The German colonial empire (German: deutsches Kolonialreich) constituted the overseas colonies, dependencies, and territories of the German Empire. Unified in 1871, the chancellor of this time period was Otto von Bismarck. Short-lived attempts at colonization by individual German states had occurred in preceding centuries, but Bismarck resisted pressure to construct a colonial empire until the Scramble for Africa in 1884. Claiming much of the remaining uncolonized areas of Africa, Germany built the third-largest colonial empire at the time, after the British and French.
German consul-general Gustav Nachtigal takes possession of Cameroon
The German colonial empire (German: deutsches Kolonialreich) constituted the overseas colonies, dependencies, and territories of the German Empire.
Historical Significance
The German colonial empire (German: deutsches Kolonialreich) constituted the overseas colonies, dependencies, and territories of the German Empire.
Events Before
The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jers
The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey
Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club
Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club
US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas
US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas
Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland
Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland
Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 3
Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 36,000 people
Events After
King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as his personal colonial possession
From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.
Mark Twain publishes "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the US
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a picaresque novel by American author Mark Twain that was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885.
Berlin Conference gives Congo to Belgium and Nigeria to the United Kingdom
From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.
W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "The Mikado" premieres in London at the Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J.
American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New Yo
American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New York City, becoming Edith Wharton; divorce in 1913
More from the 1880s
The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., to promote "the increase and diffusion of geographic kno
The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C., to promote "the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge" [1]
The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jers
The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey
American painter Thomas Eakins (40) weds American painter and photographer Susan Macdowell (32) in a Quaker ceremony in
American painter Thomas Eakins (40) weds American painter and photographer Susan Macdowell (32) in a Quaker ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until his death in 1916
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass marries his second wife suffragist Helen Pitts
Abolitionist Frederick Douglass marries his second wife suffragist Helen Pitts
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on July 5, 1884?
- The German colonial empire (German: deutsches Kolonialreich) constituted the overseas colonies, dependencies, and territories of the German Empire. Unified in 1871, the chancellor of this time period was Otto von Bismarck. Short-lived attempts at colonization by individual German states had occurred in preceding centuries, but Bismarck resisted pressure to construct a colonial empire until the Scramble for Africa in 1884.
- Why is German consul-general Gustav Nachtigal takes possession of Cameroon significant?
- The German colonial empire (German: deutsches Kolonialreich) constituted the overseas colonies, dependencies, and territories of the German Empire.