In Defense of German Colonialism: And How Its Critics Empowered Nazis, Communists, and the Enemies of the West

Has history misled us about German colonialism? Gilley challenges conventional narratives that portray Germany's colonial rule as oppressive and exploitative. This short examines how German administration actually brought stability, infrastructure, and economic growth to territories from Africa to the Pacific and China. Case studies of Cameroon, Togo, Namibia, and Qingdao show that native populations often welcomed German governance and benefited from improved healthcare, education, and security. Gilley argues that Germany's colonial achievements were deliberately distorted after World War I, creating a political vacuum that contributed to the rise of extremism. By reevaluating this contested history, this work offers a fresh perspective on how anti-colonial rhetoric became weaponized by totalitarian movements and questions established assumptions about Western colonialism's legacy.