A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

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