# data[].attributes.body
The term imperialism is derived from the Latin words imperare ("to rule") and imperium ("empire"). Imperialism itself describes a state's desire to expand. The goal of the state is to expand its economic, military and political sphere of power and influence in order to achieve supremacy. Imperialism can manifest in various forms e.g. colonialism.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bismarcks view on colonies (summarised) (1879–1890)

# data[].attributes.subject
Bismarcks view on colonies (summarised) (1879–1890)

# data[].attributes.body
During the German Empire, there was a shift in colonial affairs from Bismarck to Wilhelm II. Bismarck initially opposed acquiring colonies due to cost and diplomatic complications. Germany lacked naval power for maintaining an empire. However, in the early 1880s, German merchants established their own colonies, which Bismarck declared as protectorates. This marked the beginning of German imperialism. Bismarck viewed the colonies as trading bases, while the German Colonial Society saw them as extensions of German territory. Wilhelm II would later pursue a more assertive colonial policy.

# data[].attributes.headline
Wilhelm II. shift in colonial affairs (summarised) (1888–1918)

# data[].attributes.subject
Wilhelm II. shift in colonial affairs (summarised) (1888–1918)

# data[].attributes.body
Wilhelm II's ascension to the throne in 1888 marked a significant shift in German colonial politics. He pursued aggressive colonial expansion to establish Germany as a global power and achieve prestige. He adopted a policy of "Weltpolitik" to elevate Germany's influence on the world stage. Wilhelm II aimed to rival Britain and France by creating a vast colonial empire, emphasizing strategic importance, resource access, and promoting German cultural superiority. However, Germany's acquisitions were limited compared to his predecessor, mainly Qingdao, a delegation in Tianjin, and Pacific islands. Germany's late entry into colonialism created conflicts with other nations and strained resources, diverting attention from domestic needs and contributing to growing tensions in Europe.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Colonial expansion as manifestation of militarism

# data[].attributes.body
The term "Weltpolitik" encapsulates Wilhelmine Germany's imperialist foreign policy under Wilhelm II, reflecting aspirations to establish global influence and equality among great powers. Wilhelm II articulated this ambition, emphasizing that significant decisions should not be made globally without Germany's involvement. While the pursuit of colonies began during Bismarck's era in 1884-1885, it played a subordinate role as Bismarck maintained a Eurocentric focus. It was under Wilhelm II that Weltpolitik became more ambitious, replacing Bismarck's approach and marking a shift towards a more global perspective in German foreign policy.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bismarcks view on the colonial matter (detailed)

# data[].attributes.subject
Bismarcks view on the colonial matter (detailed)

# data[].attributes.body
The standpoint of colonial affairs underwent a significant shift from Otto von Bismarck to Wilhelm II during the period of the German Empire. While Bismarck initially approached colonialism with caution and pragmatism, Wilhelm II adopted a more assertive and ambitious stance, seeking to establish Germany as a global colonial power which would compete with the established powers such as Great Britain or France.

The first Chancellor Otto von Bismarck held a strong aversion towards the idea of acquiring colonial lands due to its high expenses, limited profitability, and potential diplomatic entanglements with the other colonial powers. Besides those big factors against colonialism under Bismarck, Germany also lacked the naval power projection which would be required to maintain such a vast Empire in order to ensure stability and security within those overseas territories. Bismarcks real focus was rather on maintaining diplomatic and national integrity within Europe instead of focusing outwards. However, during the early 1880s, Bismarcks approach on colonial affairs shifted noticeably. Even though he was up until this point against german colonialism, german merchants and trade guilds established there own colonial territories in South-West Africa, East-Africa, Togo aswell as Kamerun. The German Empire still under Bismarck proclaimed those regions as protectorates and ensured there security also in order to prevent other nations from taking those regions. The colonial agenda under Bismarck continued and Germany gained more and more lands outwards, such as in North Guinea with its nearby island chains in 1885. This continuing approach marked the first phases of German Imperialism. Despite the shift in Bismarcks view on colonialism, he still saw those territories as mere trading bases which would safe and ensure trade, whereas the German Colonial Society viewed them as an extension of the German domain and the requirement for the aimed Weltpolitik, which would come with Wilhelm II.

# data[].attributes.headline
What is imperialism, what is "Weltpolitik"?

# data[].attributes.subject
What is imperialism, what is "Weltpolitik"?

# data[].attributes.body
During the period of 1871 to 1911, Germany underwent significant economic and social transformations, with a notable increase in population, coal and steel production, and industrial output. Germany emerged as a leading manufacturing nation in Europe, fostering a sense of national self-assertion and over-confidence. The generation of Wilhelm II, shaped by this progress, pursued Weltpolitik, reflecting a forward-looking and optimistic mindset. This generation, having grown up amidst Germany's impressive advancements, disregarded Bismarck's cautious policies and embraced a more assertive and global approach, ultimately leading to Bismarck's resignation.

# data[].attributes.headline
Colonial matters under Wilhelm II. (detailed)

# data[].attributes.subject
Colonial matters under Wilhelm II. (detailed)

# data[].attributes.body
With the ascension of Wilhelm II to the throne in 1888, the German Empire witnessed another significant shift in colonial politics. Wilhelm II, known for his ambitious, assertive and even impulsive personality, sought to assert Germany's global power and prestige through aggressive colonial expansion and sought for a Place in the Sun.

He envisioned Germany as a world power and believed that colonies were essential for achieving this status. He adopted a policy of "Weltpolitik" or world politics, which aimed to elevate Germany's influence on the global stage. Wilhelm II sought to establish a vast colonial empire that would rival those of Britain and France. He emphasised, besides the mostly prestigious justification, the importance of acquiring territories for strategic purposes, securing access to resources, and promoting German cultural and racial superiority. During his reign Germany embarked on an era of intensified colonial and naval importance. He was obsessed by the idea of an enlarged navy, even though it was a financial burden on the Empire. In spite of the ambitious colonial approach under Wilhelm II., Germany only acquired, in comparison to his predecessor, only smaller bits of land, mainly the Chinese concession of Qingdao, a smaller delegation in Tianjin, as well as islands in the pacific, acquired through the german-spanish treaty in 1899. Germany was just too late to really acquire more land in a time, where most of the lands in africa, south east asia or south america was already taken or part of the sphere of influence from other great nations.

The rough colonial approach under Wilhelm II led to many difficult challenges. Germany's late entry into colonialism raised the conflicts and tensions between Germany and other colonial nations. The pursuit of colonies also strained Germany's resources, diverting attention and funds from domestic needs and contributing to growing tensions in Europe.

# data[].attributes.body
The state of euphoria and support for Weltpolitik in Germany during the period was not limited to the ruling classes but extended to ordinary people. Propaganda campaigns promoting nationalism and militarism, along with distraction from domestic issues, contributed to widespread enthusiasm. The promotion of Weltpolitik served as a sophisticated strategy to prevent domestic reform or conflict while fostering nationalistic and militaristic sentiments. Organizations like the Colonial Society, Navy League, and Pan-German League, ostensibly created for specific purposes, played a role in inflaming these sentiments. However, the sustained promotion of nationalism and militarism eventually led to a genuine belief in these ideals, and over time, entities advocating imperialism effectively took control of the government.

# data[].attributes.body
Max Weber, a prominent figure in German public opinion, expressed concerns that Germany's late and costly unification, driven by militarism, could relegate the nation to second-rate power status. Militarism in Wilhelmine Germany created a pervasive fear of inferiority, pushing for continuous military expansion to avoid falling behind other major powers. This apprehension, combined with public pressure, compelled Germany to pursue imperialism. The aim of Weltpolitik lacked a distinctly defined positive goal but had a clear negative objective: displacing Britain from its preeminent position and establishing a system of equal global powers, soothing the fears generated by militarism. While Germany provided justifications for its foreign policy, such as acquiring Qingdao in 1897 for a future fleet, the circular nature of pursuits without a clear strategic foundation suggests that Weltpolitik served the pursuit of power for its own sake. The underlying explanation for Germany's actions appears to be the paranoia induced by militarism.

# data[].attributes.body
In conclusion, while Wilhelmine Germany's desire for an empire was influenced by factors such as the dominance of an overconfident generation and mounting public pressure, militarism emerged as the most influential driver. Militarism instilled a belief that pursuing Weltpolitik to attain equality with contemporary powers was crucial for the nation's survival on the world stage. The fear of geopolitical marginalization and compromised national interests became intrinsically linked to the imperative of imperialism. Thus, militarism played a central role in shaping Germany's pursuit of global power during the Wilhelmine era.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Boxer-Rebellion and the participation of Germany in the rebellion (detailed)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Boxer-Rebellion and the participation of Germany in the rebellion (detailed)

# data[].attributes.body
As Germany grew as an important colonial empire, the tension within these territories increased, partly due to the more aggressive colonial approach under Wilhelm II, which led to Germany becoming part of many serious atrocities, namely the Herero uprising and participation in the Boxer Rebellion.

In the early 20th century, 1899, the high tension in China and the anger of the population towards the foreigners, who used and saw China as a mere market to gain high profits from decided to and do something against the high influence of the foreign nations. China, which was then known as the Qing-Dynasty, was in the period of the so called century of humiliation, in which the foreign nations, mainly the western nations and Japan, used there technological advantages to enforce there interests in the huge chinese market, which could not effectivly fight back against those powers due to there prolonged isolation and backwards military. They enforced free trade, forced lease of concessions and many other acts which lead to the Qing-Dynasty to cripple under those harsh conditions. This inequality lead to the formation of the boxers who, fueled by there hatred against the foreign influence, tried to regain there sovereignty. This of course was a real thread to the great powers who decided to form the Eight-Nation Alliance and fight back against the boxer, who later got also officially backed by the Qing-Government. Besides the many nations who were involved in this war, Germany was also part of it and they crushed the rebellion of hundreds of thousands. After this war, the Boxer Protocols were enforced, further humiliating the Qing-Dynasty. The main clauses of this treaty forced china to repay war reparations around 450 million taels of fine silver (around 18.000 tinnes worth approx. 333 million USD) to the Alliance and many other clauses which ultimatly led to the downfall of the Qing-Dynasty.

# data[].attributes.body
Besides this rebellion in China, another rebellion in the german spherere of influence was in German South West Africa (present-day Namibia) which lead to the death of ten-thousands.

When the region of Namibia were obtain by Adolf Lüderitz with the permission of Bismarck, many of the native Herero and Nama people faced legal discrimination and expropriation of land for the use of the German settlers. They had little to no rights and had no real chance of equality than to stand up against there overlord, which lead to the rebellion in 1903, in which around 120 - 150 German settlers were killed. Germany send in troops to re-establish order but had a very hard time dealing with the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Herero but in the end ultimatly failed by the mere firepower of the modern german military. The aftermath was brutal for the rebellions. General Lothar von Trostha ordered the execution of every male Herero and drive the remaing Herero women and children into the deserted, where they would end up starving. The surviving few would be either transfered to the Shark Island concentration camp or would be send to work as slaves for German companies . In the end of 1908 when order was reestablished, around 50.000 - 100.000 Hereros died in this dreadful genocide for which Germany only apologised in 2004.

# data[].attributes.body
"Germany's unification was a juvenile prank which the nation had committed in its old days and which, because of its costliness, ought to have been omitted if it was to be the conclusion and not the starting point of German world power politics."

# data[].attributes.headline
Germanys participation in the Boxer-Rebellion (summarised) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Germanys participation in the Boxer-Rebellion (summarised) 

# data[].attributes.body
In 1899, China was experiencing high tension and resentment towards foreign powers, who were exploiting the country as a market for their own profit. This period, known as the century of humiliation, saw Western nations and Japan exerting their technological advantages to enforce their interests on China. The Qing Dynasty, weakened by isolation and a backward military, faced unequal treaties, forced concessions, and other acts that crippled their sovereignty.

In response to foreign influence, the Boxers emerged, driven by their hatred and a desire to regain Chinese sovereignty. The Eight-Nation Alliance, including Germany, was formed to crush the Boxer Rebellion, which had gained support from the Qing government. The war resulted in the enforcement of the Boxer Protocols, which further humiliated the Qing Dynasty. The protocols included clauses that forced China to pay substantial war reparations to the Alliance, ultimately contributing to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why did Wilhelmine Germany pursue "Weltpolitik?"

# data[].attributes.subject
Why did Wilhelmine Germany pursue "Weltpolitik?"

# data[].attributes.body
After Adolf Lüderitz obtained the region of Namibia with Bismarck's permission, the native Herero and Nama people faced discrimination and land expropriation by German settlers. With limited rights and no avenues for equality, the oppressed population rebelled in 1903, resulting in the deaths of approximately 120-150 German settlers. Germany responded by sending troops to suppress the rebellion, but they struggled against the guerrilla warfare tactics of the Herero. Ultimately, the modern German military's firepower overwhelmed the Herero resistance.

The aftermath of the rebellion was brutal. General Lothar von Trotha ordered the execution of male Herero and forced the remaining women and children into the desert, where they suffered from starvation. The surviving few were either sent to the Shark Island concentration camp or forced into slave labor for German companies. By the end of 1908, during the reestablishment of order, an estimated 50,000-100,000 Herero had died in this horrifying genocide. Germany only offered an apology for these atrocities in 2004.