NOVPUBAs the largest import and export trading nation in the world, Britain can be said to be the biggest victim of this economic crisis.
The domestic strikes had not yet subsided when they were hit by a shrinking international market, leading to a rapid decline in exports and a sharp rise in unemployment, exacerbating social contradictions.
To quell domestic unrest and divert public attention, the British Parliament decided to hold elections ahead of schedule.
Unquestionably, Gelson’s Liberal Party was defeated in the elections, replaced by the Conservative Party led by Benjamin.
This seems to be the rule of British politics, aside from Earl Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister, who served for twenty consecutive years, the terms of the rest have generally not exceeded eight years.
(Note: The term of the British Prime Minister and Parliament is five years)
Prime Minister Benjamin, who returned to Downing Street once more, was happy only on the first day after the election victory; the rest was filled with worries.
The domestic economic troubles caused Prime Minister Benjamin’s hair to turn even whiter.
Colonial Minister Robert: "The domestic economy is already in grave danger. To get through this crisis, we must find bigger markets for our goods.
I propose that we resume the Persian war. Having just experienced a refugee crisis, Persia is at its weakest point now, which is very advantageous for our military operations."
Finance Minister Arthur Balfour: "The government’s finances are still plentiful and can provide us with enough funds for war.
I think that while launching the Persian war, we can also reignite the war in Ethiopia.
In the last war, we only nominally achieved victory, and most parts of Ethiopia are still out of our control.
In recent years, the Austrians have been continuously infiltrating the Ethiopian region. If we don’t act soon, we might wake up one day to find Ethiopia flying the Austrian flag.
Not just the Ethiopian region, the entire East Africa is in danger. If we don’t act quickly, neither France nor Austria will be courteous."
Navy Secretary John Vassil: "It’s not just East Africa, but also Asian regions. The French are expanding into the Indochina Peninsula, almost bordering India.
We must occupy the Gongbang Dynasty preemptively. This place is the gateway to India. If it falls into French hands, the consequences would be unimaginable."
(Note: Burma was in the midst of the Kongbaung Dynasty period, referred to by the West as: the Gongbang Dynasty)
...
Prime Minister Benjamin was hailed as a champion of colonialism, so it’s no wonder his Cabinet was filled with members of the War Party. The vast Colonial Empire of the British was built through battle by battle, and the proponents of war and colonialism have always been inseparable.
For Britain, overcoming an economic crisis through stimulating domestic demand was an impossibility.
The size of the population decided the upper limit of the domestic market in Britain. This means that to overcome the economic crisis, reliance on external markets is a necessity.
With vast colonies, it wouldn’t be difficult for the British to pull through the economic crisis, but it would take time.
To get through the economic crisis in the short term, the only option is to wage war and shift the crisis outward.
Foreign Minister Edward: "Hold on. I admit that what everyone is saying makes sense and is indeed a pressing need for Britain, but reality does not permit it.
Not to mention whether our national strength can support waging multiple wars at the same time, the diplomatic troubles alone would be enough to exhaust us.
If we don’t want to see European countries pulling us back all at once, we must have a sequence of priority. Fighting on multiple fronts would add nothing but increased risk and pressure."
The drive for the British to wage war has always been profits. Everyone knows that the London Government wouldn’t possibly wage multiple wars at the same time, yet the suggestion was still made.
This was also a game of balance among all parties, involving the military, political officials, and capitalists.
The one who initiates the battle first not only gets the benefit first but also determines the importance of that region in the eyes of the London Government.
Colonial Minister Robert: "I believe we should first restart the Persian war. The situation in the Persian region is the most complex and involves both Russia and Austria.
The Russian Empire is currently tied down by the Prusso Federation and will not be able to interfere in the Persian region for a while, but Austria is different; their influence has penetrated deep into the Persian Gulf.
Although their current target is the Ottoman, that doesn’t mean they lack ambition for the Persian region.
Right now, the Persian Government is doing everything it can to court the major powers. If we are not vigilant, maybe one day the Austrians will expand their reach into the Persian region.
Just open the map and see, if the Ottoman Empire collapses, the entire East Coast of the Mediterranean would become part of Austria, and then the Persian region would directly border Austria.
If we do not secure the Persian region as a barrier in advance, India will be under immense pressure later."
Navy Secretary John Vassil objected: "Sir Robert, you are exaggerating.
In the Persian region, we already have an absolute advantage. Unless the Ottoman Empire collapses tomorrow, the Austrians have no way to compete with us.
From the current perspective, the Ottoman Empire could at least survive another twenty years. If they complete internal reforms, they could even persist indefinitely."
Finance Minister Arthur Balfour: "Let’s not be so alarmist, gentlemen. It’s not like we are going to have a major war with France and Austria tomorrow.
Our three countries are still allies for now, and without enough interest at stake, they won’t come to stimulate our nerves.
The most important thing at the moment is to get through the economic crisis, and everyone would do best to consider more economic factors.
Since the opening of the Suez Canal, trade between the East and the West has grown rapidly. Currently, nearly forty percent of the ships in European foreign trade pass through the Suez Canal.
"This ’Golden Waterway’ has already impacted the economic lifeline of Britannia. We haven’t given it enough attention, allowing France and Austria to completely take control of the Suez Canal."
"Of course, the responsibility lies with our predecessors, but it is we who must bear the consequences." 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
"France and Austria treat the Suez Canal as their lifeline; it’s simply impossible for us to intervene. Now, we can only employ a roundabout strategy and increase our influence in the Strait of the Red Sea."
"In recent years, the French have been expanding into the Sudan area, and the Austrians into the region of Ethiopia. The two have reached an understanding to jointly squeeze our sphere of influence."
"If we let this situation continue, we will soon have no footing in East Africa. Even with our naval superiority, we’ll be able to retain only the land around our ports at most."
"Just like Cape of Good Hope now—it appears to be under our control, but if we were to fall out with the Austrians, it could be lost at any moment."
"Your Excellency, that joke isn’t funny at all. A true alliance between France and Austria is the biggest joke of this century.
"Unless one of them gives up their hegemony over Europe, it will be impossible for the two countries to truly unite; they now see each other as their greatest enemy!" Colonial Minister Robert retorted.
Giving up European hegemony is easier said than done; what makes you think they would believe it?
Unless they’ve lost the power to contend for dominance, verbal commitments can’t be trusted.
Unless one of France and Austria declines, the struggle for hegemony on the European Continent will continue.
"Right now, the two are at peace because they seem equally matched, and with the presence of third, fourth, and fifth parties, no one wants to start a war and give others an advantage."
Foreign Minister Edward: "Sir Robert, there is indeed a possibility of a union between France and Austria. Anything can happen, so long as the interests are right."
"Sir Edward, I’m not saying it’s impossible for France and Austria to unite, but under the current international circumstances, it is not feasible.
"The seemingly friendly Franco-Austrian relations are, in fact, full of contradictions. If we’re willing, it won’t be hard to incite conflict between them," explained Colonial Minister Robert.
"No, Sir Robert. We actually need France and Austria to appear amicable on the surface but to harbor mutual animosity in secret.
"Provoking a Franco-Austrian conflict, and thus triggering a European war, would disrupt the balance on the continent, which is not in our interest. So, this option simply doesn’t exist."
"We have seen the importance of the Suez Canal, and France and Austria see it too, perhaps even more acutely."
"For the past several years, we’ve been trying to buy shares in the Canal Company, only to be rejected, which speaks volumes."
"If we don’t take action, France and Austria could indeed unite over the leadership of the Suez Canal and force us out of East Africa."
"There’s precedent for this; France and Austria have united before, and we nearly got pushed out of the Mediterranean," warned Foreign Minister Edward.
That’s the most troubling part: on one hand, we need Franco-Austrian conflict to prevent them from aligning; on the other hand, we can’t instigate discord that would incite war on the European Continent and disrupt the balance.
From a British standpoint, whether it’s France or Austria who wins the war, it will be a disaster. The current balance of power, with three major players, is actually the most suitable for our strategy of European balance.
Prime Minister Benjamin broke off the argument: "Gentlemen, if no one can persuade the other, then let’s decide by voting! This bickering isn’t getting us anywhere, and time waits for no one."
It seemed like he was playing peacemaker, but it also clearly showed his position. There was an obvious majority supporting the re-initiation of the Ethiopian War, a decision dictated by overseas trade.
Expanding in East Africa would increase Britannia’s influence in the Red Sea area and enhance our say in the Suez issue.
In case we someday fall out with France and Austria, they would still have the dignity to overturn the table and not be choked off.
The London Government’s efficiency was at its peak; just a day was spent from raising the issue to reaching a decision within the Cabinet.
Under normal circumstances, starting a war would take months of arguing, or even years without any outcome, but this was an exception.
The economic crisis waits for no one, and the Cabinet quickly unified, immediately submitting the motion to Parliament.
It goes without saying, it was passed with the utmost speed. There was no need for the government to impose upon the MPs, the capitalists were already restless.
A day earlier for war meant a day earlier out of the economic crisis.
The fall of the previous government was largely due to Gelson’s proposal: to divide influence through the Paris Conference before launching colonial wars.
This approach eliminated international pressure, but the Paris Conference wouldn’t end in a day or two. The economic crisis had already erupted, and the capitalists couldn’t wait that long.
In a certain sense, they were also tricked by Franz. Had the Vienna Government not triggered the crisis, it wouldn’t have erupted so soon.
Politicians must also have principles, especially after coming to power; political stances cannot be changed lightly. Capricious changes not only affect the government’s prestige but also sow public discontent.
The Gelson Cabinet made a judgment error by advocating post-Paris Conference colonial expansion before the economic crisis broke out.
In itself, it wasn’t a problem and had domestic approval. Unfortunately, as bad luck would have it, soon after the proposal, the economic crisis erupted.
To quickly overcome the economic crisis, external wars must be waged, necessitating a change of government.
The Benjamin Cabinet was full of the War Party, not because these individuals were inherently pro-war, but because reality demanded it.
On November 28, 1876, the British Parliament passed the motion to "Restart the Ethiopian War."
International public opinion was in an uproar, condemning the British. The action of the British delivered a heavy blow to the ongoing Paris Conference as well.
The world was in disarray again. Since the British could justify colonial warfare during the Paris Conference without a signed treaty, other European nations could now expand colonially during the conference as well.
Initially, everyone wanted to negotiate their spheres of influence and divide the remaining ownerless lands, but now we’ve returned to an era of might-makes-right.
