Chapter 683: The First Phase of Dividing the World Completed
The city of Mombasa likes to compete with the city of Dar es Salaam because both of them are unique in East Africa. However, with the development of inland East Africa, the city of Mombasa has gradually failed to keep up with the pace of Dar es Salaam. This is related to its economic hinterland.
As the economic hinterland, Mombasa will never surpass Dar es Salaam. Therefore, in order to become competitive with Dar es Salaam, the only way out for Mombasa is to drive the northern industrial belt to develop in tandem.
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Time passed quickly and it was already 1886. East Africa was still completing the construction of various regions step by step. At the same time, the East African army was sharpening its swords and preparing for war.
By 1886, the West African region had been completely divided up, with Britain, France and Germany benefiting the most. At the same time, in the Far East, Britain, France, Russia, Japan and the United States showed great interest in the Far Eastern Empire and its tributaries.
The United States invaded North Korea through military means as early as the 1960s and 1970s, but the North Korean government became more determined to be isolated, and the Americans' intentions did not come true. This should be one of the few active colonial activities of the United States that did not succeed.
The reason why the United States could not colonize North Korea through military action may be related to the distance between the two countries. Later in the 1970s, Japan used the same tactics, and the North Korean government surrendered and was forced to sign a trade agreement.
Britain also coveted the land of the Korean Peninsula, but failed due to the joint opposition of Japan and Russia. This shows that in the 1970s, Japan had broken away from its semi-colonial status and became a sovereign country that could independently participate in international affairs.
At present, the development of the Far Eastern Empire can be considered "flourishing". Under the Westernization Movement, the army and navy of the Far Eastern Empire have been greatly developed. Although the war against France ended in poor results due to government reasons, its combat effectiveness has at least been recognized by various countries. After all, the opponent is France, the world's second most powerful army.
Of course, the British did not gain nothing in 1885. After the Third Anglo-Burmese War, Britain completely occupied Burma, and on January 1, 1886, it was officially declared a British territory as an independent province of British India.
This means that the Indochina Peninsula has been basically divided up. Except for Thailand, the rest of the forces have been controlled by Britain and France. As for Thailand, it is a buffer zone between the two sides, and the Thai government is good at playing both sides, so it has not been broken up.
By 1886, the first phase of the world's colonization by the great powers had been initially completed, and basically all the "unowned land" in the world had been divided up.
This was the starting stage of the colonial frenzy since the 1970s and 1980s. In the next step, if countries wanted to seize colonies, they could only target those backward, independent and sovereign countries. The three biggest pieces of fat among them were the Ottoman Empire, the Far East Empire and the East African Kingdom.
Of course, entering the 1990s is also an opportunity. Like the United States and Japan in the past, they re-established their position in the international order in the 1990s by launching heavy blows against Spain and the Far East Empire respectively.
When there is nothing left to divide, the great powers will fight directly against each other, and a world war in the true sense will break out.
Therefore, East Africa had to ensure national defense security, deter enemies, and further strengthen economic barriers in the last twenty years of the 19th century.
The invasions of other countries by the great powers were always carried out under the banner of "free trade", which was actually forced sales.
Now that East Africa's industry is in its infancy, it cannot engage in "free trade". Otherwise, the industrial products of Germany and Austria alone would be enough to destroy East Africa's accumulated wealth.
In the first town, officials of the East African central government could feel the thick dark atmosphere in the international community.
Throughout the late 19th century, all countries, including the great powers, had a strong sense of crisis. This sense of crisis was very strong through the economy, society, and military preparations of various countries.
Europe is better off as a hunter, as each hunter can still maintain a delicate balance before the prey is divided up.
The sense of crisis among countries on other continents is very strong, especially among small and weak countries. Although these large countries, such as East Africa, the United States, the Ottoman Empire, and the Far East Empire, are also uneasy, they are not in danger of national destruction, so they can still keep a stable mentality.
Especially the Ottoman Empire, which had just experienced the Russo-Turkish War and fought well, so it could enjoy a period of stability in the following period. After all, there were not many countries that could resist Tsarist Russia.
As for the Far Eastern Empire, as long as it is not as unlucky as in its previous life, it will not decline rapidly. What Ernst was talking about is unlucky.
The Far Eastern Empire was completely destroyed in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. Before the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the Far Eastern Empire was not at a disadvantage in the purely military confrontation with Tsarist Russia and France.
However, after being defeated by Japan, the international image of the Far Eastern Empire plummeted to the bottom, and the title of the "sick man" of East Asia was confirmed.
After all, Japan was a "weak" and "poor" country that did not even have many mineral resources for development. Being defeated by such a country, in the eyes of European and American countries, all the "prosperity data" of the Far Eastern Empire during the Westernization Movement era turned into nothing.
In fact, if the Far Eastern Imperial Government learned from Tsarist Russia and was as thick-skinned, it would also be able to gain a foothold in the international community. After all, Tsarist Russia had lost face before, but it would always make up for it. However, the performance of the Qing royal family in the previous life was too poor.
After all, great changes have taken place in this time and space. Ernst is not sure whether the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 will definitely break out, but considering the results of last year's Sino-French War, it is likely to happen. After all, Japan's wolf ambitions are there, and everything is just a matter of time.
After talking about the two old empires, then there are the United States and East Africa. In fact, according to the performance of the United States and East Africa in recent years, the two countries are in completely different situations from the previous two and can be fully rated as "emerging countries."
Especially the United States, its development has attracted worldwide attention. Compared with the United States, East Africa is just okay. Currently, the urbanization rate in the United States is close to 40%, while that in East Africa is only more than 20%, so East Africa is still in the "large rural" stage.
The urbanization rate of the United States is close to 40%, which can only be compared with that of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, or small industrial countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands.
Moreover, the location of the United States is "safer" than East Africa. No matter how remote East Africa is, it is connected to the Eurasian continent. In fact, ancient Africa has always been the continent most closely connected with the Eurasian continent.
As for other continents, they are all isolated civilizations, or there is no civilization like in sub-Saharan Africa.
Therefore, the challenges East Africa faces are greater than those faced by the United States. This is a geopolitical challenge that Americans, who are isolated on the American continent, cannot feel.
Of course, the Hechingen royal family's ability to respond to crises has increased in recent years with the increase in East African national strength, but Ernst himself has doubts about the combat effectiveness of the army of an absolute monarchy.
After all, the East African army was very young and had never encountered a strong opponent, so Ernst had doubts about his own judgment.
Not to mention the data of the East African Army, in fact, the data of the Far Eastern Empire Army is better than that of East Africa, so the final result depends on the actual combat effect, especially the East African Navy. The navy is the branch of the military with the greatest uncertainty, and Archduke Ferdinand has always been in charge of this aspect.
(End of this chapter)
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