Why did Germany have such a puny African empire? Did they fear

>>3162414
Bismarck considered colonies a waste of time and money.

>>3162414
That's a pretty big empire, really. Germany was late to the game obviously, but it did rapidly gain African colonies.

>>3162414
Yeah, they got scared off after their buddies to the south got thrashed in Ethiopia by a bunch of niggers armed with sharpened fruit.

>>3162414
>3rd largest presence in Africa
>puny
Also they were a bit late to the game and there was a lot of debate over whether Germany should even colonies because there was doubt they would be profitable, which turned out to be right because they didn't profit from them.

>>3162427
He was right

Imagine the resources Germany would've had if it never bothered with a bluewater navy or colonies.

>>3162460
They profited from Namibia IIRC. Only because they struck gold, though.

Togoland sure is a funny looking country. I wonder their nation is like...

>>3162427
He also feared spreading Germany's military resources across the globe, as well as the risk of appearing as a competitor to nations like Britain rather than a continental partner.

Funny thing is, he then later complained bitterly about Caprivi giving up Zanzibar in return for Heligoland {which Germany needed to defend its coastline & the Kiel canal} as well as a strip of land in Africa. The strip was, however, ultimately worthless.

>>3162414
They could have had Europe instead.

>>3162460
Colonies aren't for profit though

>>3162434
Those sharpened mangoes were absolutely dreadful.

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