published_or_final_version / Literary and Cultural Studies / Master / Master of Arts

This study is a modest attempt, from a behavioural perspective, to sort out some of the conceptual difficulties in the imperialist literature. Several objections are raised pertaining to marxist determinism and a less deterministic model is opted for. The empirical implications of testing the whole model militate against it in a study of this size so that only two important propositions emanating from the model are tested; first that interactions in the international system are rank-dependent, and second, that they are feudally-structured. Support for these two hypotheses can be found in the behavioural literature, but the advantage of this study is that it offers an explanation - imperialism (with requisite qualifications) - for these interaction relationships. The results are far from conclusive; several problems regarding conceptual ambiguity remain. Future study rejecting the marxist mode of inquiry will have to concentrate on further specification of an alternative model. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

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published_or_final_version / Asian Studies / Master / Master of Arts

This dissertation traces the development of German attitudes towards Southern Africa in the period 1893-1899 with a view to clarifying certain aspects of German imperialism, particularly the changing nature of the Reich government's policy objectives. The topic is approached with regard to two historical controversies. The first of these concerns the nature of the forces motivating German imperialism. Examining separately the popular, economic and governmental stimuli to the Reich's participation in the area, it assesses the relative importance of these factors to the nature of the country's diplomatic stance and thereby determines from which source or sources governmental action ultimately derived. The material uncovered leads to one certain conclusion. Though almost every imaginable interest group campaigned vigorously to influence the government's outlook on this issue, it was in fact shaped almost exclusively by the results of an internecine struggle between different factions in the executive. The second controversy concerns the issue of whether or not German imperialism had specific territorial objectives. The study of South Africa demonstrates that, during the period 1893- 1896, the German government abandoned its eurocentric stance and devoted considerable attention to the Transvaal in the hope of developing a position of preponderant political influence there. Thereafter, following changes in the administrative elite, they abandoned this in favour of the global aspirations of Weltpolitik. The evidence reveals that in the shift between a European concentration and a world outlook, the South African experience was crucial. Consequently, the conclusion of this study is that South Africa should occupy an important place in the historiography of German imperialism. Policy towards this region was developed at a time when Germany's attitude to the world was in a state of flux and, thus, perceptions developed by their diplomatic activities there were to play a major role in shaping their future world behaviour.

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The conventional understanding of German expansion abroad, between unification (1871) and the First World War (1914), is that Germany established colonies in Africa, the Pacific Islands, and to a lesser degree in China. This colonialism began in 1884 with the recognition of German Southwest Africa. This dissertation challenges these conventionally accepted notions about German expansion abroad. The challenge presented by this dissertation is a claim that German expansionism included imperial activity in the Ottoman Empire. Although the Germans did not develop colonies in the Ottoman Empire, German activity in the Middle East conformed closely to the established model for imperialism in the Ottoman Empire; the British established this model in the 1840s. By considering the economic, political, military, educational, and cultural activities of the Germans in the Ottoman Empire it is evident that the Ottoman Empire must be considered in the historiography of German expansionism. When expanding into the Ottoman Empire the Germans followed the model established by the British. Although deeply involved in the Ottoman Empire, German activity was not militaristic or even aggressive. Indeed, the Germans asserted themselves less successfully than the British or the French. Thus, this German expansion into the Ottoman Empire simultaneously addresses the question of German exceptionalism.

The conventional understanding of German expansion abroad, between unification (1871) and the First World War (1914), is that Germany established colonies in Africa, the Pacific Islands, and to a lesser degree in China. This colonialism began in 1884 with the recognition of German Southwest Africa. This dissertation challenges these conventionally accepted notions about German expansion abroad. The challenge presented by this dissertation is a claim that German expansionism included imperial activity in the Ottoman Empire. Although the Germans did not develop colonies in the Ottoman Empire, German activity in the Middle East conformed closely to the established model for imperialism in the Ottoman Empire; the British established this model in the 1840s. By considering the economic, political, military, educational, and cultural activities of the Germans in the Ottoman Empire it is evident that the Ottoman Empire must be considered in the historiography of German expansionism. When expanding into the Ottoman Empire the Germans followed the model established by the British. Although deeply involved in the Ottoman Empire, German activity was not militaristic or even aggressive. Indeed, the Germans asserted themselves less successfully than the British or the French. Thus, this German expansion into the Ottoman Empire simultaneously addresses the question of German exceptionalism.

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / English Studies / Master / Master of Arts

No description available.