This text uncovers a forgotten campaign of the First World War, the fight to dominate South America. It tells how, propelled by the fear and energy of British businessmen, Britain created a complex economic war against local Germans, with the aim of permanently over turning German dominance in lucrative avenues of international trade.

The rise of the Anglo-German antagonism in South America, 1900-14 -- "What sort of patriotism is this?" Demanding changes to the British war, August 1914 -- December 1915 -- The British government redefines Germanness -- The "ceaseless vigil": compiling the Statutory Blacklist -- Fighting a "constructive" war -- Cloaks, Turks, the Octopus, and other Undesirables: travails of the trade warriors in South America -- How the economic war shaped South American engagement in the World War -- Attempting to bring Greater Britain into the post-war -- Conclusion: remembering the Great War in South America.