Overview of German imperialism in East Africa

Negatives to German Imperialism

Many africans were upset at the germans and revolted against them. An example of this was The Hereo people led by Cheif Samuel Maherero. They were tired heavy taxes and unfair treatment. Germany had much better recourses(more advanced weaponery) and more diciplined soliders. The Germans defeated the Hereo people and sent them into the dry Sandveld of Kalahari away from water and sustenance. This caused the genocyde of the Hereo people.

Recources

http://www.answers.yahoo.com
www.getawaytrips.com
www.about.com/africanhistory
http://www.elateafrica.org
www.learner.org
www.namibian.org

Positives of imperialisation

While the Germans were very hard on the african people they did improve their quality of life. They helped improve their agriculture techniques by showing them new european advances. They also discovered many scientific break throughs. One british foreign officer stated " Progress has been made in scientific work, both in the way of exploration and medical, botanical, and geological research".
Germans also replaced the africans none structured system of education with new structured schools.

Conflicts

Conflicts with Native Africans and Germans occured quickly after the Germans arrival. Germany forced unfair laws on local people. Many were forced to work almost like slaves. The africans didn't like this and one Tribe leader stated " I have listened to your rules but can find no reason to why I should obey you- I would rather die first...I look for some reason why I should obey you and find not the smallest". They also changed their culture by westernizing them through clothing, religion, and food. Germans also ruled by military force using superior weaponry to scare and kill africans.

Under what rule?

German East Africa was under Direct rule because Germans invaded the area and remained their to rule it themselves. Karl Peters was the main german in charge of running the African territories. He believed in severe punishement and often whipped and killed woman to make a point. The african people called him Milkono wa Damu or "the Man with blood on his hands". He made treaties with cheifs in East Africa  to cede territories to him. He helped establish the German East African protectorate of Tanganyilea.

Why did germany imperialized Africa?

Germany followed Britains and Frances example and decided to imperialize Africa. They wanted to be as powerful as Britain, so they did what they did in the hopes of gaining wealth. They also wanted to prevent Britain and France from gaining more wealth so they took their potential land. Africa also had lots of natural recources such as gold, diamonds, tin, phosphate,nickel, iron ore and coal. They also had planted cash crops such as cotton. Africa also provided them with a market to sell goods.

Cultural/Ethnic groups

Two of the largest groups are the Sukuma and the Nyamwezi. Other groups were the Chagga, the Bantu people, the Shirazi, Zamaramo, and the Makonde. Their are dozens more smaller ethnic groups.
Germany controlled seperate regions in teh continent. Togo, Cameroon and Namibia were down the west coast, and Tanzania was in the east.

History of area before Imperialisation

This area is home to some of the oldest human settlements dating back 2-3 million years. 10,000 years ago it was populated by mainly hunters. In the last 2,000 years new basic agricultural techniques and iron working skills were developed.