Why Bismarck did not want colonies for Germany?

 Otto Von Bismarck was not an ordinary politician. He was a gifted strategist and who had geoeconomics wrapped around his fingers. As the Iron chancellor he did not take kindly to the suggestion of acquiring colonies for the German empire. Why?

Germany getting out of the ring of comfort zone is something anathema to Bismarck. He detested going for misadventure until and unless German security is threatened. He is a staunch supporter of the idea of “degree of proximity”. His ambit was to ensure the “near and rear” as area of prime concern.  This must not be construed that he was risk averse. He would take the right risk if the benefits are more or proportionate.

Unsurprisingly, when prodded by political and trade leaders on the subject of acquiring colonies he retorted “I am no man for colonies”. In his scheme of things he had well thought of two vectors.

One is that Germany is a land power and not a sea power. As a prognosticator he came to this conclusion before H J Mackinder published his seminal article “the Geographical Pivot of History” in 1904 that distinguished the features of land and sea powers and designating both Germany and Russia as land powers and England and America as sea powers. On this premise his concern of being sea power was primarily restricted to policing and protecting the adjacent Baltic Sea.  

The second vector was Germany must rule Europe in terms of power, prestige and geoeconomics rather than spawn as global power ruling entire waves. Yet as geoeconomics dictates it is the duty to of the state to protect its trade routes, supply of raw materials and transport of finished goods without any hindrance from other powers. 

Plainly speaking, he was an ardent admirer and practitioner of authoritarian and centralized rule that could bring economic progress along with economic security. Unless colonies can match up with the ethos of German “steel and blood” philosophy capturing culturally diverse nations do not bring revenue but a burden that must be paid from German coffers. Reluctantly though it was in 1884 he consented for the acquisition of colonies with a premonition that this will only harm the German nation.

His prediction was proved right after 35 years on 1919. On the aftermath of defeat in the World War I all German colonies were confiscated by Allied powers subsequent to the Treaty of Versailles! 

 

Cheers! 

 

Muthu Ashraff Rajulu

Business Strategist

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