Germany+and+Africa

= Germany & Africa = by Alida, Lauren, Emily, and Sam



**Why Germany began its policy of Imperialism:** Certain countries may find it necessary to imperialize lands and areas for many reasons. These reasons include the need for natural resources that Africa supplied through good mining and farming, the beliefs of social Darwinism, humanitarian beliefs, political and military advancement such as new weapons, economic interest; etc. Germany began its policy of imperialism This is an incomplete idea.

**The countries in Africa that were being taken over:** The countries in Africa that were imperialized by Germany were the Cameroons, German South-west Africa, and New Guinea.

**Why the territory was targeted to be taken over:** ====Germany established, took over, and imperialized the Cameroons, German South-west Africa, and New Guinea (all in Africa). One reason why those territories were being targeted for takeover is because since Germany was made of imperialism and a new state, their example and influence of how to be a country came from France and Britain, which both had empires in Africa. Since this was the case, it made Germany believe that colonies were a good thing. Also, Germany assumed that France and Britain wouldn’t want to waste their time or energy fighting against them for areas in Africa that were not as profitable as others. Finally, Germany thought that if they had colonies, they would be as dominant as France and England. “Germany simply wanted to get ahead.” (Schuller). All of Germany’s imperialism that led to scramble for colonies, disagreements, outbreaks/fights, and getting in trouble with England benefited them because it improved their relationship with France. Another way it benefited was more trade routes were formed through new agreements and treaties between the Africans and Germans and the population in the African countries increased. That concludes why Germany wanted to take over Africa. ====

**The type of rule being exercised:** The rule by Bismarck in the Cameroons, German South-west Africa, and New Guinea all were indirect rule. Bismarck sent soldiers and officers to the places in Africa and ordered them to administer, make laws for the annexed land, and rule the territories/colonies. Though Bismarck also established protectorates, even though it upset the balance of Europe. One of the rules Bismarck wanted to be followed was that private money should be used rather then public money and taxes to develop the colonies. Bismarck was not very good at foreign policy, which is why Kaiser Wilhelm dismissed him later in the African Imperialism. "Prince Bismarck was personally opposed to German colonization...” said Lord Sanderson (Schuller), but even though this was true, Bismarck would still do anything to make Germany stronger. Bismarck seemed like he ruled through direct rule, indirect is when Bismarck would make the laws and people from that particular territory would enforce them.

**The Obstacles to Control:** There were many obstacles to control during the imperialization of Africa. The first one would be that many other countries also wanted Africa, such as Belgium, France, and Great Britain. There were a great number of fights and battles over parts of Africa, as well as fights against Africa due to slavery and racism. There were also many conflicts with France and Britain. Germany expanded its influence, and was able to imperialize Africa, something that France and Britain did not see coming. "Terrified that Germany was going to take over Africa, and in that sense the rest of Europe, Britain and French nationalist demanded more aggressive imperialism by their mother countries." (Silva, How Germany Scrambled Africa) Before long, Germany had taken over the Cameroons, German Southwest Africa, and New Guinea. As surprising as it may sound, France and Britain were the main causes of Germany's imperialism. During this time period, Europe was pretty much just claimed and distributed, so different people each had their own section, or colony. It seemed logical for Africa to be separated into colonies to France and Britain, because it would be a good way to import and export resources throughout the countries. Germany was not much into foreign policy, and neither was Bismarck, which was one of the reasons why Kaiser Wilhelm II dismissed him. Mainly the only reason why Germany wanted to imperialize Africa was so they could prove themselves, and be ahead of France and Britain.

**The end results of Imperialism with regards to Germany and the countries in Africa that were being taken over:** Many of the results of imperialism on the people of Africa are yet to be seen (Guiler 2). However, Germany did meet resistance in the Herero and Yao peoples in East Africa (Ellis and Esler 626). In the case of the Herero, the German theft of their native land, European racism against native peoples, and the effects of the cattle plague on the agricultural economy led to warlike attacks on the Germans (The Germans in South West Africa). German commander General Von Trotha retaliated brutally, beginning what would be called "the first genocide of the twentieth century" (The Germans in South West Africa). He forced tens of thousands of Herero to the Kalahari desert, where many of them died from starvation (The Germans in South West Africa). In many other cases, the Germans burned farmland, leaving thousands to die of starvation to suppress the local peoples (Ellis and Esler 626). It is hard to know what specific German influences remain in Africa today because, after World War I, the German colonies were divided between Belgium, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan (German Colonial Empire). Kamerun and Togoland were divided between Britain and France, while Britain also received Ruanda-Urundi in German East Africa (German Colonial Empire). Portugal gained the Kionga Triangle and German South West Africa was annexed to the Union of South Africa (German Colonial Empire). Despite the many unknowns, Germany did build many roads, school, hospitals and other institutions, many of which benefited the African nations and remain to this day (Guiler 1). It is hard to say what end results of imperialism remain in German African ex-colonies, but the Germans did succeed in crushing the Herero and Yao peoples and built many schools, roads, and hospitals in their colonies.

Works Cited-
//Information-//

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"German Colonial Empire." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 24 Nov. 2010. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. . =====

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Guiler, Derek R. "Imperialism in Africa." Suite101.com: Online Magazine an﻿d Writers' Network. 25 Nov. 2000. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/colonial_legacies/53451/2>. =====

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Silva, Brett N. "Brett Silva's Homepage." Chico Unified School District - CUSD Main - CUSD Homepage - CUSD Homepage. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/index.html>.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"German South-West Africa." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 26 Nov. 2010. Web. 29 Nov. 2010. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_South-West_Africa>.

Schuller, Lisanne. "Imperialism in Africa." //Chico Unified School District - CUSD Main - CUSD Homepage - CUSD Homepage//. 26 Mar. 2004. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cusd.chico.k12.ca.us/~bsilva/projects/imperialism/schuller.htm>.

//Pictures-//

Monsfield, Lizza. "German-flag." //Renewable Fuels Regulators Club//. 12 May 1997. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.refurec.org/upcoming-meeting-9-10-sept-in-bonn-germany/german-flag11/>.

Lastine, Anna. "Imperialism in Africa - Discussion and Encyclopedia Article. Who Is Imperialism in Africa? What Is Imperialism in Africa? Where Is Imperialism in Africa? Definition of Imperialism in Africa. Meaning of Imperialism in Africa." //Welcome to Knowledgerush//. 21 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Imperialism_in_Africa/>.

I edited the Map photo on this website: Editor, Picnik Photo. //Picnik - Photo Editing the Easy Way, Online in Your Browser//. //Picnik//. 12 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.picnik.com/home>.

Ellis, Elisabeth Gaynor. Esler, Anthony. "World History- Connections to Today." Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, Inc.; 2001. page 623- map.