Chapter 312: Chapter 61, The Unanticipated Global Strategy
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The wheels of history rolled forth, and after Alexander II ascended the throne, the Tsarist Government once again unfolded the prelude to reform.

However, Alexander II did not possess the prestige of Emperor Nicholas, and could not suppress the domestic Nobility, resulting in somewhat of an awkward situation.

This was a consequence of the failure of Nicholas I’s reforms, making everyone extremely wary of the Tsar playing new tricks. Faced with the united Aristocratic Group, Alexander II truly found himself powerless.

Of course, Russian history books will definitely not say that Emperor Nicholas’s reforms failed, but rather that he died too soon to complete them.

Having seized Constantinople, Nicholas I was elevated to a deity, becoming the greatest Tsar of the Russian Empire.

The successful are not blamed, and people will find reasons to defend him, with all the pressure of reform falling on Alexander II.

Internal strife within the Tsarist Government intensified, and the Russians had no energy left to continue looking for trouble with the British.

On March 26, 1860, Britain and Russia signed the “Indian memorandum.” The British secured Russian recognition of their sovereignty in the Indian region for the price of a 15 million British Pounds low-interest loan.

In other words, the Indian Rebels were sold out by the Tsarist Government. Although this was not a good price, Alexander II could not afford to be choosy anymore.

Reform also requires funds, unless one resorts to violent means of reform, compensation for the interest-damaged groups is indispensable.

Watching the pitiful Alexander II struggling in a fierce fight with the domestic Aristocratic Group, Franz could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

A Russian Empire embroiled in infighting needed a stable international environment, which made the Russian-Austrian Alliance crucially important.

This was precisely what Franz needed as well. At the final juncture of the Industrial Revolution, Austria needed a stable international situation.

The British were busy suppressing the Indian Rebellion and had no time for more mischief; the French, too, were at the final juncture of the Industrial Revolution, necessitating a stable international environment.

With the four great powers all in need of stability, naturally, no one would create trouble on the European Continent. Other regions, however, might be a different story, as the Second Opium War had already erupted, and signs of the American Civil War were emerging.

Overseas matters had little to do with the Vienna Government; so far, Austria’s sphere of influence extended only to the Mediterranean and African Continent, unable to reach further afield.

Yet, it would soon become relevant. Looking at the “Austrian Global Strategic Plan” submitted by the Colonial Department, Franz could only lament that ambition was a fine thing.

Regardless of whether it can be achieved in the end, the plan must first be impressive. Almost every Colonial Empire has a global strategy, and it was tardy for the Austrian Colonial Department to be presenting its plan now.

After carefully studying it, Franz had to admit that the person who drafted the plan had quite a strategic vision; theoretically, the strategies outlined could be realized.

Completely following Franz’s strategic thoughts, the plan was to avoid intense conflicts with the major Colonial Empires as much as possible before the complete partition of colonial possessions.

“The expansion plan in the African Continent poses no issue; connecting our colonies shouldn’t be difficult, the main challenge being the harsh natural conditions.

Penetration into the Arabian Peninsula and gradually taking control over the region isn’t too difficult either; once the Suez Canal is open to navigation, we can control these areas.

However, the strategic problems in Asia and America are significant.

The Asian region of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Kalimantan Island are too distant from us; how much force can we commit?

Even though these areas haven’t attracted much attention from various nations, the surrounding areas are under the influence of the Dutch, Spaniards, and British. It’s not difficult for us to occupy these regions, but how about ruling them in the future?

The problems in the American region are even greater. These independent countries may seem weak, barely able to survive on the European Continent, but on the faraway American Continent, we might not be any match for them.

War requires resources, and we must consider cost and benefit. And as for the plan to dig a canal in Central America, stop it immediately; there’s no point in making a wedding dress for someone else when we can’t defend it.

Establishing colonial outposts on the Patagonian plateau is no major issue; there are hardly any people out there.”

There were several other islands that Franz did not comment on. He didn’t know where they were, and could hardly offer an opinion without reference.

These obscure places, not even notable on a modern globe, were not part of his memory anymore.

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Governor József Jellacic explained, “Your Majesty, our plans have been thoroughly analyzed and studied, and they all have a certain feasibility.

For instance, the Nicobar Islands are a legacy left by the Austrian East India Company, now governed by our civilian merchants.

There’s also Kalimantan Island, where we already have colonial strongholds. In the Malaysian region, we have obtained most-favored-nation status.

These achievements were mostly secured by civilian colonial teams, not government organized. The British occupation of the entire Australia recently has distressed them, leading them to seek help from the Colonial Department.

Considering that the British are currently occupied with suppressing the Indian rebellion and won’t have the capacity to compete with us over territories in the short term, the Colonial Department agreed to this plan.

As for the American colonization plan, we are preparing for economic colonization, to infiltrate Central America through economic means. The capitalists proposed the canal project in the Panama area.

Keeping this plan is mainly for future considerations. If we could control the countries in Central America, then it would be necessary to construct this canal.

Your Majesty, the countries in the Central American region are extremely weak, almost devoid of any industry, and their weapons and ammunition are entirely reliant on imports.

The total population is just over two million, averaging about three hundred thousand people per country, among which three-fifths are Indians, one-fifth are mixed race, and there are less than one-fifth white people.”

Franz had nothing to say in response, no wonder the Colonial Department had its sights on Central America, with weakness to this extent, it would be surprising if it didn’t attract attention.

First comes economic colonization, then gradually immigration, and once the number of immigrants is sufficient, they would overthrow the local governments.

There’s hardly any difficulty, a consequence of having such a small population. With enough investment from the Vienna Government, colonizing these regions is really not challenging.

Thinking this, Franz could only criticize the Spaniards for squandering. It seems that the rich legacy left by the split of the Habsburg dynasty was taken for granted, with no appreciation for its value.

If the government had any resolve, these regions wouldn’t have become independent. If not feasible, they could have established autonomous territories, created economic communities, which are better than not being able to hook even a strand of hair now.

“Alright, you’ve convinced me. However, let’s shelve the canal project for now, I don’t wish for a canal that improves American transportation to appear before the United States is split.”

…

Ever since he read “Austrian Global Strategic Plan,” Franz began to value the collection of information on various countries.

It’s shocking what you discover when you start looking. If not for geographical limitations, he wouldn’t bother developing the African Continent, and would directly colonize South America instead.

Just look at the population of the South American countries:

Peru has a territory of 1.29 million square kilometers, with an approximate population of 2 million;

Paraguay has a territory of 410,000 square kilometers, with an approximate population of 500,000;

Bolivia has a territory of 1.1 million square kilometers, with an approximate population of 1.25 million;

Ecuador has a territory of 280,000 square kilometers, with an approximate population of 800,000;

Brazil has a territory of 8.51 million square kilometers, with an approximate population of 7.3 million;

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With such small populations, there are severe racial conflicts within these countries; the ruling class of white people is a minority, with the majority being Indians and black slaves.

It makes sense, considering that neither Portugal nor Spain are populous nations, yet they had so many colonies. Where could they have gotten so many immigrants from?

Without enough immigrants, the local development naturally failed to progress. Low levels of development then lessened the desire for further immigration.

After falling into this vicious cycle, the countries of South America slowly missed their opportunities for development. Once the United States began to rise, they faced suppression, leaving them no chance to develop.

This is also related to the ineffectiveness of the governments in South American countries. If the government had done a decent job, becoming a power would not have been an issue.