Chapter 643 Spain and the Philippines
East Africa's move this time is very big, but because East Africa is not doing anything under the banner of East Africa in Central and Eastern Europe, at most it is just setting some rhythm. Now everyone is criticizing the Americans, and by the way, it has diverted the social contradictions of some countries under the economic downturn, which is actually welcomed by the governments of various countries.
However, it was the first time that Americans truly realized that there was a country in East Africa in the world. After all, it had risen to the diplomatic level between the two countries, and the Far Eastern imperial government also put pressure on the United States. This feeling was like being ridden on the head and exported, which was very unpleasant. As for the Europeans' discussions about the United States, it was a trivial matter. Too many lice will not itch, and too many debts will not worry you.
However, the United States really had no effective way to deal with East Africa, and finally could only attack slave ships from East Africa to North America. This may be the largest trade transaction between East Africa and the United States.
But East Africa didn't buy it. The slave trade was becoming increasingly difficult, so East Africa focused on developing the Latin American market. Except for Argentina, which was unyielding, black slaves were still relatively popular in Latin America.
Moreover, the slave trade did not bring much economic benefits to East Africa. Instead, it caused losses all year round. Therefore, this countermeasure was not very effective for East Africa.
East Africa has many ways to solve the black problem. At worst, it can just export them to West Africa at a loss. The slave plantation owners in West Africa must be very grateful.
Ernst originally didn't want to pay any attention to the Americans' behavior, but since the United States took the initiative to provoke East Africa this time, Ernst can't be blamed for taking revenge.
This public opinion did not affect the mainland of East Africa. After all, dividing East African citizens into Germans or "Chinese" is news that is not conducive to unity. On the contrary, East Africa will not publicize it. As long as you are naturalized, you are a "German."
In other words, the current generation of East African immigrants is indeed relatively clearly divided, but this problem will completely disappear in thirty or forty years. By then, East Africa will enter the racial status of Brazil in the 21st century, with mixed-race people completely dominating the country.
…
Amid the excitement, the Ernsts finally arrived in Spain to visit the government of Alfonso XII.
"Ernst, I have actually wanted to meet you for a long time. The financial support provided by your Hechingen royal family to my mother and me helped us get through the most difficult years and played a huge role in restoring the orthodoxy of Spain."
Ernst's timely help left a deep impression on Alfonso XII, and the relationship between Spain and East Africa was improved as a result.
The most important thing is that trade between the two countries is relatively frequent, which is mainly due to Spain's geographical location. Most merchant ships from the east coast of East Africa to North America or Western Europe and Northern Europe take the Suez Canal and then pass through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Therefore, the opening of the Suez Canal is definitely a good thing for Spain, just as the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is also a beneficiary of the Suez Canal.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to say that. As a major international power, political stability is very important to Spain. Your ascension to the throne has ended the turmoil in Spain, which is a good thing for the whole of Spain and Europe." Ernst complimented casually.
Alfonso XII's current impression of East Africa can be said to be quite good, because East Africa has conflicts with Spain's two rivals, the United States and Portugal. The so-called enemy of my enemy is my friend, not to mention the Hechingen royal family who once lent a helping hand to him.
And there is another point, that is, his wife Maria Christina is the Archduchess of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Maria Christina's father is Archduke Karl of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Of course, there are many nobles named Karl in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
(Alfonso XII's grandmother was also called Maria Christina, the Spanish "Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies")
In fact, Maria Christina was the second wife of Alfonso XII. As for Alfonso's original wife, Mercedes de Orleans, she died half a year after the marriage and left no offspring.
Maria Christina's son is Alfonso XIII, but Alfonso XIII has not been born yet.
Historically, it was when Alfonso XII died in 1885 that Maria Christina became pregnant with Alfonso XIII.
The unexpected death of Alfonso XII led to Maria Christina serving as regent of Spain until Alfonso XIII came of age. She was very capable and carried out many political reforms. During her regency, Spain as a whole maintained stability, and she successfully handed over power to her son.
So Karina and the Archduchess of Austria-Hungary had met several times, which made the meeting more friendly.
Ernst's purpose in befriending the Spanish royal family was not simple, and this had already begun before Alfonso XII ascended the throne.
It is mainly related to East Africa's operations in the South Seas. The Indo-Pacific direction has always been the focus of East Africa's operations, especially in the South Seas. The Spanish empire, as the oldest empire, is one of the most important forces in the South Seas.
Therefore, making friends with Spain now is to enable East Africa to benefit when Spain suffers a disaster in the future, especially in the South Pacific region.
Ernst didn't know whether history would develop in the same way as in his previous life, but one thing was certain: if the United States wanted to become an influential power in the future, it would have to choose one of the world powers to start with.
And this great power is 100% Spain, because Cuba in Latin America has always been the most coveted "fat meat" by the United States.
Furthermore, since East Africa defeated Portugal, Portugal, the last among the great powers, has been humiliated and kicked out of the great powers club. If Portugal is a great power, then the Netherlands and Belgium can also call themselves great powers. Except for the area, these two countries may not be worse than Portugal.
After Portugal was abolished, Spain became the goalkeeper of European powers. The United States will inevitably cause trouble for Spain in the future.
At that time, Alfonso XII had died for many years, and the Spanish royal family was left with orphans and widows. It was a good time for East Africa to intervene, after all, Ernst's character had already been established.
By establishing a good relationship with Alfonso XII, Queen Maria Christina would be able to leave a good impression. In addition, they were both Germans and had good relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Moreover, East Africa has its own two strategic fulcrums in the Indo-Pacific region, especially near the Philippines, the Lan Fang Overseas Province and the South Ryukyu Islands, which just sandwiched the Philippines in the middle and were Spain’s best helper at the time.
As for offending the Americans, it is not worth mentioning compared with East Africa’s Indo-Pacific strategy. East Africa will definitely have a hand in the future Pacific.
Ernst actually had no good feelings towards the Philippines. This was due to the poor governance of the Philippines in his previous life. In fact, the conditions in the Philippines were still good. The population of the Philippines in his previous life was more than 100 million, while in the early 19th century, the population of the Philippines was only one million. In recent years, under the governance of the Spaniards, the population has increased to about three or four million.
With a land area of nearly 300,000 square kilometers and a population of three to four million, it is more densely populated than most provinces in East Africa.
However, the Philippines has more than 7,000 islands, which are quite fragmented. There is an island called Balabac in East Africa, which is an affiliated island of Palawan Island in the Philippine Archipelago.
As an East African colony, Balabac Island has a total population of 237 people, all of whom are East African soldiers. Since East Africa occupied here, no other people have been found on the island, except for occasional pirates.
Balabac Island is a chess piece left by Ernst, and an important springboard for future plans to take over the sparsely populated Mindanao Island in southern Philippines.
(End of this chapter)
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