The Rise of German empire

Oscar's rise in the world of industry had been swift and decisive. With the establishment of Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company, his empire of innovation and progress was growing at a staggering pace. In just a few months, his company had acquired all the patents for Diesel's groundbreaking engine technology, and a significant investment of twenty million marks was being poured into the creation of a state-of-the-art research and development center in Augsburg. The company's mission was clear: to build highly reliable diesel engines, not just for civilian use, but for military applications—an essential step towards making Germany a dominant force on both land and sea.

In addition to the Diesel Engine Division, Deutsche Engine Manufacturing Company also housed the Steam Turbine Division and the Gasoline Engine Division, with plans to establish an Aero-Engine Division in the future. By controlling all aspects of engine technology—whether for tanks, battleships, or aircraft—Oscar was preparing Germany for the coming era of mechanized warfare. His company would ensure that Germany was not just part of the race for military supremacy but would lead it, setting the stage for a new age of technological warfare.

The changes in Germany under Oscar's influence were already beginning to ripple through society. Deutsche Shipyard, where Oscar had invested heavily, was undergoing a massive expansion, its long-established operations transforming under the weight of new technologies and capital. The once modest shipyard was now poised to produce the most advanced battleships the world had ever seen. Meanwhile, his team of engineers worked tirelessly on the Curtis steam turbine technology acquired from the United States, hoping to develop a large-scale steam turbine suitable for naval ships—a project that, once completed, would give Germany's navy the ability to outpace its rivals.

Although Oscar's career was flourishing, he knew that his influence on Germany and the world was still in its infancy. There were battles ahead, both technological and geopolitical, that would determine the future. His role was clear: to shape the destiny of Germany and ensure its strength in the coming global conflicts. But he also understood that history was a force not easily swayed. Germany's trajectory, its very survival in the face of rising tensions, was far from certain.

The winds of change, however, were already stirring across Europe, and Germany was on the verge of a diplomatic crisis that threatened to pull the entire continent into conflict.

The summer of 1905 found Germany at the center of a brewing international crisis, one that threatened to test its strength on the global stage. The issue was Morocco—a country in North Africa that had long been a source of contention among European powers. Since the 15th century, Morocco had been under pressure from Western nations eager to expand their influence in the region, and by the early 20th century, the political landscape in Morocco had become increasingly chaotic.

In 1904, Britain and France had signed a secret agreement that recognized Morocco as France's sphere of influence, an act that directly contravened German interests in the region. Germany had invested heavily in Morocco, both economically and politically, and now France's moves to turn Morocco into a protectorate were seen as a direct challenge to German sovereignty.

Germany's response came quickly. In early 1905, the German Empire sent a strong message to France, and on March 31, Kaiser Wilhelm II himself visited the Moroccan city of Tangier, declaring that Germany would not allow Morocco to fall under the control of any foreign power. He announced that Morocco's independence would be upheld and that all nations would enjoy equal rights in the country. It was a bold move—one that threw the fragile balance of European diplomacy into turmoil.

The tension escalated when German Foreign Minister von Bülow, following the Kaiser's declaration, called for an international conference to address the situation, invoking the principles of the 1880 Madrid Treaty, which had granted foreign nations equal rights to trade in Morocco. The French government, led by Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé, rejected the German challenge, supported by Britain, leading to an impasse that threatened to erupt into a full-blown diplomatic crisis.

By June, the situation had become even more fraught. In a tense cabinet meeting, Delcassé was forced to resign under pressure, and the French government, now led by Prime Minister M. Rouvier, continued its negotiations with Germany. On July 8, an agreement was reached to hold an international conference to discuss Morocco's future. But despite this diplomatic victory, Germany found itself in a weakened position—its demands for Moroccan sovereignty had been undermined, and France had successfully secured the support of Britain.

In Germany, the sense of national humiliation was palpable. Kaiser Wilhelm II and his ministers were deeply dissatisfied with the outcome, but it was Crown Prince Wilhelm who voiced the anger that was simmering throughout the country. The people were furious, and the military was equally discontented. For many Germans, the loss of Morocco was not just a diplomatic defeat—it was a blow to the very notion of the empire's prestige and power.

In the royal palace, an imperial meeting was called to address the crisis. Kaiser Wilhelm II sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his closest advisers: Prime Minister von Bülow, Foreign Minister von Kidrun Wachter, Chief of the General Staff Moltke, Minister of War von Falkenhain, Minister of the Navy Tirpitz, and Crown Prince Wilhelm. The atmosphere was tense, as the fate of Germany's standing in the world was discussed in hushed tones.

"I can't believe we've let this happen," Crown Prince Wilhelm said, his voice thick with emotion. "The French have trampled over our interests in Morocco, and we've done nothing but compromise. It's time for us to show strength. We must use our military power to make France retreat. If we don't, we risk losing everything."

His words struck a chord with the military leaders in the room, who were eager for action. The people, too, were growing restless, and many saw war as the only way to reclaim Germany's honor and restore its pride.

Prime Minister von Bülow and the others exchanged uneasy glances. They understood the implications of war, but they also knew that the situation was fragile. Diplomatic failure could easily lead to a broader conflict, one that would engulf Europe and beyond.

Oscar, despite his growing influence in Germany's industrial sector, had not yet earned the right to attend such high-level meetings. Still, his eyes and ears were everywhere. Word of the crisis had reached him, and he knew that the delicate balance of power in Europe could be shattered at any moment. Though he had built an empire of innovation, he also understood the importance of diplomacy and military power. The coming months would test his abilities not just as an industrialist, but as a strategist and a leader.

As the meeting in the imperial palace continued, the seeds of a global conflict were being sown. The fate of Morocco, and of Germany itself, now rested in the hands of men like Wilhelm II and Crown Prince Wilhelm. Whether they chose diplomacy or war would determine the future of the empire—and, perhaps, the future of Europe itself.