A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

Yet, while there was much association between colonial commerce and the
government, there were also many instances of discord. While companies frequently
collaborated with the government, the relationship was a parasitical one where companies
looked to their own interests almost entirely, expanding when they could and
consolidating their possessions when circumstances did not allow growth. Therefore,
banks and large commercial enterprises did not determine colonial policy, despite
Marxist assertions. True, some heavy industrial concerns endorsed expansionist
sentiment in the interests of expected profits, as Eckart Kehr and Wilhelm Deist argue,
but a comprehensive capitalist conspiracy is not evident. 16 Though Müller asserts that
irrespective of quiet or unrest in the colonies, finance-capital always benefited, this
assertion is clearly mistaken. 17 Although the German colonies were permeated with
commercial companies and interests, the economics of the colonial business were poor.
For instance, the DKG für Südwestafrika reported consistently poor profits, only
achieving positive results in rare years. 18 In fact, some of the best profits were achieved
in early years such as 1885. This was largely the result of the years of strife that led to
steady falls in net gains; for example, profits in Southwest Africa in 1904 were less than
those of 1900. 19 As well, contemporary German tariff policy undermined the profits that
could accrue from colonial exports. Other government regulations also made it difficult
for companies to participate in the commercial expansion in the colonies. 20
Assertions of conspiracies between the companies and the imperial government
are further called into question by the numerous ways in which the companies took
advantage of the German government. The legitimacy of Lüderitz’s appeal for Reich
protection was undermined by the fact that he fabricated mineral and commercial wealth
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