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MimicThatThing — Map of Africa: 1930 (World War I - German Victory)

#africa #map #mittelafrika #alternatehistory #colonialism #worldwar1 #germanempire
Published: 2017-10-23 13:23:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 6757; Favourites: 40; Downloads: 38
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    The French and Belgians being stripped of their African colonies had been planned by the Germans decades prior to the Great War. The creation of Mittelafrika was imperative to German diplomats at the peace conference in Frankfurt in order move the German economy towards self sustainability. Though German military campaigns in Africa had seen mixed success during the war, but victory in continental Europe provided assurance that the Entente would cave to many of their demands.

    France and Belgium, currently under occupation, saw now choice but to relinquish control of their colonies; the British on the other hand were much less cooperative. Situated safely across the English Channel, they were in a position to refuse German territorial demands. Infact, most of Germany's overseas colonies were underneath their control when the armistice was called.

    The German Empire's hope to take control of all of West Africa from the Entente -- leaving the French with the wasteland that is the Sahara Desert -- was crushed with the United Kingdom’s refusal to cede Nigeria, or any colony for that matter, leaving Germany somewhat disappointed in regards to its overseas territorial gains, although hegemony over mainland Europe made up for it.

    However as relations between the German Empire and the United Kingdom improved during the following decade, mainly due to the British Commonwealth strengthening economic ties with the Mitteleuropa Block, the Germans approached the British in 1926 with an offer to purchase North Rhodesia, wishing to link German Southwest Africa with the other colonies. The British accepted the proposal and transferred to region to Germany. They then renamed the area “Vorbeckland” in honor of German General and the so-called “Lion-of-Africa” Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck who led an incursion into the region during the Great War.

    Up until the onset of the Great Depression in July 1928, Germany was pouring significant amounts of money and resources into its Mittelafrika colonies in order boost economic output long-term. This actually raised the standard of living in some parts higher than anywhere else in the continent. Though now, with the global economic downturn, policy has shifted towards solely supporting the mother country at the expense of the native population, greatly angering them. This has begun to fuel rebel movements, specifically in the deep interior of the continent.

    Meanwhile, in West Africa, the French Republicans continue to make preparations for an invasion by the Imperial French government. They continue to plead with the British, Italians, and Americans to come to their aid when troops begin to land on their shores, however these countries refuse to make any firm commitments to defend the Free French, hoping to avoid drawing in the German Empire and escalating the conflict.


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