Imperial German/Spanish Connection 1898

Seeking information from the experts on how a German/Spanish quasi merger might occur between 1871 & 1898? The whole spectrum; Royal & aristocratic marriages, business connections becoming extensive, Germans milliing about in Madrid, Santiago, San Juan, Manilla & Spaniards practicing their 'Deutch' in Berlin, Essen, and the German territories in Africa.

Would this work, or would the Spanish be resenting a pack of arrogant Germans tossing their money around?

What I am reaching for is a close enough connection the Kaiser chooses war with the US to support his cousins in Spain and investment in the Spanish colonies.

Thanks to any assistance or opinions.
 
The whole Franco-Prussian War deal started because the Germans offered a Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen prince to the throne of Spain, so you could have a PoD there.
An Hispano-German alliance could perhaps lead to Germany purchasing the Philippines.
 
Thanks. I'm thinking a big part of this happening is how attractive the Spanish empire would be to German investors. Better than other venues? ...and was there a useful amount of capitol in the German economy for such investment?
 
Thanks. I'm thinking a big part of this happening is how attractive the Spanish empire would be to German investors. Better than other venues? ...and was there a useful amount of capitol in the German economy for such investment?
If Wilhelm II still takes power and invests into the Kriegsmarine, then the Philippines will end up looking like a tempting target for estabilishing naval bases in, due to the archipelago's strategic position. Perhaps the Germans and Spanish negotiate a deal whereas Germany gets the PI and promises to protect Spain against possible rebels, or US encroachment, in Cuba?
A German Philippine archipelago can also lead to interesting repercussions in Asia: will the French commit more against China during the Sino-French War of the 1880's, to counterbalance German influence in the area? If France takes not only Indochina, but also Taiwan, then it's likely that the Russians and Japanese will also jump into the dogpile.
 
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Is anyone important liable to object to a German purchase of PI?
France, Bismarck, and pro-British types in the German government, like IOTL when concerning German colonial expansion.
Possibly also a percentage of the Filipino liberals themselves, but i heard from somewhere that the Filipinos would actually be okay with German rule. Can't recall where from, though.
 
Is anyone important liable to object to a German purchase of PI?

If the McKinley administration still wants to take the PI for themselves, they may object to such a purchase. The French would obviously complain about having a German colony so close to their own possessions in Indochina. The British are another possible opponent of such a purchase, as the Germans could now establish a solid Pacific power base in the PI and potentially threaten British colonies in the region.
 
Sounds like a lease on a naval base would dodge a lot of objections, tho not all. One advantage is you still have the Spanish navy hanging around. Having joint training with the German squadron.
 
Can a strong German connection help vs the Cuban insurrection?

How much capitol did German business have in the 1880-1900 era? Was there enough surplus to sustain both the historical German growth, and make a difference for Spain and its empire? Would the investors have to go to London or New York for capitol or can it be found in Germany of elsewhere?
 
Well following 1871 Germany had 5 billion francs in war reparations, which led to quite a bit of boom...
...unfortunatly it also led to the stock market crash of 1873, put an abrupt end to this upswing, referred to in German as the founders’ crisis (Gründerkrise), resulting in a twenty-year period of economic stagnation.

But IF and it is a big if the government invest the reparations intelligent in infrastructure (like railroads etc.) it may prevent or lessen the crash which could free the capital needed.
 
Well following 1871 Germany had 5 billion francs in war reparations, which led to quite a bit of boom...
...unfortunatly it also led to the stock market crash of 1873, put an abrupt end to this upswing, referred to in German as the founders’ crisis (Gründerkrise), resulting in a twenty-year period of economic stagnation.

But IF and it is a big if the government invest the reparations intelligent in infrastructure (like railroads etc.) it may prevent or lessen the crash which could free the capital needed.
Did the reparations really cause the crash and did the crash really cause stagnation in Germany? I never heard of this.

The Philippines could be partitioned, the Americans get Luzon and Germans get Vismin.
The Americans are not getting anything if Spain doesn't sell it to them though.

If the McKinley administration still wants to take the PI for themselves, they may object to such a purchase. The French would obviously complain about having a German colony so close to their own possessions in Indochina. The British are another possible opponent of such a purchase, as the Germans could now establish a solid Pacific power base in the PI and potentially threaten British colonies in the region.
Can't they really oppose an arragment between 2 independent nations just like that?


Imagine Germany could get the Philippines in exchange of supporting Spain in expanding in Morocco and in modernizing fully, to create an alliance block with Italy, Austria and Spain to encircle France, considering Italy also had conflicting colonial ambitions with France and some territory ambitions.
 
Imagine Germany could get the Philippines in exchange of supporting Spain in expanding in Morocco and in modernizing fully, to create an alliance block with Italy, Austria and Spain to encircle France, considering Italy also had conflicting colonial ambitions with France and some territory ambitions.

I think the Spanish would sell Luzon to the British since the British had already set shop in Manila even before the Spanish-American war(since they might have already been negotiating), Vismin could be sold to the Germans.

No union between Luzon and Vismin because it is a failed union in OTL.
 
Did the Spanish really want to sell any of the PI? I understand but 1898 things had gone south, but would that still be the case with German investment and other presence?
 
The whole Franco-Prussian War deal started because the Germans offered a Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen prince to the throne of Spain, so you could have a PoD there. ...

Wondering what other aristocratic marriages there might be, and if they would mean much? By 1898 business connections may be just as important. Anyone have any insight into those possibilities?
 
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