The British attitude to German colonial development 1880-85

Abstract

In 1880 Britain and Germany had no conflicting interests and were on amicable terms. But when Bismarck initiated a colonial policy, Anglo-German relations quickly became extremely bitter. The British Government did not grudge the arrival of Germany in colonial fields, but they took objection to the brusqueness of Bismarck's action. The clash came over territory which before the intrusion of any other European Power had been vaguely considered in British sphere of influence for instance, the South West Africa coast and the Eastern half of New Guinea. On the other hand, these were the obvious fields for German enterprise. On April 24th 1884 Germany declared a protectorate in South West Africa. The British Government were not enlightened as to this significant new policy until conversations in London and Berlin on June 14th Although Bismarck maintained that he made an overture for a colonial agreement in his despatch of May 5th-to the German ambassador in London. Lord Granville's policy of subservience to German arrogance on colonial questions was due to the Egyptian dilemma, in which Germany's benevolence was vital to the British position.