African Entrepreneurship Records

Chapter 508 Economic Sanctions

 Leopold II, a young man, tipped off East Africa and made East Africa understand the British intentions. It seems that East Africa is very attractive to Britain.

Following the communication with Leopold II, Britain also contacted countries such as Italy, Abyssinia, Egypt and even the Kingdom of Immerina across the Mozambique Strait, and had cordial exchanges with them.

A prototype of a simple encirclement formed from all directions of southeast, northwest and northwest was formed. However, anyone with a discerning eye knows that this encirclement has an effect, but it has no effect.

Especially the northern countries have a very ambiguous attitude towards East Africa. Portugal is the only one who sincerely follows the British. Furthermore, even if other countries really follow the British to encircle East Africa, they will not be able to do so. Just like the British blockaded the United States, the United States A turn towards the Pacific Ocean easily neutralized the British tactics.

East Africa does not need to learn from the United States. East Africa's naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean are still good, and it can maintain East Africa's trade. The Royal Navy is a great threat, but its power is also relatively dispersed.

Moreover, the location of the United States makes it easier to be sanctioned than East Africa. After all, the United States is far away from the international market center (Europe). The vicinity of East Africa is the core core area of ​​​​the world's shipping routes. Although it is somewhat different from East Africa, it also makes it very difficult to contain East Africa. Difficult, even if the sea is not possible, there is still a land route.

Even the Kingdom of Immerina was not spared by the British, which is interesting. This shows that the British were already a bit hungry in order to contain East Africa.

In July 1879, the British government passed the East Africa Sanctions Act, which imposed sanctions on the export of agricultural products from East Africa, especially tropical agricultural products. It also prohibited domestic and colonial enterprises from exporting technology, machinery, etc. to East Africa, and prohibited the purchase of minerals exported from East Africa. Industrial products.

The British sanctions bill was quickly transmitted back to East Africa along the telegram.

"Sanctions us? What is the British's reason?" Ernst asked curiously.

“Your Highness, according to Britain’s own statement, we in East Africa have violated the so-called free trade principles.”

"Haha, what's the reason for Britain? Why doesn't it talk about free trade with other countries?" Ernst said disdainfully, "The more the enemy opposes, the more right we are doing, that is, we cannot give the British a chance to intervene in East Africa."

The British's free trade, to put it nicely now, is the British's unilateral free trade, turning East Africa into a raw material supply and commodity dumping ground for the British. Neither Germany nor Austria has this treatment, so the British can't even think about it. Ernst Not comprador, relying on the British for food.

“Your Highness, British sanctions are still a bit of a threat, especially in the field of agricultural products, and the British market cannot be underestimated.”

Although Ernst said he looked down on Britain and had little interest in developing trade with Britain, Britain was, after all, the largest country in the world in terms of area and second only to the Far Eastern Empire in population. Therefore, East Africa was inevitably at odds with Britain and its colonies. There are trade exchanges, and the British have high consumption levels and are generous, which is considered a good market. Therefore, in the face of British sanctions, Ernst must also think of a way.

“We should pay more attention to the British colonies, especially India and Australia, which are relatively large colonies that are far away from the British mainland. Maybe the British mainland will strictly enforce the laws. I don’t believe their colonies also have this awareness. "

“Your Highness, we are actually in a competitive relationship with India, especially in the agricultural field.”

"I know this. I just want to use the channels within the UK. There is no airtight wall in the world. The UK is too big and the global empire it has built is still scattered. Then we can find a breakthrough."

East Africa's tropical agricultural products occupy an important position in the world, especially the scale advantage of planting, which makes East Africa's agricultural products very competitive. East Africa can squeeze out competitors by reducing profits, and it can also make profits by giving away profits to partners. Hard earned money.

"Our agricultural products are more affected by British sanctions, but this is what I expected. The United Kingdom can only impose sanctions on agricultural products in East Africa. In other aspects, we have too little contact with the United Kingdom." This is probably why the United Kingdom One of the reasons for the dissatisfaction with East Africa is that East Africa's rich resources and population are cheaper than Germany and Austria, and Britain cannot benefit from them at all.

The UK does not know the specific population of East Africa, but the country is so large that the number of black people will definitely not be small. There should be tens of millions. There is nothing to say in terms of resources. East Africa is too large, so there cannot be a shortage of minerals.

Since the Crown Prince is not worried, he has nothing to worry about. In fact, the Hechingen Consortium has many ways to circumvent British sanctions, but the steps are a little more complicated.

“Your Highness, how should our officials respond to the British sanctions?”

“What’s the response? We’re not asking the British, they can impose sanctions if they want!”

Ernst is not afraid at all. Britain is not like the United States in its previous life. Although the world market has been formed thanks to the efforts of the United Kingdom and other countries, the current world market is not a one-size-fits-all one.

 In previous lives, U.S. economic sanctions were fatal to many countries, and the strength of countries that can withstand sanctions economically cannot be underestimated.

 Now that the British want to impose economic sanctions on East Africa, they can only use war, and other methods are ineffective against East Africa.

East Africa can be self-sufficient in energy and minerals; capital and technology can be provided by the German region; in terms of market, East Africa has not had much exchanges with the United Kingdom. Although it will suffer some losses, it will not affect the development of East Africa.

 The UK is unique in the technology accumulation during the First Industrial Revolution, including textile machinery, steam engines and other fields. East Africa may be affected to some extent in these areas, but East Africa can also purchase the machines and technologies it wants through third-party countries.

Now the second industrial revolution is not enough to replace the influence of the first industrial revolution, especially in the field of power. Things running on the ground, swimming in water, and factory production are all inseparable from steam engines. Therefore, the United Kingdom is looking at the first industrial revolution. The dividends of the revolution can keep China in the position of world hegemon for several more decades.

Thinking of this, Ernst felt that East Africa should not act too hastily. The initiative lies in the hands of the British. The British are full of bad ideas, so he must stabilize himself first. As long as there are no problems in East Africa, the British's troubles will have no effect. , and are not afraid of the UK and East Africa. The UK itself must be the first to suffer. After all, there are several countries eyeing the UK's position, and East Africa can only be regarded as a fledgling country.

  In other words, East Africa is only a potential threat, and other countries are already a thorn in the side of the UK. It is impossible for the UK to focus on Africa for a long time.

Thinking of this, Ernst said: "It seems it's time to show weakness, but how can I pretend to be harmless to humans and animals!"

Disguising oneself as weak can indeed paralyze the enemy. Ernst knew that the United States was well disguised. After all, the United States does not even want an army now, so it is not harmless to humans and animals!

East Africa cannot do this. The United States is a democratic system. Even if it is broken, it can still form a consensus, so the United Kingdom has nothing to do with the United States. If East Africa dares to abolish its martial arts, East Africa may still exist, and the rule of the Hechingen royal family will definitely be over.

Since we cannot compromise on the military front, we can only think of ways to deal with international public opinion. How about engaging in the East African collapse theory? Probably not. If you want to collapse, you must at least rise first. Just like a country like Haiti in the previous life, if it really collapses, it may be a good thing. The theory of collapse is not suitable for East Africa. If you use the beggar-thy-neighbor method, it feels good. After all, a dead Taoist friend will not die a poor Taoist. The United States and other countries should also help East Africa share its firepower.

 (End of this chapter)