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German Colonial History in the Marianas. Dirk H.R. Spennemann Charles Sturt University. Overview. Colonial Powers Divide the Pacific Imperial Germany a late-comer Germany and the Marianas. Dividing the Pacific. Spain ‘controls’ the Pacific Competitors ‘explore’ the region
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German Colonial History in the Marianas Dirk H.R. Spennemann Charles Sturt University
Overview • Colonial Powers Divide the Pacific • Imperial Germany a late-comer • Germany and the Marianas
Dividing the Pacific • Spain ‘controls’ the Pacific • Competitors ‘explore’ the region • British Interests • develop after European settlement in Australia (1789) • Trade UK-Australia-China-UK • Trade UK-Australia-Polynesia-China-UK • France enters the ‘game’ • USA • US Exploring Expedition 1840 • US Guano Act • Russia • no interest after sale of Alaska & Californian bases
Imperial Germany - Samoa • JC Godeffroy in Samoa in 1850s • Political involvement 1886 onwards • Rivalry with UK and USA • Colony 1900 Samoa Typhoon of 1889
Imperial Germany –New Guinea • Trading Interests late 1870s • Declared Protectorate 1885 • Run as concession company • Run a colony 1898 Administrator’s Quarters, Rabaul
Germany in Micronesia • German Ambitions partly fulfilled: The Marshalls • Adolph Capelle traded there since the 1860s, extending to the Carolines and the Marianas in the 1870s
Germany & the Marianas • Adolph Capelle (Jaluit) traded since the 1870s • Spanish-American War • Germany buys Inselgebiet on 12 February 1899 • Germany takes control on 17 November 1899
Why the Marianas? • Part of Micronesia • Logical extension of the Marshalls • Political/prestige reasons • Just look at a map • Economic reasons • Hope springs eternal
Need more information? • Aurora Australis. The German Period in the Mariana Islands 1899-1914, by Dirk HR Spennemann • The German annexation of the Caroline, Palau and Mariana Islands by Rudolf von Bennigsen • Tiempon Aleman, by Scott Russell OR CONTACT... Associate Professor Dr Dirk HR Spennemann Johnstone Centre, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia E-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au
German Colonial History in the Marianas Dirk H.R. Spennemann Charles Sturt University