Helgoland: The controversial exchange with Great Britain in 1890

Helgoland: The controversial exchange with Great Britain in 1890

July 1, 1890 was a day that became historically significant for both Heligoland and the German Empire. On this day, the North Sea island was transferred from Great Britain to the German Empire, while in return the United Kingdom received territories in Africa, including Witu Land (modern-day Kenya) and Buganda on Lake Victoria. This was part of the so-called Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, often viewed as a barter deal that governed the geopolitical land claims of the time. NDR reports that Kaiser Wilhelm II personally took possession of the island, which surprised not only the Germans, but also the British colonial lobby. They agreed that Heligoland was of little value compared to the lost colonies.

However, the island's strategic location, about 50 kilometers from the mainland and in the immediate vicinity of the trading cities of Hamburg and Bremen, made it extremely interesting for the German Empire. By acquiring Heligoland, German colonial politicians hoped to expand their naval power and secure control over the waterways of the Weser and Elbe. These geostrategic considerations were expressly supported by Kaiser Wilhelm II, even if the island's military value was considered low in the United Kingdom.

The contract and its background

The treaty that regulated the handover of the island was signed in Berlin on July 1, 1890. At the same time, patronage over Witu passed to the United Kingdom, and the German Empire recognized British patronage over Zanzibar and Pemba. The settlement of territorial and sovereignty claims was of great importance for the colonial powers, especially in view of the imperialist aspirations in Africa. However, many colonial politicians in Berlin were dissatisfied with the exchange because they viewed Heligoland as insignificant compared to the areas that they had to give up on a large scale Wikipedia.

As far as the Heligolanders themselves were concerned, they only played a subordinate role in the negotiations. There were concerns that the islanders did not want to become Germans, which eventually led to tensions and some insecurity among the population. However, the treaty secured some rights for the Helgolanders: they could not pay taxes until 1918, and conscription only applied to those born after July 1, 1890. The existing laws and customs were also protected by paragraph

The Emperor's Reception and the Consequences

The ceremonial handover of Helgoland took place on August 8, 1890, with Kaiser Wilhelm II setting foot on the island on August 10, 1890. A celebration was organized at great expense and Queen Street was named Kaiserstrasse to symbolize the new German rule. Prussian discipline was introduced into the social life of the islanders, which not all residents liked and led to tensions. Heligolanders born before July 1, 1890 were exempt from conscription and could choose between German and British citizenship.

But the history of Helgoland should not only be shaped by this takeover. After the Second World War, in which the island was heavily bombed and used as a bombing site, the evacuated Helgolanders were allowed to return in 1952. The island had been returned to the Federal Republic of Germany, and the last remnants of the political upheavals of the time slowly disappeared into history NDR.