Chapter 527: East Africa–British India Trade
Once the landmark design was settled, East Africa quickly solicited proposals from European architects and selected the one most pleasing to both Ernst and his father.
"The Lighthouse of Civilization, exactly 100 meters tall. That height is sufficient for most ships on the Indian Ocean to see it. The top will feature a statue of the Goddess of Peace, and the tower body will be adorned with lion sculptures on all four sides—an East African symbol. A globe will be placed at the peak, representing the world. In the future, it may…"
Looking at the design sketch, Ernst was very satisfied. The height didn't carry any particular symbolic meaning—100 meters was simply a good number and quite a feat for the era.
At present, the tallest structure in the world was the Great Pyramid of Giza at just over 100 meters. It would only be surpassed next year by Germany's Cologne Cathedral.
The statue of the Goddess of Peace was a popular German symbol—just look at the Brandenburg Gate.
By combining lions and a globe, the design included both East African and global elements—truly befitting of a "Lighthouse of Civilization."
…
Southern Frontier Province
East Africa–Cape Town border
As usual, tensions at the border were high. East African border guards Hans and Charlie began their patrol to prevent any enemy infiltration.
"Hey Hans, seems like there are fewer British troops on the other side lately. Are they letting their guard down?" Charlie said.
He didn't know that many Cape Town troops had been redeployed to suppress the uprising in Afghanistan—a top-level secret only East African leadership was aware of.
Still, it wasn't hard to guess something was up. Charlie had noticed with his own eyes that the number of British soldiers at the border had decreased.
"What does it matter?" Hans replied. "We haven't received any orders to invade Cape Town. Whether their numbers increase or decrease doesn't concern us."
Hans's words carried an air of arrogance. As a German—and a soldier in the undefeated East African army—he was confident, especially in the strength of the land forces.
The German army was considered the best in the world, and East Africa's military, heavily German in nature, was undoubtedly the strongest on the continent.
"True," Charlie grinned. "Still, those Brits must be having trouble. Heh."
On the other side of the fence, British soldier Letta scowled at the sound of their laughter. He knew why Cape Town's forces had been thinned out—many of his comrades were now in Afghanistan fighting rebels.
Seeing Letta's grim expression only made Charlie laugh harder. They were all familiar faces. If Charlie spoke English, he might've struck up a conversation.
"Ha ha ha…"
But the ones laughing hardest were the smugglers who had just closed a deal at the border.
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Max!"
"Pleasure indeed!"
Dukin gripped the British pounds in his hand, very satisfied with the transaction. Max, eager for greater profits, was happy to buy goods from East Africa and resell them in Cape Town.
Clearly, the British had learned nothing from history.
The East African annexation of the Transvaal Republic had started with border trade between East Africa and that Boer state.
After taking over the Orange Free State, the British learned about this from former Boers who had fled there.
Naturally, Britain responded by sanctioning East Africa—banning trade with its merchants.
But along the Cape Town border, that ban was a joke. Both East African and British traders chose to ignore it.
Especially since the opening of the Central Railway, trade volume between East Africa and Cape Town had tripled. Goods from East Africa were being directly exchanged for British pounds—and those pounds became part of East Africa's national treasury.
The pound sterling was a globally stable and accepted currency. Even though official trade was banned, East Africa had no trouble spending those pounds to import whatever it needed.
Britain itself didn't have many of the raw materials East Africa required. But its colonies did—and often at better prices.
For example, East African coastal cities imported coal, iron ore, and timber from India. These were essential for industrial development. In return, Zanzibar merchants exported East African steel and industrial goods back to India.
Trade between East Africa and India had grown every year. British sanctions had done nothing—except cost British companies lucrative contracts.
Britain's suppression of Indian industrial development left India heavily reliant on exporting raw materials and importing British-made goods.
Colonial officials in India were desperate for revenue and had to increase exports. In the past, there were few buyers—but then East Africa, the wealthiest market in the Indian Ocean, appeared. It was a perfect match.
East Africa's cheap goods flooded into India. Corrupt officials resold them to India's wealthy class—creating a self-sustaining economic loop.
As for the sanctions—well, those were Britain's problem, not India's. Yes, Queen Victoria was Empress of India—but money talked.
With British pounds flowing into their pockets, Indian colonial officers felt no guilt. Selling out their country? Nonsense. The Queen's face was right there on the currency.
Indian officials profited from both ends. East African imports of Indian resources filled their coffers, and selling industrial goods to Indian elites squeezed the local population for even more.
The only cost was Indian blood and sweat—and in India, human life was cheap. It was a perfect deal.
Among Britain's industrial rivals, East Africa, Germany, and the U.S. were the greatest threats. East Africa exploited colonial trade routes, while Germany and the U.S. stole British designs with copycat goods.
British labor costs were high, and as an island nation, its prices were too. Not exorbitant—but certainly not as competitive as the continental powers.
Industrial decline in Britain was inevitable. Instead, it focused on finance—after all, Britain still controlled most of the world's financial networks.
East Africa's infiltration of the Indian market was due in large part to geography. Though Britain ruled India, it couldn't change the fact that it was twice as far from India as East Africa was.
As the closest industrialized country to India, East Africa had a strategic edge.
India was Britain's largest and most valuable colony. East Africa had no choice but to exploit that opportunity.
Thanks to its location and low production costs, East Africa's trade with India had become one of its most important foreign trade sectors—perhaps even surpassing its trade with the Far Eastern Empire.
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