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