THE EAGLE AND THE DRAGON: TSINGTAU AND THE GERMAN COLONIAL EXPERIENCE IN CHINA, 1880-1918 A Dissertation by MATTHEW ALLISON YOKELL 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, Chester Dunning Hoi-Eun Kim Randy Kluver Head of Department, David Vaught December 2018 Major Subject: History Copyright 2018 Matthew A. Yokell ABSTRACT When Germany forced China to surrender part of the province of Shantung and the village of Tsingtau in 1897, it secured the long-standing wishes of a German China lobby that had articulated visions of empire that would achieve their individual objectives. While their various ideas were broad and not well defined, at their heart was that Germany should embrace a liberal, commercial model of empire: a “German Hong Kong” that would be a paradigm of colonial rule and a major power center in Asia. There exists a critical need to place Germany’s colonial experience in China in its proper historical context and appreciate its role in German imperialism and the development of a more globalized world at the turn of the twentieth century. This study critically analyzes the colony of Tsingtau in order to elucidate German ideas about empire during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The 3500 Germans in Tsingtau and their supporters created a nexus of associations to build a commercial center to rival British Hong Kong. Inspired by new historical trends, this work examines mid-level state and military officials, diplomats, businessmen, and religious leaders, the “middle management of empire,” that helped develop Tsingtau. In doing so, it studies the colonial experience as “history from the middle,” highlighting the critical role Tsingtau played in Germany’s emergence as a world power. To tell the story of Tsingtau, my research utilizes sources from German, Chinese, and American archives, ascertaining how leaders in Germany and Tsingtau viewed the colony, as well as the impact of colonists’ experiences on German policy. ii This is supplemented with records of imperial officials, colonial leaders, corporate organizations, and other influential members of the community. These mid-level individuals devised and implemented projects to enhance life for the colonists and, sometimes, natives. Their records show how economic, political, and cultural interests worked together to develop the colony and enhance Germany’s status as a world leader. My research identifies new ideas about German visions of empire-particularly that a strong liberal impulse existed in German imperialism-and shows that Germany was a key player in early globalization and that its East Asian presence was an integral part of its global power projection. Consequently, this transnational study substantially enriches our understanding of imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century and our perception of the formation of an interconnected global society. iii DEDICATION To my family – my mother, Patricia, brother, Marshall, IV, sister, Mellissa, nephews, Evander, and Harrison, and Jasper, the newest member of my flock. In loving memory of Houdini, and my father, Marshall, III, who were so integral in helping me reach this point, and who are unable to witness fully the fruits of their love, support, and encouragement. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Writing acknowledgements for as massive an undertaking as this is never easy. How to do justice to the friends, colleagues, chance encounters, and family members that shaped this project in ways large and small, directly and indirectly, seen and unseen? In reflecting on my journey to completing this project, one theme I continue to come back to is that of Family. Families can take so many forms, uniting people through bonds, forged in the crucible of shared experiences, trials and tribulations, triumph and tragedy, successes and setbacks. These families formed and intersected as I traveled across the world in the pursuit of my dreams and were crucial to my growth and development as a scholar, a teacher, and a person. I owe a great debt to the individuals that formed these families, for without them, this work would not have been completed. First, I wish to thank the members of my committee: Adam Seipp, Chester Dunning, Hoi-Eun Kim, and Randy Kluver. Although each member of my committee provided valuable assistance, support, and guidance, I must single-out Adam and Chester for their contributions. As my mentor, advisor, and chair, Adam Seipp was instrumental in helping me grow the kernel of my idea for a research project into the fully-formed dissertation that you now see here. Adam inspired me, challenged me, and pushed me to achieve things I never dreamed I could, all while remaining empathetic during my struggles, supportive whenever I encountered an obstacle (and creative when devising a solution to a problem), and always ready to celebrate a new breakthrough or achievement. I am proud to be one of his first students, and I hope that I can follow his v model as I move forward in my own career as a scholar. Chester, whom I also consider my mentor, has always been something of the raging yin to Adam’s sobering yang. Like Adam, he too challenged me and pushed me not only to be a better scholar and educator, but also a better person. He always knew when to push the right buttons to power me forward in my pursuits, and his enthusiasm and curiosity for my work and other interests encouraged and cheered me on. Chester and Adam both never doubted me, even in the moments when I doubted myself. I could not have asked for two better mentors, whose scholarship and dedication to teaching are truly worthy of emulation. I also wish to thank the faculty and staff in the Department of History at Texas A&M, and the many students that were my colleagues, classmates, and friends. I am most appreciative of the support, encouragement, and probing questions and insights you offered me throughout this process. Not only have you made me a better researcher and educator through my many years as an Aggie, but I am also a wiser, more understanding, and stronger person for having each of you in my life. There are too many people to name everyone, but I would be remiss if I did not thank the following individuals directly: R. J. Q. Adams, Phil Smith, Walter Kamphoefner, Rita Walker, Mary Johnson, Barbara Dawson, Bill Collopy, Roger Horky, Ian Abbey, Tyler Peterson, Rachel Gunther, Chris Mathey, and Jared Donnelly. Special acknowledgement goes to Jeffrey Crean, Kevin Pepper, Ben and Sara Duerksen, Cameron McCoy, Chris Gilson, Adam Marin, Anne and Steve Davis, Stephanie Adams, and Rachael Porterfield. My inner circle in Texas, these people have been my strongest advocates, shoulders to cry on, valuable sounding boards, constant supporters, and closest and most trusted confidantes. vi This project would not be nearly as thorough or complete without numerous travels overseas to visit archives, museums, and special collections and the copious materials they contained on this topic. I have been fortunate to have been able to visit utilize resources from at least six countries on three continents, often with considerable financial support. I am most grateful to these organizations (see the “Contributors” section for the specifics) for giving me the chance to conduct my research. While these groups provided the finances necessary for this work, it was the many friends and colleagues that I met that afforded me the opportunity to make the most of the travels. Patrick Gilner and my GHI Archival Summer Study cohort of David Harrisville, Jessica Plummer, Nathan Zink, Nick Ostrum, Lauren Stokes, Jane Freeland, Noria Litaker, and Carla Heelan, and Clelia Caruso made up my initial abroad network that continued to grow upon each additional trip to Germany. I am especially grateful to the legion of friends that made my year as a DAAD fellow so special and transformative. Brenna Yellin, Peter van Lidth, Alissa Bellotti, Kathryn Julian, Riina Hyökki, Julie Ault, Caroline Nilsen, Lars Stiglich, Heidi Tworek, Maureen Zink, Sarah Black, Ian Button, Alex Ruble, and Sebastian Wüpper-not to mention many members of my GHI cohort- were critically important in helping me navigate my year as an expatriate scholar and leaving me with precious memories to last a lifetime. Perhaps the most critical to my success in Germany and Europe was the support, guidance, kindness and Gemütlichkeit that the Müller family offered me whenever I found myself in Berlin/Potsdam. Without the love and friendship of Barbara, Mathias, Tobi, Carol, Franceska, Mario, Leo and Zoe, I would never have gained the confidence vii to embrace the opportunity that lay before me. My deutsche Familie, not only did they provide me with a place to stay, but they also made me feel welcome and a part of the native environment as soon as I walked through their door. I owe the Müllers so much. Another critical piece to the puzzle of my dissertation has been the cohort of colleagues and friends who share my interest in, and passion for, nineteenth century Germany and German imperialism. The German Historical Institute’s 20th Transatlantic Doctoral Seminar, convened by Anna von der Goltz and Richard Wetzell and with mentorship from David Barclay, Celia Applegate, Johannes Paulmann, and Ute Planert, brought many of us together initially, and the ranks of this close-knit group of scholars from both Europe and the United States has only continued to expand at successive annual meetings of the German Studies Association. I extend my deepest gratitude to Claudia Kreklau, Jason Wolfe, Sean Wempe, Adam Blacklear, Skye Donney, Norman Aselmeyer, Joshua Bennett, Joanne Cho, Lee Roberts, Christoph Kienemann, Katharina Steiner, Daniel Ristau, Marc Hanisch, Matt Unangst, Scott Berg, Tina Hanappel, and Eric Roubinek All of these scholars have been, key sources of information and ideas, excellent critics, and so generous, thoughtful, and supportive of me and each other as we launch our respective careers.