Kaufleute als Konsuln – Zu den Anfängen deutscher Handelsdiplomatie in Ostasien im 19. Jahrhundert

Abstract

Abstract From the 1840s onwards, German merchants increasingly settled in China, Japan and other countries in East Asia and at the same time took on consular duties for their home cities and countries. They remained primarily independent entrepreneurs, but also acted as state representatives, which could lead to considerable tensions. The article explores for whom the activities of merchant consuls in the two spheres of business and politics proved especially useful, what typical conflicts they encountered, and how these conflicts were resolved. The aim is to give a general overview of the activities of German merchant consuls in East Asia before the founding of the German Empire and at the same time to stimulate increased interest in the merchants of the 19th century from the perspective of modern business history.