Chapter 1121 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 obviously impossible for Russia, which was also a Slavic country, to sit idly by. reason.
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 expand its national power. However, the Yugoslav country that Serbia wants to establish already overlaps with the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and may even split the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Slavs, so the conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia is almost irreconcilable unless Serbia gives up its ambitions for the territory of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
However, after the Balkan War, Serbian nationalism will further expand, and Ernst can already foresee the tense relationship between Austria-Hungary and Serbia after the war.
The war between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Serbia will most likely trigger a chain reaction throughout Europe, leading 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 the East African countries and get involved in the quagmire of a total war in Europe. This is also an important reason why Ernst planned Bosnia in advance. If the worst happened As the 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 just as Ernst was actively preparing for World War I, the 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.
East Africa, as a powerful empire formed by colonial prosperity, dealt a devastating blow to the local indigenous people, but it also gave new hope to the Eurasian residents of the country. Without the existence of East Africa, their destiny would have been completely different.
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 life of its citizens has continued to improve, and its overall national strength has increased, allowing East African citizens to enjoy the same benefits all over the world. Due respect.
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 before his own eyes.
Of course, Constantine's fate in this life also changed greatly because of Ernst. In this life, he not only became the emperor of a powerful empire in the world, but also lived until the age of 113. In comparison, In his previous life, he died alone and could be said to have been quite happy, enjoying the happiness of his family.
The death of Constantine also represented the end of an era. The entire East African nation 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 still had a relatively large influence in the world. Apart from his status as the emperor of the Rhine Empire, Constantine's own experience was 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, it was indeed the home of many European nobles. A height that could never be reached in a lifetime, not to mention that Constantine later became the supreme ruler of a powerful empire on the African continent.
The royal families or nobles of major countries such as Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as 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 status. 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 national affairs as an imperial emperor for the first time. And today, when the world situation is so tense, any changes 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 affect Ernst, thus leading to changes 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.
It goes without saying that Britain is France's century-old feud, but Russia also got the title of European Gendarmerie by stepping on the French crown, and the two countries also fought in Crimea.
Therefore, 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 France's biggest enemy, Germany. Germany is the country that has posed the greatest threat to France in recent years. Even worse than Britain and Russia, Britain is across the English Channel and poses no 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 either you die or I die. .
(End of this chapter)