Expansion in the Industrial Age - Germany

EXPANSION IN THE INDUSTRIAL AGE HIST 1301 | History Germany Complicating historical, political, and economic circumstances led to Germany's late 19thcentury involvement into the race for colonies. The German-speaking lands were divided into a number of nations and kingdoms before 1871, and they lacked the financial and military might to form colonies elsewhere. Following Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's unification of Germany in 1871, the country still lacked a strong navy that could maintain and protect its far-flung colonial interests. At first, Bismarck was dubious about colonial expansion and thought it would be expensive and ultimately pointless. But by the 1880s, public pressure, commercial interests, and geopolitical factors had all combined to bring about a change in mindset. Initially, Bismarck's main goal was to establish a powerful, unified German state in order to increase Germany's influence across Europe. An important turning point in this endeavour was the establishment of the German Empire in 1871, although Bismarck was hesitant to project German power beyond of continental Europe. He was aware of Germany's naval constraints as well as the possible dangers of colonial endeavours, which may cause confrontations with other colonial powers and take resources away from domestic objectives. Still, the course of the 1880s saw a dramatic change in Germany's economic environment. The country's economy grew quickly and industrialised, which fueled the expansion of its trade networks and merchant fleet. German traders were more and more drawn to foreign markets and business prospects, especially in Africa, where unexplored resources and prospective commercial partners awaited them. Pressure to reevaluate his views on colonialism came from the growing economic interest in other lands. At the same time, a rising chorus of voices in German society began to advocate for imperial expansion as a way to boost the country's standing and maintain Germany's position as a major power in the world. The European colonial wave that was spreading over Africa and Asia made Germany feel even more pressure to assert its colonial claims before competitor countries like France and Britain completely seized them. In reaction to these changing circumstances, Bismarck progressively came to terms with his hostility to colonialism and started to consider the possibility of Germany gaining possession of other lands. He saw the potential advantages of colonial territories in terms of promoting trade, obtaining vital resources, and projecting German authority internationally, even though he was still wary. Furthermore, Bismarck was well aware of the political benefits that might be obtained domestically by promoting colonial development, which attracted public support and deflected attention from internal conflicts. Germany took use of the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885, which established the political framework for the division of Africa among the European colonial powers, to further its colonial aspirations on the continent. Germany claimed territory in East Africa (including German East Africa, which included modern-day Rwanda, Burundi, and portions of Tanzania) as well as West Africa (such as Togoland and German Cameroon) through a succession of treaties, concessions, and military operations. Germany took control of the region that would eventually become Namibia in Southwest Africa. Germany's foreign policy underwent a dramatic shift with the acquisition of these colonial holdings, indicating that it was now a colonial power comparable to its competitors in Europe. But the quest for dominion also brought with it a unique set of difficulties and disputes. German colonial control in Africa was characterised by resource depletion, brutality, and resistance from native people, which resulted in wars and upheavals that damaged Germany's standing abroad and taxed her resources. In summary, a confluence of historical factors, economic considerations, and evolving political calculations influenced Germany's belated foray into the race for colonies. Despite his early reluctance, Bismarck eventually came to support colonialism as a result of the demands of great power politics in the late 19th century as well as the shifting conditions in German society. A new era in the history of the country was ushered in with the founding of Germany's colonial empire in Africa, which had profound effects on its goals for imperialism, foreign policy, and internal politics.