Why didn't Germany had a vast colonies as Britain did during WW1?

Answer 1

During the 19th century Germany had been looking inward to unification of the various German States - which wasn't complete until 1870. This had meant that Germany was very late into the race for colonies and had not had the opportunity to Empire build, although it had a few small colonies in southern and eastern Africa obtained in what has been described as 'The Scramble for Africa' of the late 19th century. This was something that rankled with Kaiser Wilhelm and was a reason leading to the dreadnought arms race of the late 19th/early 20th century.

I must comment on the answer that Great Britain's Empire gave it a somehow 'unfair' advantage over Germany. Since when has fairness had anything to do with war?

Answer 2

They got into Imperialism late in the game. Germany was not even a united nation until 1871. It was not until the great Otto Von Bismarck that Germany became a truly united country. By the time that Germany started attempting to get some colonies, other European nations had already taken control of most of the world. There were not many areas that Germany could take control of.

Answer 3

Because the main infrastructure of colonization (the sea) was mainly dependent on the navies for support. Britain's was substantially larger than Germany's for all of the colonization era leading up to the war. Germany DID have large holdings in Africa and SE Asia, and fighting DID take place at all these locations, but Germany never felt much of a commitment to fight for its colonies.

Answer 4

They had SW Africa (Namibia) and a few other scattered colonies, but don't forget Germany didn't have a Commonwealth or Empire to lean on like Britain did.

Germany did try expansion into the Middle East, but the British got there before them.

Its precisely because Britain had an Empire and Commonwealth, it had an unfair advantage over Germany.

Answer 5

Germany never had the naval capabilities of Britain to allow expansion, colonisation and trade on a large scale.

Answer 6

Because Germany did not exist as one state until 1871 and most of the available territory had already been grabbed by other nations