The aim of this foreign policy was to spread German influence throughout the world, the meaning of which is interpreted differently by different people. ‘Weltpolitik’ meant colonial expansion to the armed forces, and ‘Lebensraum’ (living space) throughout Europe to the Pan-German League. These promises made by ‘weltpolitik’ can easily be interpreted as aggressive, and this view is supported by Corrigan who says ‘At least as early as 1906, Germany had in place a plan for an
John Hobson, an English economist, saw imperialism as inevitable, for powers of production outpace consumption resulting in more profit for the mother country (doc 2). The United States was involved in imperialism due to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which made the western hemisphere an American protectorate and their victory in the Spanish-American War making them a Pacific power. Both Europe and America believed imperialism could bring them economic power and capacity. Imperialism was not strictly confined to economics; it also included the political aims of unique states. John Hobson deemed demand for foreign markets for manufacturers and investments was responsible for the adoption of Imperialism as a political policy (doc 2).
What kind of empire did the United States create for itself in the late nineteenth century? How did the American empire compare to other imperial powers of the day? Why were some Americans so concerned about the new role of empire for America? Why were some Americans enthusiastically supportive of an American empire? The last quarter of the nineteenth centruy is known as the age of imperialism, when rival European empires carved up large parts of the world among themselves.
1. a. After examining one of the maps of Europe, explain whether Germany or Great Britain had the greater need for a strong navy. Germany b. Explain why you chose this country. Because Germany was surrounded by the Triple Entente (the Great Britain, France, Russia).
Realizing that without power they could in no way influence the outcome of anything nationally or internationally Bismarck and Wilhelm held power in high importance. Therefore it was natural for Bismarck to want to become a European power, and eventually succeeded in becoming so. Because of this it was understandable that Wilhelm would want to continue on with Bismarck’s legacy and make Germany into a world power. The means in which Wilhelm II took to achieve this was to colonize Africa and to enlarge the German navy. By doing this Wilhelm aggravated Britain because they had the largest navy in the world and because Wilhelm was colonizing along the borders of British colonies.
Imperialism began in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s affecting many countries, for example, China, India, Africa, and South America were all affected by imperialism. Although the New Imperialism resulted from industrialized nations seeking control of foreign territories, the conditions that motivated and fueled the great expansion for industrialized nations were mostly based on economic motives. As Europe gained significant power strongly centered nation states emerged. Several factors contributed to the Europeans conquest of Africa. One staggering advantage was Europeans technological superiority.
Britain had already started gaining empires during the late 18th century and it had about ½ of Africa, it also owned all of Australia, Canada, India, Papua, Barbados and a few of the Caribbean Islands. Other countries competed to take over Britain’s status of control but failed. Germany was one of these countries. Germany was competing for power and had been trying to beat Britain and it’s control over ¼ of the world. It also wanted to expand its influence and create a great empire, Kaiser ( the emperor at the time) also had a paranoia about Germany’s place in the world, he wanted it to become the strongest empire in the world.
Explain why you chose this country. I chose Germany because it was surrounded by the other alliance (Triple Entente) which means Germany would need a stronger navy to face the other countries within that alliance. c. Based on the state of the arms race in 1914, if you were a German citizen, how would you feel? Explain why. If I were a German citizen I would feel scared that Great Britain has the world’s naval power and is not apart of our alliance but also proud that Germany was able to get to second after building their first two battleships the Nassau and the Westfalen.
According to Robert Tombs in his book ‘France 1814 – 1914’, Britain’s expansion was ‘motivated by finance, trade, strategy, ideology and accident’. There were several territories within the British Empire, ‘like the Transvaal, Egypt and the Yangtse valley’ which provided great profit. It is believed by some historians that the British conquest of Egypt in 1882 took place because the British wanted to gain a profit from the area. The same can be said about all the European powers and their presence in Africa. At the end of the nineteenth Century, The British extended their control in Sierra Leon, Ashantiland and Niger.
The formal unification of Germany into a politically and administratively integrated nation state occurred on 18 January 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors. Princes of the many German states gathered there to proclaim Wilhelm of Prussia as Emperor Wilhelm I of the German Empire. Unification was a complicated process. Historians debate whether or not Otto von Bismarck, the Minister-President of Prussia, had a master-plan to expand the North German Confederation of 1866 to include the remaining independent German states into the German Empire — or whether he simply sought to expand the power of the Kingdom of Prussia. This article also addresses the factors beyond the strength of Bismarck's Realpolitik that led to unification.