions with other European powers.
With the unification of Germany, the population of East Africa had grown to 4.7 million. The influx of German and Austro-Hungarian immigrants, along with ethnic intermarriage and other newcomers, had further strengthened the pan-German identity, making East Africa one of the largest German-speaking regions in the world.
As one of the world's largest countries by land area, East Africa ranked fifth globally, trailing only behind the British Empire, Tsarist Russia, the United States, and the Far East. However, the international community still perceived East Africa as primarily the east coast of Africa, excluding territories like Mozambique and some Austrian possessions.
Despite the vastness of its territory, East Africa embarked on a low-key development strategy. It sought to maintain stability at its borders, developing trade relations with neighboring regions such as the Boers and the Portuguese while avoiding armed conflicts.
Emperor Ernst began preparations for transferring some industries of the Hexingen Consortium to East Africa. The Hexingen Consortium had grown into one of the world's top conglomerates, with significant influence in Germany, Austria-Hungary, and other parts of Europe. It was now one of the richest entities globally, and East Africa needed time to absorb its assets fully.
The core of the Hexingen Consortium was the Hexingen Bank, which controlled numerous emerging companies in the electric power, military, food, machinery, and other industries across Europe. East Africa's economic development was closely tied to the consortium's interests.
East Africa recognized the need for heavy industry to support its economic growth. The lack of heavy industry prevented it from providing basic industrial materials and formed a barrier to becoming a powerful political and economic entity. Developing heavy industry became a primary goal for the East African Kingdom.