A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
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that the colonial expansion was not necessarily a departure from Bismarck’s<br />
opportunistic approach to foreign and domestic politics.<br />
Given <strong>German</strong>y's recent consolidation as a nation-state and the recent recession, it<br />
is at first glance very strange that in early 1884 Bismarck would suddenly agree to<br />
establish a protectorate over the tiny hamlet of Angra Pequeña on the southwest coast of<br />
Africa. 43 One reason Bismarck’s move is odd is that <strong>German</strong> taxpayers were reluctant to<br />
fund overseas expenditures. Furthermore, <strong>German</strong> public opinion on the colonial issue<br />
was an unknown variable and could potentially have problematized the expansion<br />
greatly. Similarly, the impact of a colonial policy in European diplomacy could also have<br />
been negative if the great powers took exception to <strong>German</strong>y participating in the<br />
“scramble for Africa.” 44 Logistical problems such as the question of whether or not the<br />
<strong>German</strong> bureaucracy could expand to administer the colonies also cast doubts upon the<br />
viability of the acquisitions. Finally, the protection and control of African colonies with<br />
<strong>German</strong>y's hitherto continental army and inconsequential navy seemed to indicate<br />
intractable difficulties.<br />
The reconciliation of these problems reveals much about contemporary <strong>German</strong>y.<br />
For as much as <strong>German</strong>y did not appear ready to accept a colonial policy, there were<br />
signs in 1884 that a colonial expansion was both desirable and possible. In 1884 the<br />
circumstances in Europe seemed to favour a <strong>German</strong> land-grab since European<br />
diplomacy was placid. 45 Additionally, fears of repeated recessions fostered the idea that<br />
colonies could provide a way out of cyclical depressions and economic isolationism. In<br />
this respect, the Young Historical School of economics and its demands for foreign<br />
markets found resonance in the economic policies of the government. 46 Government was<br />
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