Chapter 1442 - 16: Rudolph’s Population Plan_3

Chapter 1442: Chapter 16: Rudolph’s Population Plan_3

Due to economic development, the birth rate of Germans within the Austria-Hungary Empire is relatively low, while the mixed-blood Germans in Dalmatia have a very high birth rate. Apart from being influenced by traditional thinking from the Far East Empire, the main reason is that the economic level of Dalmatia is not high.

After all, the basic conditions of the Dalmatian Kingdom are very poor. If it weren’t for the initial investment from East Africa, even the current meager amount of industry wouldn’t exist.

Rudolph continued, "Although East Africa’s actions at the time were despicable, I must say that the high birth rate of mixed-blood Germans is something I find quite enviable."

"If the traditional German community within the Empire could achieve such a high birth rate, I would not need to worry so much about the issue of the dominant ethnic group."

The mixed-blood Germans in the Dalmatian Kingdom, as outsiders, managed to develop to nearly one million people within decades, becoming the dominant ethnic group in the Dalmatian region. This is almost a miracle.

If the Germans of Austria-Hungary had this realization, the number of Germans in the Empire would have increased several times over. Even if it doubled, the German population within Austria-Hungary could reach over 20 million, knowing that the current total population of the Empire is only over 50 million.

However, it is the native Germans, who live with better quality of life, whose birth rate cannot surpass Hungarians and Slavs.

Conrad said, "Population growth always has its limits, after all, the Dalmatian Kingdom is only so small."

Not only did Conrad’s words fail to convince Rudolph, but they also made Rudolph’s eyes light up with a new idea.

He said, "Since the mixed-blood Germans in Dalmatia are so prolific, we should definitely encourage this situation. At the same time, we support these mixed-blood Germans to settle in Venice, Croatia, and Bosnia through various policies."

Rudolph placed Venice first because it is currently the region with the most hope for Germanization and is strategically and economically very valuable.

Venice is the connection between Austria and the Adriatic Sea. Just considering the issue of access to the sea, Rudolph hopes Venice could become a part of Austria.

Moreover, integrating Venice has the benefit of solving Venice’s own poor birth rate, especially since the local population was heavily impacted.

During the Italo-Austrian War, many Italians from Venice emigrated overseas to avoid the war, which significantly reduced Venice’s native population.

Despite Venice’s geographical advantages and consistently strong economic standing within Austria-Hungary, its birth rate hasn’t improved much, although the Empire inherently doesn’t want Italians in Venice to have high birth rates.

Rudolph stated, "We can completely turn Dalmatia into a German birth base, then continuously encourage and support locals to settle in Venice. In this way, the German-speaking population of Venice would increase further."

"Gradually replacing Italians, becoming the new dominant ethnic group in Venice, not only promotes population integration but also solidifies our rule over Venice, preventing this crucial outlet to the sea from being taken by Italians again."

With the painful lesson of losing Venice last century, Rudolph naturally does not want history to repeat itself, and the Austrian government has always prohibited residents from the Italian peninsula from smuggling and migrating to Venice.

Upon hearing Crown Prince Rudolph’s bold plan, Conrad did not oppose it but instead thoughtfully considered its feasibility, as fundamentally, Rudolph’s plan really does have potential.