German East Africa year 1901 – 1 Rupie MH stamp

German East Africa year 1901 – 1 Rupie MH stamp

German East Africa was a colonial territory of the German Empire from the late 19th century until the end of World War I. It encompassed a vast area in East Africa, including what are now the countries of Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The territory was established in the 1880s when German explorers and traders began to establish footholds in the region.

German East Africa consisted of several administrative regions, including:

1. Tanganyika: This was the largest and most significant part of German East Africa, covering much of present-day Tanzania. It included major cities such as Dar es Salaam (the capital), Tanga, and Kilwa.
2. Ruanda-Urundi: This region comprised the territories that are now Burundi and Rwanda. It was administered as a single entity by the Germans.
3. The coastal areas: The Germans also controlled the coastal regions of what is now Tanzania, including the island of Zanzibar.

German East Africa was primarily administered for economic exploitation, with the Germans establishing plantations for cash crops such as sisal, coffee, and cotton. They also built infrastructure such as railways and ports to facilitate trade and transport within the territory.

The colonial rule in German East Africa was characterized by exploitation, forced labor, and resistance from local populations. During World War I, the territory was invaded by British and Belgian forces, leading to its eventual collapse as a German colony. After the war, the territory was divided among the Allied powers, with Britain taking control of Tanganyika and Belgium taking control of Ruanda-Urundi.