A Place in the Sun

The Kaiser's Place in the Sun Speech

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany: Speech to the North German Regatta Association, 1901

Original [translated] version: In spite of the fact that we have no such fleet as we should have, we have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun. It will now be my task to see to it that this place in the sun shall remain our undisputed possession, in order that the sun's rays may fall fruitfully upon our activity and trade in foreign parts, that our industry and agriculture may develop within the state and our sailing sports upon the water, for our future lies upon the water. The more Germans go out upon the waters, whether it be in races or regattas, whether it be in journeys across the ocean, or in the service of the battle flag, so much the better it will be for us.

Source: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1901kaiser.html

Simplified language version: We don't have a big navy like we should. However, we have still won ourselves a 'place in the sun.' (He means here that Germany has still become a very powerful country – 'We have managed to get a few colonies'). It's my job to see that we keep that place in the sun so that the sun can shine fruitfully. (He means here that Germany must be able to trade a lot with foreign countries.) Our future lies here on the sea. We want to see lots of Germans go out to sea in races or regattas or journeys across the oceans or to fight. This would be good for us.

Note that when the Kaiser talks about 'a place in the sun' he isn't only talking about owning colonies. He is also talking about having respect from other countries. He wants other countries to listen to Germany's opinions and accept its decisions, too.

Questions

'… a place in the sun.' He means that Germany should be powerful. Is this evidence of nationalism?

'…journeys across the oceans' maybe here he means to go and get a big empire with lots of colonies. Is this evidence of imperialism?

'….to fight' he means to go to war. Is this evidence of militarism?