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GERMANY AND LATIN AMERICA – DEVELOPING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FOREIGN POLICY, 1871-1914 A Dissertation by MARSHALL A. YOKELL, IV Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Chair of Committee, Adam R. Seipp Committee Members, Jason C. Parker Brian J. Rouleau Shona N. Jackson Head of Department, David Vaught December 2018 Major Subject: History Copyright 2018 Marshall Allison Yokell, IV ABSTRACT From the formation of the German nation in 1871 until the eve of World War I, Germany’s emergence on the world stage as a global power was never a simple endeavor nor one where there was a clear path forward for policymakers in Berlin or diplomats serving abroad. While scholars have focused on the direct actions in creating a formal German empire, a clear mark of a global power, they have not fully engaged in examining the impact of indirect forms of imperialism and empire building. This dissertation is a global study of German interactions in South America, and how it relied on its diplomats there to assist in the construction of an informal empire, thus demonstrating Germany’s global presence. This coterie of diplomats and foreign policy officials in Berlin pointed to South America as a region of untapped potential for Germany to establish its global footprint and become a world power. This work draws upon primary sources, both unpublished and published, examining the records of diplomats, businessmen, and colonial and religious groups to show the vast networks and intersections that influenced German policy in South America as it sought to increase its global presence and construct an informal empire. The Foreign Office relied on a cohort of trusted development specialists to put its vision into practice. This select group of atypical diplomats (non-nobles, with extensive knowledge in many fields), had considerable backing and wielded significant influence on German policy in South America. The ways in which German diplomas intersected and interacted with religion, trade, and military needs influenced German policy in ii South America. They used these connections to demonstrate Germany’s power, increase its prestige in South America, and strengthen Berlin’s global presence and claims of being a Weltmacht. Such efforts were part of early attempts at globalization, as the German Foreign Office, guided by its diplomats abroad, sought to create a more integrated global community, and demonstrate Germany as a global power. While Germany’s policy was diverse, at its heart was a concept of creating an “empire by infrastructure” as a means of projecting power. Viewing South America as a place to build infrastructure, Germany engaged in a variety of projects there. The resulting picture of German diplomatic efforts in South America yields a study in policy and empire, as well as a global and transnational history of German diplomacy. iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my mother, Patricia, sister, Mellissa, brother, Matthew, and to the loving memory of my father, Marshall, III, and Houdini. Their support throughout this process has made this work possible. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The creation of a project such as this is not easy to undertake and is difficult to complete without a lot of help and guidance. As a result, there is no shortage of people who deserve my appreciation and recognition, for without their assistance, this work still would be an idea floating in my head. Professor Adam Seipp, my advisor and mentor, has spent countless hours guiding me through the process of not only writing my dissertation, but also showing me what it means to be a true academic and scholar. His assistance in the initial stages, with writing grant and project projects, the research, and reading countless drafts was invaluable in helping produce the best possible project. His words of wisdom and insights, and those from the rest of my committee members, were profound and their kindness and sympathy as I worked on finishing this project were greatly appreciated. To them I owe them my deepest thanks. To my colleagues and fellow students at Texas A&M University, I am thankful for all the support and encouragement they offered throughout this process. As a result of their help, this work has reached even higher than I could have hoped. I am particularly indebted to Ben and Sara, Jeff, Chris, and Patrick for their all their thoughtful insights, advice, and, most importantly, their friendship. To Laurel, your friendship, support, and encouragement was immeasurable throughout this whole process. Whenever I felt as though I would never finish this project, I could count on v you to help me re-focus and set me back on the path towards completion with renewed vigor. I cannot thank you enough. I especially want to thank my friends and colleagues that I met at the GHI Transatlantic Doctoral Seminar in 2014 - Adam, Jason, Skye, Scott, Carla, Josh, Norman, Matt, Christoph, Daniel, Katharina, Marc, and Tina, and Professors Richard Wetzel, Anna von der Goltz, Johannes Pullman, Celia Applegate, Uta Planert, and David Barclay. Their thoughtful insights were invaluable in helping to turn a what felt like a series of disjointed thoughts and ideas (in chapter form) into a singular, cohesive project. The friendship that grew out of this seminar helped set me on the path to seeing myself as a scholar and that there others out there who are interested in my work. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Anne and Steve, and the entire Muller family (Mattias, Barbara, Tobi, Carol, Franziska, Mario, Leo, and Zoe). Undertaking any research trip is difficult but is even more so when doing it for a year in another country. Their willingness to letting me stay at their family in Potsdam when I first arrived in Germany, and to become a part of the Mueller family. I will never forget celebrating the holidays together, especially Easter and Christmas, the German language and culture lessons, and the fact that no matter what time of day it was, there was always a plate of food ready to be warmed up and eaten. They were the embodiment of German Gemütlichkeit. Words cannot begin to express my appreciation. Thanks also go to my work colleagues at the Office of the Secretary of Defense History Office, Naval History and Heritage Command, and the William J. Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and George W. Bush Presidential Libraries. In particular, I wish to thank vi Tom Christianson, Erin Mahan, Kristina Giannotta, Scott Anderson, Dana Simmons, Teri Garner, Shannon Jarrett, and Emily Robison. I greatly appreciate all their support during the final stages of this work, and to step aside from other projects to focus on it when needed. To Sarah H. and Danielle - whether it was making sure I had enough coffee to keep me going through the long nights, checking up on me and making sure that I was getting enough sleep, or providing a laugh when I needed it - I am grateful for their help, encouragement, and care. Most importantly, I wish to extend my deepest thanks to my family. To my sister Mellissa for always being willing to offer kind words of support and guidance when I needed it. To my Senegal Parrot Houdini, I could always count on you to provide kind chirps and cuddles whenever things seemed too difficult and I needed some comfort, especially during those long evenings late into the night. To my brother Matthew who provided whatever assistance I needed no matter what time of day and regardless of whatever else was occurring in our lives. Whether it was offering objective criticism, helping to decipher German documents, serving as a sounding board for new ideas, allowing me to vent when I needed to, and even serving as copy-editor when I no longer had the wherewithal to do so. Without such assistance I would probably still be working on this project, far from completion. Lastly, I wish to thank my parents, Marshall, III, and Patricia, whose help and sacrifices up to this point I cannot even begin to enumerate. Without their love, support and guidance, I would not have even been able to begin this journey, nor would I have had the courage to continue on during my times of struggle. Words of thanks can only begin to scratch the surface of my appreciation. vii CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES A dissertation committee consisting of Professor Adam Seipp and Professors Jason Parker and Brian Rouleau of the Department of History and Professor Shona Jackson of the Department of English supervised this work. A dissertation research fellowship from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), and from the Texas A&M University Department of History supported graduate study. A Brown-Kruse Fellowship from the Melbern G. Glasscock Center for Humanities Research supported research on Chapter III, and the German Historical Institute (GHI) on Chapter VI. The author independently completed all other work conducted for this dissertation. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................. ii DEDICATION............................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................. v CONTRIBUTORS AND FUNDING SOURCES........................................................ viii TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................