| This dissertation is a study in German imperialism based on the life and works of Max v. Brandt (1835-1920), prominent diplomat in East Asia, influential government adviser, and prolific publicist. By examining Brandt's diplomatic and private correspondence as well as his many publications, the study helps clarify the nature of German imperialist expansion in East Asia in the late nineteenth century.; By way of introduction, the first chapter gives an overview of German expansionism in East Asia in the nineteenth century. Chapter two outlines Brandt's activities as diplomat in China, showing how he conceived of German interests there primarily in economic terms. Chapter three describes Brandt's ambivalent stance on the "Mission Question." His criticism and support of missionaries demonstrates the inadequacy of the view that missionaries were simply agents of imperialism. Chapter four shows how Brandt, as an adviser to the Foreign Ministry after leaving diplomatic service, played an important role in forming German East Asian policy, especially in Germany's participation in the Triple Intervention after the Sino-Japanese War and in the acquisition of Kiaochow. Brandt's views on policy were based on economic considerations but tempered by a realistic sense of what was politically possible. Chapter five describes his views on German East Asian policy, colonial policy and Weltpolitik, showing how he supported Germany's quest for world power, but cautiously subordinated a narrow, chauvinistic nationalism to the preservation of free trade principles and the avoidance of international conflict. Chapter six summarizes Brandt's views on the civilization and future development of China, portraying him as a thoughtful and sympathetic observer of China and its people.; The dissertation provides insight on various aspects of German imperialism in the late nineteenth century: how German expansionism in China was an example of informal empire; how German striving for world power was a mixture of economic, political, and prestige motives; and how in the Age of Imperialism, at least one prominent German was skeptical of European cultural superiority and was aware of the effects of westernization on the peoples of East Asia. |
