Description: Shipping from Europe with tracking number / 98mm-56mm mm,Bronze ,Belgium mint by WitterwulcheIn August 1914, Ruanda (later Rwanda) and Urundi (later Burundi) were provinces of German East Africa. Their position in the northwest corner of the German colony along Lake Tanganyika and at the confluence of various rivers, as well as being part of the Great Rift Valley, meant that the territories were extremely fertile and densely populated, with 1.5 million people in Urundi and 3 million in Ruanda. The colonising countries Germany, Britain and Belgium all sought to control the territories. Occupation would allow Britain to complete the Cape Town to Cairo railway line, which had been started by Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902) and taken on by imperialists as a sign of British power.1 For the Germans, continued occupation would thwart Britain’s imperial desires, whilst the Belgians would have German territory to swap for German-occupied Belgian territory at the end of the war.Colonial Conflicts in East Africa during the WarInitial German ExpansionAccording to the 1885 Berlin Treaty, the area was meant to remain neutral in the event of war. However, confusion created by the outbreak of World War I provided an opportunity to occupy territory in neighbouring areas. This was mainly the case in German East Africa, where the Germans extended control into Belgian territory. The Germans’ control of Lake Tanganyika and dominance in the Kivu region deterred the Belgians from attacking. In addition, despite their limited numbers (eleven civil servants and forty soldiers), the Germans maintained the allegiance of the local chiefs, such as Yuhi V Musinga, Mwami of Rwanda (1883-1944) in Ruanda, who supplied them with labour and produce as needed.2 Supported by the Germans, who relied on his loyalty, Musinga in turn used the war to attempt to consolidate his power; however, his people attempted to overthrow him and his court representatives. This led to unrest in the area and caused Musinga’s subjects to support the Belgian invasion during 1916.
Price: 300 USD
Location: Petach Tikva
End Time: 2025-01-07T21:45:55.000Z
Shipping Cost: 20 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Type: Medal
Composition: Bronze
Country/Region of Manufacture: Finland
