A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

society actually facilitated treaties with local indigenous leaders on behalf of the German
government. The DKG also played a role in domestic politics, lobbying in support of an
interventionist government policy. For example, the society supported the government
during the 1906 dissolution of the Reichstag over colonial scandals. The group
considered the opportunity “unusually favourable” for the election of more colonially-
minded legislators, given that colonialism would influence the election significantly. 50
By backing expansionist politicians, the DKG helped the government gain stronger
support in the Reichstag. Subsequently, the DKG contributed to a more right-wing and
nationalist Reichstag in 1906.
The DKG and its links to the government also assisted Germany’s commercial
businesses. The society was active in the promotion of German products in the colonies
and encouraged domestic purchase of farm, plantation and mining products from
Africa. 51 The lack of financial success in the colonies motivated the DKG to try to
stimulate ever-larger markets for colonial goods. 52 This was accomplished by educating
the population about German-African wares through colonial exhibitions and
publications.
The propaganda efforts of the DKG highlight the reciprocations within
deterritorialization. The DKG provides an example of the deterritorialization of
monopoly capital through social organizations. Stymied by perceived government
hesitation, commercial and nationalist groups coalesced into such organizations in order
to advance the economic and patriotic interests of colonialism. The DKG’s lobbying, its
propaganda, its stoutly nationalistic telegraph address of “Mutterland” and its
commercial focus denoted the flow of nationalistic and commercial desires from
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