Chapter 1121 The Death of Constantine
The Austro-Hungarian Empire regarded the Balkan Peninsula as its own sphere of influence, but the countries on the Balkan Peninsula were dominated by Slavs, which allowed Russia to take the initiative in the Balkan Peninsula.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was originally a non-colonial power. It lost the important market of the Balkans and almost pushed the Austro-Hungarian Empire to death. Once the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, it was also a Slavic country. Russia obviously cannot sit idly by.
The Balkan Peninsula is almost the only direction in which the Austro-Hungarian Empire can expand, and it is also the only hope for the Austro-Hungarian Empire to further strengthen its national power. However, the Yugoslav country that Serbia wants to establish already overlaps with the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Slavs within the Austro-Hungarian Empire could be divided, so the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia was almost irreconcilable unless Serbia gave up its ambitions for the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
But after the Balkan War, Serbian nationalism will further expand. Ernst can already foresee the tense relationship between Austria-Hungary and Serbia after the war.
The war between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia is very likely to trigger a chain reaction throughout Europe, which will lead to the outbreak of a full-scale war in Europe. Therefore, the key to the outbreak of World War I lies in the conflict between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia.
Although he was full of sympathy for the future Austro-Hungarian Empire, Ernst could not go against the interests of East African countries and get involved in the quagmire of a total war in Europe. This was also an important reason why Ernst planned to deploy Bosnia in advance. If the worst situation develops, East Africa must try its best to ensure that East Africa has a local voice after the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and there is no more effective way than supporting a pro-East African regime.
......
With the outbreak of the Balkan War, time came to 1913 in a blink of an eye. It was only more than a year before the outbreak of World War I in the previous life, and Ernst was actively preparing for the First World War. While preparing, bad news came.
Emperor Constantine of the Rhine Empire passed away quietly on February 3, 1913, and the whole of East Africa fell into a state of mourning.
As the imperial emperor, although Constantine rarely interfered in national affairs, Constantine had already become a symbol of the empire. From the East African Kingdom to the Rhine Empire, Constantine, as the nominal supreme leader of the country, could establish a long-term relationship with the East African countries. Strong history is closely related.
As a powerful empire formed by colonial prosperity, East Africa has dealt a devastating blow to the local indigenous people, but it has also given new hope to the Eurasian residents of the country. Without the existence of East Africa, their fate would have been different. Completely different situation.
Either be a second-class citizen in the United States and suffer the contempt of American society, or die in the chaotic situation of the Far Eastern Empire, or serve as a gray animal under the cruel rule of Tsarist Russia.
East Africa as a whole is equivalent to a royal paradise for most citizens. In the past fifty years, East Africa's economy has developed rapidly, the quality of people's lives has continued to improve, and the overall national strength has increased, allowing East African citizens to The whole world can also enjoy the respect it deserves.
As the supreme leader of the empire, Constantine was naturally loved by most of the people, but the East African emperor still couldn't get rid of the shackles of life and said goodbye to the empire he had witnessed grow up with his own eyes.
The death of Constantine was a big blow to Ernst. Ernst and Constantine had been dependent on each other since childhood, and their relationship was extremely deep.
Of course, Constantine's fate in this life has also been greatly changed because of Ernst. In this life, he not only became the emperor of a powerful empire in the world, but also lived until one hundred and eleven years old. At the age of thirteen, compared to the lonely death in his previous life, it can be said that he was quite happy and enjoyed all the happiness of his family.
The death of Constantine also represented the end of an era. The whole country of East Africa mourned for seven days and held a grand national mourning. From Gezira in the north to Bloemfontein in the south, from Orientale (a city on the island of Pemba) in the east to Luanda in the west, the whole of East Africa is in mourning.
Constantine's death also affected changes in the world situation. Most countries in the world sent important personnel to attend Constantine's funeral.
As the emperor of an important empire, Constantine's influence in the world is still relatively large. In addition to his status as emperor of the Rhine Empire, Constantine's own experience is enough to cause some waves.
Because Constantine was one of the important old men in Europe who experienced the Napoleonic era. He was one of the living fossils of modern European history and one of the European monarchs. Although the Prince of Hechingen was only an insignificant small German country, But it is indeed a height that many European nobles cannot reach in their lifetime, not to mention that Constantine later became the supreme ruler of a powerful empire on the African continent.
The royal family or nobles of major countries such as Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Britain, France, or government leaders of other countries basically sent people to see off this old man who was also highly respected in Europe.
The Rhine Palace and other places across the country lowered flags at half-mast in mourning. In the capital Rhine City, more than 200,000 people attended the farewell procession. On this day, all production activities in Rhine City stopped, and most citizens participated in mourning activities.
Constantine's body was arranged to be buried in the Rhine Cathedral based on his Catholic identity. Constantine's death was even more influential than the Balkan War and attracted worldwide attention.
After all, after the death of Constantine, Ernst will handle state affairs as an imperial emperor for the first time. And today, when the world is so tense, any change in the political situation of this world power in East Africa may trigger changes in the world situation.
Although Ernst has always been the de facto leader in East Africa, this does not mean that Constantine has little influence. Some of Constantine’s ideas can directly influence Ernst and thus guide Shifts in national politics.
So after Constantine's death, Ernst's governance policy will obviously be affected to a certain extent.
This is extremely important for European countries. East Africa's international status requires European countries to win over East Africa and prevent East Africa from siding with their respective enemies. France is especially nervous.
In order to defeat Germany, France can be said to have united all the forces that could be united, and even reconciled with its two enemies, Britain and Russia, which was almost unimaginable before.
Needless to say, Britain is a century-old enemy of France, and Russia also got the title of European Gendarmerie by stepping on the French crown, and the two countries also fought in Crimea.
So it can be said that it is quite rare for France to put aside its historical grudges with the United Kingdom and Russia. France has only one purpose from beginning to end, and that is to defeat Germany, France’s biggest enemy. Germany has been the biggest opponent of France in recent years. The country that threatens France the most is even more so than Britain and Russia. Britain is across the English Channel and does not pose a fatal threat to France, while Russia is very far away from France. Only Germany and France have irreconcilable conflicts. It can even be said that you will not die unless you die. It’s my dead relationship state.
(End of this chapter)