Helgoland becomes German: the historical colonial exchange from 1890!

Helgoland becomes German: the historical colonial exchange from 1890!

On July 1, 1890, something unexpected in the North Sea happened: The picturesque island of Helgoland, which had been Danish since 1714 and was claimed by the British in 1807, changed hands. In exchange against colonial areas in Africa, the German Empire took over the strategically important island, which lies in front of the mouths of the Elbe and Weser rivers and in the immediate vicinity of the Wilhelmshaven naval base. NDR reports on the background of this contract.

The contract, signed by Reich Chancellor Leo von Caprivi and the British ambassador, will enter into the history books as the Helgoland Sansibar contract, even if this term is misleading. Great Britain receives areas in Africa, including Witu-Land in Kenya and Buganda around Lake Victoria. By the way, the British patronage over Zanzibar is also recognized. A business with far -reaching consequences, not only for the affected countries, but also for the islanders themselves.

The role of Helgoland

For the Helgoland itself, this exchange meant a restriction of their political participation. Her role in the negotiations was rather subordinate, and many English newspapers even called for a referendum on the future of the islanders, which mainly lived from fishing and tourism. According to paragraph XII, 4 of the contract, the existing laws and habits of the Helgoländer could be maintained. Until 1918 they were even freed from tax liability, and military service was only considered to be born after 1890.

The British, however, assessed the military value of the island as low. They were ready to add them to more valuable colonial areas in exchange, which was disappointed by the German colonialists. These formed and founded an association for promoting imperialist expansion. In that they saw an opportunity to promote German colonial policy, even if the exchange did not meet their expectations.

The official handover

The ceremonial handover of Helgoland finally took place on August 8, 1890, with Kaiser Wilhelm II as a guest of honor. The Queen Street was then renamed Kaiserstrasse, and the German Navy occupied the island. Wilhelm's move -in marked a significant moment in German history, even if the island remained competitive until 1952, especially during the First and Second World War.

The Helgoländer born before July 1, 1890 had the choice between German and British citizenship, which gave them a certain freedom. But the feeling of uncertainty remained. With the bombing in World War II and the associated destruction of the island, Helgoland has had an eventful story that still wears its traces today.

British rule over Helgoland finally ended in 1952 when the island was returned to the Federal Republic of Germany. A chapter that is still present in the heads of the islanders and shapes the connection between Germany and this unique North Sea island.