Chapter 313: Chapter 62, Global Cruising
It must be said that the Colonial Department chose an opportune time, as the Anglo-American conflict over Central America could stretch back ten years, with mutual restraints and backstabbings ensuring neither side gained an advantage.

To fully suppress the Indian rebellion, the British conducted a limited strategic contraction overseas. In 1859, the London Government made concessions, relinquishing its sphere of influence in the Central American region.

The radicals from the American South had planned to incorporate the Central American region as slave states into the nation, but this was opposed by the industrialists from the North.

The North-South divide must be traced back to the Mexican-American War, as it was the acquisition of vast lands from Mexico that ignited the conflict between the North and the South.

The Southern plantation owners wanted these regions to become Slave States, while the Northern industrialists demanded they become Free States.

Unable to reconcile their interests, the North-South divide became public.

The economic crisis of 1857 further deepened this divide. Northern capitalists demanded higher tariffs to protect the market, while Southern plantation owners wanted lower tariffs to facilitate the export of agricultural products.

Make no mistake, Northern capitalists wanted to increase tariffs not just on industrial goods but also on agricultural exports, to obtain cheap raw materials.

To cut one’s financial path is akin to killing one’s parents. The Southern plantation owners, naturally, could not stand for this, as it directly cut into their flesh, exploiting agriculture to subsidize industry.

As for the abolition of slavery, it was really just a pretext for war. If it were solely about ending slavery, most slave owners could accept it, provided the government was willing to offer compensation.

After all, indentured labor cost barely more than slaves. There were many labor export companies active in the United States, from which they could easily acquire sufficient cheap labor.

Certainly, the Northern industrialists had not gone to such lengths just to liberate slaves; their moral standards were not that elevated.

Turning the South into a raw materials producer and a dumping ground for industrial goods was their ultimate goal.

Since both sides understood reconciliation was impossible, the Southern plantation owners chose to take pre-emptive action after political struggles failed historically.

Now, with both sides striving for the upcoming election, the situation had become inextricably contentious, leaving no room to care about the Central American region.

Against this backdrop, Austria deepened its foray there. Of course, the move was very cautious, remaining within commercial activities.

If the American Civil War did not erupt, the Austrian influence, still unstable, would undoubtedly be no match for the Americans, and thus the Colonial Department was effectively gambling.

Unlike England and France, Austria had no foothold in the American region, so in order to intervene in the American Civil War, preparations had to be made in advance.

The army could wait, but the navy could not be absent.

The Southern plantation owners were absolutely unwilling to submit to the Northern capitalists; as long as the sea transport channels were secured and the plantation owners saw European powers backing them, they would not surrender easily.

Despite the great disparity in strength between the North and South, this gap could be narrowed. With logistical support from Europe, they could even have an edge in arms and equipment.

In plain terms, it was the era of great voyages. A single ship could transport thousands of tons at a time, and a round trip to North America took just a few months.

With support from the major European powers, it was no problem to replenish tens of thousands of tons of weapons and ammunition every month.

The United States at this time was not yet the superpower of later years; it was merely a nobody. They did not have the capability to produce tens of thousands of tons of ammunition each month.

If the European powers also blockaded the Northern government’s supply of materials, then the Northern government’s advantage would be limited to manpower.

Manpower advantage is not insurmountable; the Southern Government had money, and they could use cotton and tobacco as collateral for loans to recruit mercenaries in Europe.

If everyone could be a bit more shameless and first pretend to be the Southern Navy, crippling the Northern forces, then frequently raid the coastal cities of the North.

We wouldn’t even need to land; just hurling dozens of tons of shells into the cities every day would ruin the Northern economy before long.

As for the final outcome, Franz wasn’t a prophet, so he couldn’t be certain. The longer the war dragged on, the wider its impact, and the harder it would be for the United States to recover afterward.

The power of hatred should never be underestimated; once both sides are soaked in blood, even if there’s a forced reunification, it won’t be peaceful.

Franz asked, “How much longer until the newly constructed Bavaria, Lombardi, Württemberg, Hesse, and Saxony can enter service?”

The navy had sold the naming rights for these warships, with the Sub-State governments covering one-third of the shipbuilding costs to obtain them.

Even Franz encouraged the Sub-State governments to establish their own navies, but sadly no one took the bait. They were all landlubbers without even a sea port; how could they be interested?

The only reason they were willing to sponsor the navy with extra money was for prestige. How could they have none when other Sub-States had their own?

Fortunately, the Sub-States of the New Holy Roman Empire weren’t poor; they could easily come up with hundreds of thousands of Divine Shields.

So, with some coaxing from the Naval Department, these Sub-State governments provided sponsorship funds, which made the Imperial Navy even larger.

Once these ironclad ships were in service, Austria would leap to become the world’s third naval power, behind only England and France.

The total tonnage of the navy would also surpass the important threshold of 100,000 tons, and with ten ironclads, it would have the most such ships in the world.

Of course, this advantage wouldn’t last long. In a few months, it would be overtaken by the British, and within a year or two, by the French.

A naval arms race? Franz had no intention of continuing that game. The current ships were mainly built to be sold.

Once the Civil War erupted, he would sell a portion to the Southern Government at a high price; of course, selling to the Northern Government was also a possibility.

Taking sides was contingent on the South being at a disadvantage; maintaining a balance of power between the Americans, letting them fight each other, was essential.

As for the North’s advantages being so great they were bound to win, it was utter nonsense. Just look at how long the Civil War lasted; if one side had a crushing advantage, it wouldn’t have taken four years.

The North’s advantages were in industry and population, while the South excelled militarily. The capitalists didn’t have the courage to carry a rifle into battle themselves, but the plantation owners did.

The United States was a nation of immigrants, where people’s sense of identity wasn’t strong. The enthusiastic enlistment propagated by later generations of Americans was actually due to being forced to enlist.

Especially the newer immigrants, who had come during the revolutionary period to avoid turmoil, were now being asked to join the battlefield; it’d be surprising if they were willing!

“Your Majesty, the Bavaria is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the remaining ships will be completed early next year. All of these warships will be in service by around May next year,” replied Navy Minister Filkos.

After calculating a bit, Franz realized there was plenty of time. No matter how much the butterfly effect influenced events, the American Civil War wouldn’t end within a few months, and there would still be time for the Austrian Navy to arrive.

“The Naval Department’s global cruising plan can be initiated. Send out seven ironclad warships to visit the whole world, starting with the Asian region, then on to America, and finally revisiting the countries of Europe.”

To make our presence known, it’s best to aim at countries overseas, to avoid agitating the sensitive nerves of European nations.

By the time this tour is completed, these warships would have been almost entirely sold off; then, returning to Europe wouldn’t attract as much attention.