Chapter 150: Investment and Instigation
Europe's shifting political winds temporarily can't affect the steady development of the East African colony, and Leopold's dilemma with France and Prussia will remain tied up for quite some time, so no outcome will appear this year. However, Ernst knows that for Leopold, the Spanish throne is just a mirage. That's all for the best—Amadeo I from Italy's House of Savoy will eventually show that the throne is a hot potato indeed.
Amadeo I nearly repeated the fates of Charles I (of England) or France's Louis XVI. But he was more flexible: upon arriving in Madrid, he realized he lacked the ability to resolve Spain's problems. So in 1873, Amadeo I voluntarily abdicated, returning to Italy, resuming his title as the Duke of Aosta.
Though the Spanish throne appears grand, it truly isn't. There are countless factions within Spain, as well as foreign powers interfering. History later proved that a republic couldn't save Spain. Even after two world wars and roundabout changes, Spain ended up returning to monarchy.
Hence, the House of Hechingen certainly took some action: while everyone else was focused on Spain's affairs, Hechingen's people traveled to Paris to connect with the future Spanish king, Alfonso XII. Adding brilliance to success is never as touching as providing help in adversity—especially for Alfonso XII, who was implicated through his mother, the former Queen of Spain (Isabel II).
Of course, mother and son had a close bond. Alfonso XII merely harbors hatred for Spain's rebels. In fact, the reformist General Juan Prim had already launched a failed coup in 1866; in 1868, Prim's return finally succeeded.
October 16, 1868.
Paris.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Prince, I represent the House of Hechingen to express our sympathy. Our Prince and Prince's son have both stated that these rebels will surely come to no good end," Tom declared on behalf of Hechingen to the mother and child in Paris.
The former Queen of Spain said, "We appreciate your country's support. Neither I nor Alfonso—on behalf of the House of Bourbon and the Spanish people—will forget your friendship."
Although she was indeed the former queen, Isabel II had not relinquished her claim, providing the legal foundation for Alfonso XII's eventual restoration—once Spain's loyalists regrouped to welcome back the prince in a triumphant coronation.
"This is but a small token from the House of Hechingen. As a state, Hechingen itself is long overshadowed, so all we can offer is a modest gift. We ask that Her Majesty and His Highness not disdain it." With these words, Tom presented a box.
Isabel II understood that the box surely contained money and let her butler accept it. Then she said, "Alfonso, remember who our true friends are during these times, and who merely piles on when we're down—understand?"
"Yes, Mother. We of the House of Bourbon won't forget those who truly stand by us," replied the still-young Alfonso XII.
In truth, the mother and child were not exactly destitute. The Bourbon family still carried substantial influence as one of the three main branches of French monarchism, so it retained political weight in Europe. But they had indeed lost the Spanish throne for now, so many former sycophants scattered or even joined the enemy. Meanwhile, a relatively unknown German princely family like Hechingen turning up to offer its condolences was naturally quite moving to them both.
"These Spanish people are just temporarily deceived. If not for the Americans continuously undercutting Spain's strength overseas, Spain would never have fallen to this low point. We all know the country's economic problems stem from losing its overseas interests, so those traitors at home are only worthless scoundrels who can't bully America and resort to turning on their own. They're nothing but a pack of rebels," Tom said, following his prince's orders to sow mistrust.
"Precisely," Isabel II responded. "All these years, the Americans have roamed throughout the Americas, coveting Spanish territories. That's the fundamental reason Spain's economy collapsed."
As a ruler, Isabel II has little self-awareness, but with someone presenting a scapegoat, she quickly placed the blame for everything on the Americans. America itself wouldn't bother to deny it—Cuba, the Philippines, Argentina, Mexico… The Spanish colonies of the past…
Indeed, on October 10, 1868, under the leadership of some white elites, the Grito de Yara rose in Cuba. That island boasted a multiethnic population of Blacks, whites, even some Chinese, with funding sources self-evident. Though this uprising didn't succeed, it kindled the spark for Cuban independence. Isabel II and her son, having lost the throne, were naturally oblivious; they'd lost their main seat, so who could care about an overseas island—even if it was Spain's most valuable colony?
Ernst, of course, didn't mind giving the mother and son some "international perspective." Tom continued, "Only a few days ago, an uprising broke out in Cuba. They picked the perfect time: revolt at home in Spain, then unrest in Cuba, all within a fortnight. It's hard not to see a connection between the two, because how can we miss the coincidence? If they wanted trouble, why now, except for outside manipulation? The real backers behind them are clearly…"
"Hmph! A pack of petty scoundrels indeed! Obviously, they aim to destroy Spain. I suspected they were up to no good, but I never expected they'd collude with Spain's enemy (the United States)," Isabel II said through clenched teeth.
Her youthful Alfonso was even more indignant, feeling justice was served. Now he saw proof that the rebels were financed by the Americans. Conspiracy theories have a unique way of quickly winning adherents. They need no real evidence, just suspicions. The mother and child both saw the U.S. as the biggest suspect. With the conflict of interests between Spain and the U.S., plus the ideological difference—republic vs. monarchy—makes the Americans prime suspects.
From a historical viewpoint, if the United States inherited the world-power mantle from Britain, it was indeed built partly upon the wreckage of Spain's expansive colonies. Although Spain's own governance was deeply flawed, the Americans stirring up trouble from the sidelines was all the more deplorable.
Moreover, ever since Napoleon III's restoration in France, to Europe's monarchs the U.S. symbolized a "reactionary" (Republican) epicenter. All sorts of anti-government activists found refuge there. For instance, the telephone-patent holder Antonio Meucci, who once hosted Italy's Garibaldi for three years. In shorter historical terms, Ernst's father-in-law, Maximilian I, was among those hurt. Everyone knew who had supported the Mexican rebels. By the time the Civil War ended, the U.S. was funneling aid to the anti-Habsburg forces until Maximilian I was overthrown.
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