German merchants, banks, and coffee in Belle Époque Brazil

Abstract

This paper explores the critical role of German merchants and banks in Brazil’s coffee industry during the Belle Époque. By 1913, Brazil supplied 80% of the world’s coffee, thanks to strategic foreign involvement, particularly from Germany. German banks, notably the Brasilianische Bank für Deutschland, provided essential financing and market stability. Key findings highlight that German merchants, like Theodor Wille, established robust trading networks, while German banks outpaced their British counterparts in long-term engagement and trade finance.