Chapter 312: The Sword Points at the Abyssinian Empire
Emmanuel II, facing the roadblock to unification in Italy and the loss of significant territories, saw colonization as the way forward for the Kingdom of Italy. Inspired by the Kingdom of East Africa, which had already established a colony in Africa, Emmanuel II began considering Italian colonization as a means to solve Italy's food shortage problem.
As they assessed potential colonization options, Emmanuel II's advisers presented the situation in Africa. They noted that various European powers had established coastal holdings along the African coasts, with West Africa being a particularly densely populated area, controlled by Britain, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands. North Africa was closer to Italy but was mostly desert, making it unsuitable for large-scale agriculture. East Africa was under the dominion of the Kingdom of East Africa and Portugal, while South Africa was a British colony.
Emmanuel II was surprised by the competitive situation in Africa and remarked on the presence of so many European powers. His advisers explained that other nations had gained significant advantages as first movers in Africa. The Kingdom of Italy had been weakened, and even the Ottoman Empire, the weakest power in North Africa, was formidable compared to Italy's current state.
Emmanuel II's advisers proposed the Abyssinian Empire, located on the Red Sea coast, as a suitable target for Italian colonization. They highlighted several advantages, including its proximity to the Suez Canal, which would facilitate Italian control, and the presence of a large amount of already cultivated land.
The advisers pointed out that the Abyssinian Empire's agricultural conditions were favorable, with regions on the Ethiopian plateau offering fertile land. Emmanuel II was intrigued by the idea and inquired further. The advisers emphasized that Ethiopia's cultivated land was readily available, unlike other parts of Africa, and that it could provide a continuous source of food imports for Italy.
They highlighted the Ethiopian plateau's favorable climate and water resources, particularly in the southwestern region under East African control. This area had a rainy alpine plateau climate, making it suitable for agriculture.
Despite these advantages, it was essential to recognize the distinction between the Ethiopian plateau and the Abyssinian Empire. While Ethiopia had controlled the entire plateau historically, East Africa now shared control of the region. The Abyssinian Empire retained its agricultural heartland in the northwest, while East Africa occupied the southwest.
Emmanuel II expressed his concerns about the Abyssinian Empire's strength, but his advisers reassured him. They mentioned that the Abyssinian Empire had experienced internal strife recently, and the British had captured its capital a few years ago. The empire had also been engaged in conflicts with Egypt over Sudan, making it a weaker and more fragmented state.
Emmanuel II was pleased with the assessment and decided to proceed with plans to invade and colonize Abyssinia. The Colonial Department began preparations, and the domestic industry and commerce sectors eagerly supported the decision. For Italy, with its surplus population from the recent war and the need for new markets due to Naples' independence, Abyssinia presented an attractive opportunity for expansion.
The Kingdom of Italy was ready to set its sights on the Abyssinian Empire, viewing it as a weaker opponent compared to the formidable Austrian Empire they had faced previously. The dream of Italian unification might be on hold, but colonization in Africa appeared to be the path forward for the Kingdom of Italy.