German Imperialism Essay Example For Students

German Imperialism Essay The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries encouraged many different nations to become involved in colonialism. In this time period, competing European powers carved up the continent of Africa between themselves, due to a variety of political and economic motives. Generally, these powers benefited from these land acquisitions. However, Germany’s neo-imperialist experience was unlike that of the other powers. Within the colony of Namibia, located in South West Africa, the real advantages that Germany received were far outweighed by the disadvantages the German empire faced. Although Germany received elevated political status from occupying colonies, the economic and military efforts that were invested in maintaining and obtaining its colony of Namibia could not justify this elevated political position. Through the means of imperialism, Germany hoped that it would consolidate its position as an international power. This would be done by strengthening the German economy, spreading German influence, and gaining political status. Firstly, between 1875 and 1914, holding a large colonial empire was a symbol of national prestige. At the time, acquiring colonies was a symbol of status, and the greatness of a colony was measured in colonial possession (Cowie 1986, p48). For Germany, as an emerging power, colonial acquisition was therefore seen to be of paramount importance. If Germany wanted to be compared to the other major powers such as Britain and France, she would have to control an impressive colonial empire. During this time period, the â€Å"Kaiser Wilhelm I and his government demanded that Germany be given equal status with France and the United Kingdom, including in colonial possessions,† (Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopaedia, 2005). The Kaiser clearly outlines that Germany desired an elevated political status. But in order for Germany to be recognised as an influential state, it must first have an impressive portfolio of colonies. Hence, Germany desired to accomplish an increase in national prestige through the possession of colonies. Secondly, Germany was persuaded into colonialism by the possibility of an increase in her international power and influence. As Schuller states: â€Å"Many of Germany’s ideas on imperialism were inspired by France and Britain It seemed logical to seem that colonies were a good idea, because these two powers had them. A simple thought resulted; if Germany had colonies, it too would be as dominant as France and Britain Colonisation would prove Germany to be a force to be reckoned with. † (Schuller, 2006) As Germany was trying to emulate France and Britain’s success, it seemed valid to think that the same process of colonial expansion could be applied to Germany’s case. Following the examples of Britain and France, all Germany had to do was acquire a large colonial empire, and she would have the same amount of power and influence that the other powers enjoyed. The lure of being able to rival magnificent powers such as Britain and France proved to be too much for Germany to resist. The possibility of international greatness was one of the contributing factors that convinced Germany to become imperialist. Thirdly, Germany was enticed into imperialism by the possibility of economic gains in Africa. During the time period, many other countries were exploiting Africa’s natural resources for a healthy profit. A German political analyst of the time Freidrich Fabri states â€Å"Colonies will have a salutary effect on our economic situation, as well as our entire national progress† (Fabri 1987). Although this statement may have been flase, Fabri, along with many other authors thought that colonising areas of Africa would not only establish Germany as a political power, but also return great profits for Germany. This belief was all that was needed to convince the German government to colonise. This opinion can also be seen in the German public, as one source states that â€Å"German settlers were eager to come to south-east Africa, as they were seeking economic possibilities outside Europe,† (A Rosenberg, 2008). This shows that there was support from Germans to colonise Africa not just for political gain, but for economic interest as well. Germany was motivated into imperialism by economic opportunities, being recognised as a political power with an increase of international status, and being able to exercise the power and influence that would come with colonies. Germany’s imperialist experience in Namibia came with several advantages. These advantages were of a political and economic nature. Benefits experienced included an increase of trade with other powers, an increased amount of political influence, and the control over valuable resources in South West Africa. Firstly, Namibia contained many valuable resources, which Germany had control over. Resources in Namibia included diamonds, rubber plantations, copper, lead and gold (Unknown Author, 2004). This stockpile of valuable resources meant that Germany could make massive profits if the correct steps were taken. Out of all of these commodities, not only is diamond the most valuable, but it was the most abundant in South West Africa. Beloved 2 EssayThe lack of German staff, and therefore a lack of German authority inevitably led to indigenous uprisings in Namibia. This shortage of German staff also meant that the colonisers could not protect themselves from the tribal warriors, and were forced to retreat to British territory. Not only did this mean that Germany momentarily lost control of the colony, but Germany also experienced great embarrassment because of the incident. Germany’s colonial experience was riddled with economic disadvantages like a lack of staff, taking too long to exploit the colonies resources and insufficient capital, but this was not the end of Germany’s problems in Namibia. As well as the numerous economic weaknesses in the colony of Namibia, Germany also suffered when maintaining and obtaining the colony. The German government was constantly defeating uprisings from the native tribes, who were outraged by the brutality and exploitation that was forced upon them. The tribe which was involved in the most conflicts was the Herero tribe. In 1904, on the eve of the greatest Herero uprising, the chief of the tribe wrote: If we rebel, we will be annihilated in battle since our people are practically unarmed and without ammunition, but the cruelty and injustice of the Germans have driven us to despair and our leaders and our people both feel that death has lost its terrors because of the conditions under which we now live. (Maherero, 1904, Quoted by Rosenberg, 2008) The chief of the Herero tribe expresses not only his, but the emotions of his whole tribe towards the German invaders. As he is the leader of the tribe opposing Germany, it is possible that he may have exaggerated the situation in order to motivate his warriors. Due to his bias against the Germans facts may have been supported and others omitted to support the chief’s argument. He states that even though his people do not have a fighting chance against the Germans, it is still necessary to rebel because of the agony that his people have gone through. Over the next few months, the uprising was successful as the Germans were caught by surprise, and were not ready for war (Rosenberg, 2008). This early success in the Herero’s campaign against the Germans was a fleeting moment of victory. The Germans were on the back foot – losing a war to a primitive African tribe, which bought great humiliation on the emerging power. This humiliation overshadowed the prestige that Germany had previously gained from occupying colonies in Africa. However, the Herero tribe’s success was short-lived. The new German General in Namibia saw that the only path to victory was the compete annihilation of the Herero tribe, and issued his extermination order to spare no Herero (Rosenberg, 2008). Even for the time, this was an extremely barbaric solution to the problem that German authorities faced. Not only was the genocide of the Herero people socially unacceptable, but it was also a violation of basic human rights. Out of the Herero population of 80 000, it is estimated that only 16 000 survived the genocide (Rosenberg, 2008). Germany thought that it was necessary to eliminate this whole tribe in order to be unchallenged in Namibia. This shows how difficult it was for Germany to gain control and maintain its colony in South West Africa. Germany also struggled to defeat a second native tribe. Over the two years after Germany defeated the Herero tribe, the Nama tribe fought a fierce guerrilla was which the Germans were unable to pacify (Rosenberg, 2008). This style of warfare was particularly effective against the German invaders, and Germany received many casualties during this war. This guerrilla war shows how determined the natives were to be free from foreign control, and the lengths that they would go to to hinder German progress. The process of obtaining control of Namibia was extremely difficult for Germany, as they were involved in many conflicts with the native peoples. In conclusion, the benefits that Germany received throughout its imperialist experience could not justify the difficulties that it faced as a nation. Germany was motivated into imperialism by the possibility of increased political and economic power, but the military and economic disadvantages experienced far outweighed the small amounts of profit and political influence that was achieved throughout the campaign. Germany’s showed severe aggression and cruelty in its occupation of Namibia, but still had nothing to show by the end of its occupation in Africa.