Building a Conglomerate in Another World - Chapter 39 - But First, Learning the Geopolitics of the World

Ever since coming into this world, Matthew hadn’t known about foreign countries as he was busy with his prototype and the dreams that he’d want to turn into reality. Now he had his chance because he had thought about it.

He purchased a world map from a nearby bookstore and brought it with him in his office where he carefully unfurled the map.

Matthew’s gaze traveled across the sprawling map laid out before him. The crisp paper crackled slightly as he smoothed it out on his desk, his fingers tracing the borders of familiar yet altered lands. He couldn’t help but marvel at how this world, though similar to his own, diverged in fascinating ways.

The Grand Republic of Amerathian borders were strikingly similar to the United States he remembered from his previous life. The coastline, the vast stretch of land from the east to the west, all mirrored the America he once knew—save for the absence of Hawaii. There was no indication of islands in the Pacific under Amerathia’s control; it seemed their ambitions had remained focused on the mainland.

To the north, where Canada should have been, there lay the Kingdom of Ottowa. The name was unfamiliar, but the contours of the land were almost identical. The presence of a monarchy was intriguing, especially since he had expected a federation like the Canada of his world. From what Matthew could infer, the Kingdom of Ottowa might have emerged after a successful revolution against its colonial rulers, possibly the British or French. However, the lack of concrete details made it clear that he’d need to gather more information before making any assumptions about their political structure or foreign policies.

His eyes drifted southward, and he noted the nation labeled United States of Mexico. The name suggested a twist in history—perhaps a more unified republic or federation than the Mexico he once knew. What caused this divergence? He had no idea, but it was clear that this Mexico had maintained its independence and perhaps even grown more powerful. As for the current relations between the Grand Republic of Amerathia and its neighbors to the north and south, Matthew was operating in the dark. He made a mental note to look into diplomatic reports or find contacts who could give him insights into the geopolitical dynamics of the region.

Turning his attention to the old world, Matthew’s eyes swept across Europe. The borders were strikingly similar to the pre-World War I map he remembered. The Austro-Hungarian Empire still sprawled across Central Europe, Germany remained a unified empire, and the Ottoman Empire retained its grip on southeastern Europe. Yet, despite the familiar borders, he couldn’t be certain if the same historical events had led to their formation. Were these nations locked in the same rivalries? Did they possess the same ambitions? Only time would tell.

However, it was Asia that truly captivated his attention. Unlike in his previous world, where European powers had carved up the continent, leaving it riddled with colonies and spheres of influence, this world seemed to have taken a different path. The major powers—India, China, Japan, and Korea—appeared to be independent, their borders free of foreign control. There were no signs of the British Raj dominating India, nor did there seem to be European concessions dotting the coastlines of China. Even Southeast Asia, which had been a battleground for colonial interests, appeared largely autonomous.

What had caused this shift? Matthew wondered. Perhaps in this world, the Asian powers had managed to resist colonial encroachment, uniting earlier or leveraging their resources to fend off European imperialism. Or maybe a different series of events had unfolded, leading to a world where these nations had maintained their sovereignty.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the desk. This revelation opened up new possibilities—and new risks. If the Asian nations were truly independent and not weakened by colonial rule, they could be formidable competitors or potential allies. Trade routes, resources, and alliances in this world would not follow the patterns he was familiar with.

He needed more information, reliable contacts, and perhaps even a diplomatic mission to these nations to understand their intentions and potential. But one thing was clear—if he wanted Hesh Industries Corporation to grow beyond Amerathia, understanding the global landscape was crucial.

For now, however, he would focus on gathering intelligence. He needed maps, books, reports—anything that could shed light on this world’s geopolitical history. He would reach out to scholars, diplomats, and anyone who could provide insights into these foreign lands.

Without wasting any time, Matthew decided that he needed answers and the best place to find them would be the town’s largest library. Grabbing his coat and hat, he made his way through the bustling streets of Sylvania.

The library was a grand building, its stone facade weathered but still imposing. He hurried up the steps and pushed through the heavy wooden doors, the scent of old books and polished wood welcoming him. The librarian gave him a curious look as he approached the front desk, but he simply nodded politely before making his way to the history section.

Matthew spent hours poring over dusty volumes, maps, and historical texts. He filled pages of his notebook with observations, piecing together the puzzle of this world’s history. The deeper he dug, the more he realized just how different—yet intriguingly similar—this world was to his own, and this is what he discovered.

In this world, Canada never fully united under British rule. Instead, after a series of conflicts in the early 1800s, the region that should have been Canada fractured into several territories. The French-speaking territories in the east united to form the Kingdom of Ottowa, a constitutional monarchy that declared independence after a successful revolution against British colonial forces in the mid-19th century. The British, distracted by other colonial conflicts and a brewing war in Europe, reluctantly accepted Ottowa’s sovereignty to avoid further losses.

Ottowa’s strategic use of alliances with native tribes and their adaptation of European military tactics allowed them to resist colonial control more effectively than in Matthew’s original world. Today, Ottowa maintains a cautious but cordial relationship with its southern neighbor, the Grand Republic of Amerathia, with both nations vying for influence over trade routes and natural resources.

The United States of Mexico was born out of the ashes of multiple failed attempts by Spain to reconquer its former colony. After the Mexican War of Independence, rather than becoming a centralized republic, Mexico adopted a federal system similar to Amerathia, with strong states united under a weaker central government. However, unlike the Mexico Matthew knew, this version had managed to avoid civil war and territorial loss.

Key to this stability was an alliance with indigenous leaders and the establishment of a powerful navy that deterred American and European encroachments. The country is now a formidable regional power, with a focus on industrializing its economy while maintaining strong ties to other Latin American nations. The relationship between Amerathia and Mexico is tense but stable, with occasional disputes over border territories and trade policies.

Europe remained largely unchanged from what Matthew remembered of the pre-World War I era, but with some intriguing twists. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was still intact, though there were rumblings of discontent from various ethnic groups seeking autonomy. The German Empire was a powerful industrial force, having unified earlier under the leadership of a charismatic Kaiser who focused on diplomatic ties with the Ottomans to secure oil supplies from the Middle East.

What caught Matthew’s eye, however, was the survival of the Ottoman Empire. Instead of being the “sick man of Europe,” the Ottomans had modernized their military and administration with the help of German advisers. This had allowed them to maintain control over key territories in the Balkans and the Middle East. Matthew wondered if this stronger Ottoman presence would lead to a different outcome in global politics.

The most significant divergence lay in Asia. In this world, India had successfully resisted British colonization after a series of rebellions in the 1850s. The country was unified under a loose confederation of princely states that maintained their independence while coordinating on matters of trade and defense. This had allowed India to modernize and become a formidable power in its own right, free from European dominance.

China, meanwhile, had avoided the “century of humiliation” thanks to the early rise of reformist leaders who strengthened the Qing dynasty’s military and opened limited trade with foreign powers on their own terms. Japan had still undergone its Meiji Restoration but had done so without external pressure, making it an even more cohesive and disciplined society.

The most surprising discovery was Korea, which in this world had managed to fend off both Chinese and Japanese influences. It had modernized its army and established a strong navy, becoming a powerful regional player in East Asia. Southeast Asia was a patchwork of independent kingdoms that had managed to resist colonial rule by playing European powers against each other.

Africa was still largely colonized by European powers, but there were signs that this world’s colonial ventures had not gone as smoothly. Native resistance had been fiercer and more organized, with several regions—most notably Ethiopia and parts of West Africa—maintaining their independence. European powers were stretched thin, facing rising discontent both at home and in their colonies.

So to summarize briefly, he was in a world where the Western influences are weak globally. This is going to be problematic as he wouldn’t be able to use his white man privilege, which is significant in this era. But one thing is certain, in terms of economy and industry, the Grand Republic of Amerathia. is the leading nation of it.

That should be enough for him.