Recaps

East Africa strengthened its economy, regional influence, and military while navigating conflicts in Europe and the Balkans. After Constantin’s death, Ernst led the empire toward neutrality, using trade and treaty provisions to protect its interests and expand its navy.

• The Hohenzollern Conglomerate and the Austro-Hungarian military reshaped the Neretva River downstream valley, while East African investment made Chinese residents the dominant group and developed Mostar and Ploče.
• Hagen warned Mostar’s officials that Serbia threatened the valley, and East African agents secretly organized a shadow government and moved weapons there as tensions rose between Germany and France.
• East Africa advanced rice research and economic reforms, promoted Central African cooperation under its leadership, and sought to preserve stability in the Huaihai Economic Zone.
• East African delegations pursued overseas investment and loans as foreign capital fueled industry, while Boka selected young villagers for training on new rice transplanters.
• The Luanda rescued Titanic survivors, and Ernst used the rescue to improve East Africa’s reputation before deciding to stay neutral in the Balkan conflict while selling arms and goods to the Ottoman Empire.
• After the Balkan League defeated the Ottomans and war broke out again over the division of Ottoman territory, Ernst backed Bulgaria but rejected German requests for military support and settled on neutrality.
• Constantin died in 1913, and Ernst took over state affairs as European powers watched East Africa’s policies.
• Merke briefed Ernst on East Africa’s large, well-equipped military, while Ernst used Japan’s naval expansion to justify growing the East African fleet beyond treaty limits.

After the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand sparked a European war, East Africa used its industrial and commercial strength to secure German colonies, expand its influence, and supply the Central Powers. The arc leaves East African fleets promoting trade and arms abroad while businesses pursue wartime profits.

• Bob and Li Laite tested radio sales, earned far more than factory wages, and resolved to grow their business.
• Gavrilo shot Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, but Juno subdued him and doctors saved the wounded archduke.
• Ernst warned Archduke Ferdinand that the assassination could bring Russia into a war and revealed East Africa’s preparations to supply the European powers.
• Franz chose to pressure Serbia before resorting to war, but Serbia rejected the ultimatum and Austria-Hungary declared war as other European powers entered the conflict.
• Wilhelm II approved selling Germany’s overseas territories to East Africa for war materials, and Ernst took control of German Central Africa and the Pacific islands.
• Potiorek hosted East African military observers, while East African officials prepared for instability in the Neretva region and Belgian refugees arrived in the Belgian Congo.
• East African businesses pursued opportunities in the Belgian Congo, while John Liar described the country’s shipping, industrial capacity, and arms trade with the Central Powers.
• The East African Navy sent a large fleet on a South American tour, and Rhodes and Paul discussed the profits and limits of Argentina’s wartime trade.

East Africa expanded its influence through Venezuela, the transfer of East Kalimantan, and plans for the Basra Railway while profiting from the European War and studying its battles. The arc left East African forces beginning to consolidate control over Samarinda and its surrounding population.

• Will responded to the La Dani Gang’s obstruction of the Maracaibo refinery project by sending a letter, and East African agents killed the gang’s leaders and 180 members.
• Ernst ordered East African officials to strengthen the country’s position around Lake Maracaibo through a German settlement and coordinated protection of its oil interests.
• Treller persuaded the Netherlands to transfer East Kalimantan to East Africa, and Ernst ordered its regimes subdued and its population Germanized.
• Friedrich received Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire’s proposal to build the Basra Railway, and Ernst agreed to support it in exchange for Ottoman coastal territory as collateral.
• East African observers studied the European War, while the 54th Division exposed a supply diversion, received reinforcements, and breached Belgrade’s defenses.
• Ernst directed East African capital toward overseas mineral investments as wartime steel exports rose.
• Clavier and Ariel began establishing a settlement at Samarinda, and Clavier ordered Anton to bring a nearby tribe and its supplies there by force if necessary.

East Africa expanded its trade routes and regional ambitions while preparing Dar es Salaam to host an international exposition. Foreign delegates toured the city and saw its industry and infrastructure, leaving the Far East Empire’s visitors considering what East Africa’s rise could teach them.

• East African forces suppressed resistance in Tanjong, destroyed its largest mosque, and arrested the Brunai Sultanate’s royal family and nobles as part of a wider campaign against former ruling classes.
• Friel negotiated wartime supplies with Thomson, offering France discounted secondhand ships and arranging purchases of horses, steel, vehicles, food, arms, and other goods.
• Ernst inspected the Eagle Strike, approved its successful aircraft trials, and discussed the role of carriers operating beyond battleship range with escorts.
• Ernst ordered the Basra Railway accelerated and advanced a plan for a Southern Hemisphere economic system centered on East Africa, while officials prepared Dar es Salaam and nearby cities to host the World Expo.
• East African officials welcomed Brazilian delegates and showed them Dar es Salaam’s roads, traffic, sanitation, transport, and industry, which the visitors compared favorably with Brazilian cities.
• Baster showed Howard Dar es Salaam’s power plant, sewage system, and aluminum smelter, prompting Howard to pursue direct trade agreements and discuss his Australian iron ore and other mineral resources.
• Chief Zhang and the Far East Empire delegation toured Dar es Salaam with Wang Hailong, who explained East Africa’s electrified railway, national grid, coal transport, and plans to develop Kasaï Province’s hydropower.