1884 - The German East Africa Company
The Society for German Colonization (Gesellschaft für Deutsche Kolonisation), was founded on 28 March 1884 in Berlin by Carl Peters (a German explorer, politician and author). This led to the formation of the German East Africa Company (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft - DOAG) with the aim of trading in Africa. In April of the same year, the company leased the coastal strip opposite Zanzibar from Sultan Khalifa bin Said for 50 years. As seen, the flag of the German East Africa Company featured a stylised representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross. The Society for German Colonization (Gesellschaft für Deutsche Kolonisation), was founded on 28 March 1884 in Berlin by Carl Peters (a German explorer, politician and author). This led to the formation of the German East Africa Company (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft - DOAG) with the aim of trading in Africa. In April of the same year, the company leased the coastal strip opposite Zanzibar from Sultan Khalifa bin Said for 50 years. As seen, the flag of the German East Africa Company featured a stylised representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross.
TIMELINE
This is to get a broad chronological understanding of German East Africa, it's position in relation to the wider political situation in Africa, how it was impacted by World War I and where and how it's banknote history fits in with this backdrop. Some interesting information has been linked for further browsing but the banknote related information will be looked into in more detail throughout the website.
1917 - Bush Notes
As the war progressed in German East Africa, the Germans were pushed further south from Daressalam and due to a lack of printing equipment 'bush' notes were produced. For a more in depth look at bush notes, please click on the 'bushnotes' title below or click the back of any of the banknotes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1916 - Interims Issues
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
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1915 - Interims Issues
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
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1914 - World War I
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1912 -
From 1912 to 1918 Schnee served as the last Governor of German East Africa. His tenure was marked by the outbreak of the First World War. As Governor he held supreme military command. However, he soon disagreed with the commander of the Schutztruppe, General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, on defensive strategy. Ultimately von Lettow-Vorbeck prevailed with his guerrilla tactics and increasingly assumed control of operations. Schnee, besides his administrative responsibilities, also had to reconcile his family, and according to Wilhelm Methner, who served under the governorship of Schnee as First Secretary, "the wife of the governor, who was English by birth, suffered the bitter fate of seeing the sons of her fatherland and of her adoptive country in battle against each other. This brave and upright woman had to bear with much hostility".[2] On 2 March 1919, Schnee and Lettow-Vorbeck led the returning fighters from East Africa through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
1905 - Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank
The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905. The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905. The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905.
1891 - German East Africa
The company could only hold Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo with the help of the German navy. In 1889 it had to request the assistance of the German government to put down the rebellion. In 1891, after it became apparent that the company could not handle its dominions, it sold out to the German government, which began to rule German East Africa directly. The company could only hold Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo with the help of the German navy. In 1889 it had to request the assistance of the German government to put down the rebellion. In 1891, after it became apparent that the company could not handle its dominions, it sold out to the German government, which began to rule German East Africa directly.
1885 - Imperial Charter
On 3 March 1885, the German government announced that it had granted an imperial charter, which was signed by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck on 27 February 1885. The charter was granted to Peters' company and was intended to establish a protectorate in the African Great Lakes region. Peters then recruited specialists who began exploring south to the Rufiji River and north to Witu, near Lamu on the coast. In 1890, London and Berlin concluded the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, which returned Heligoland to Germany and decided the border between GEA and the East Africa Protectorate controlled by Britain, although the exact boundaries remained unsurveyed until 1910. the establishment of German East Africa, a territory which eventually comprised the areas of modern Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
1918 - Peace!
Although peace was agreed to in Europe on the 11th of Nov 1918, Lettow Vorbeck etc surrendered only 25th nov 1918 After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
Post war break-up of the colony and the related banknote issues
As the war progressed in German East Africa, the Germans were pushed further south from Daressalam and due to a lack of printing equipment 'bush' notes were produced. For a more in depth look at bush notes, please click on the 'bushnotes' title below or click the back of any of the banknotes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1884 - The German East Africa Company
The Society for German Colonization (Gesellschaft für Deutsche Kolonisation), was founded on 28 March 1884 in Berlin by Carl Peters (a German explorer, politician and author). This led to the formation of the German East Africa Company (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft - DOAG) with the aim of trading in Africa. In April of the same year, the company leased the coastal strip opposite Zanzibar from Sultan Khalifa bin Said for 50 years. As seen, the flag of the German East Africa Company featured a stylised representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross. The Society for German Colonization (Gesellschaft für Deutsche Kolonisation), was founded on 28 March 1884 in Berlin by Carl Peters (a German explorer, politician and author). This led to the formation of the German East Africa Company (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Gesellschaft - DOAG) with the aim of trading in Africa. In April of the same year, the company leased the coastal strip opposite Zanzibar from Sultan Khalifa bin Said for 50 years. As seen, the flag of the German East Africa Company featured a stylised representation of the constellation of the Southern Cross.
1885 - Imperial Charter
On 3 March 1885, the German government announced that it had granted an imperial charter, which was signed by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck on 27 February 1885. The charter was granted to Peters' company and was intended to establish a protectorate in the African Great Lakes region. Peters then recruited specialists who began exploring south to the Rufiji River and north to Witu, near Lamu on the coast. In 1890, London and Berlin concluded the Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty, which returned Heligoland to Germany and decided the border between GEA and the East Africa Protectorate controlled by Britain, although the exact boundaries remained unsurveyed until 1910. the establishment of German East Africa, a territory which eventually comprised the areas of modern Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
1891 - German East Africa
The company could only hold Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo with the help of the German navy. In 1889 it had to request the assistance of the German government to put down the rebellion. In 1891, after it became apparent that the company could not handle its dominions, it sold out to the German government, which began to rule German East Africa directly. The company could only hold Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo with the help of the German navy. In 1889 it had to request the assistance of the German government to put down the rebellion. In 1891, after it became apparent that the company could not handle its dominions, it sold out to the German government, which began to rule German East Africa directly.
1905 - Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank
The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905. The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905. The German East Africa Bank (Deutsch-Ostafrikanische Bank - D.O.A.B, was founded on 15 January 1905 and began operations in Daressalam on the 23rd of June 1905.
1915 - Interims Issues
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1912 -
From 1912 to 1918 Schnee served as the last Governor of German East Africa. His tenure was marked by the outbreak of the First World War. As Governor he held supreme military command. However, he soon disagreed with the commander of the Schutztruppe, General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, on defensive strategy. Ultimately von Lettow-Vorbeck prevailed with his guerrilla tactics and increasingly assumed control of operations. Schnee, besides his administrative responsibilities, also had to reconcile his family, and according to Wilhelm Methner, who served under the governorship of Schnee as First Secretary, "the wife of the governor, who was English by birth, suffered the bitter fate of seeing the sons of her fatherland and of her adoptive country in battle against each other. This brave and upright woman had to bear with much hostility".[2] On 2 March 1919, Schnee and Lettow-Vorbeck led the returning fighters from East Africa through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
1918 - Peace!
Although peace was agreed to in Europe on the 11th of Nov 1918, Lettow Vorbeck etc surrendered only 25th nov 1918 After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
Post war break-up of the colony and the related banknote issues
As the war progressed in German East Africa, the Germans were pushed further south from Daressalam and due to a lack of printing equipment 'bush' notes were produced. For a more in depth look at bush notes, please click on the 'bushnotes' title below or click the back of any of the banknotes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1917 - Bush Notes
As the war progressed in German East Africa, the Germans were pushed further south from Daressalam and due to a lack of printing equipment 'bush' notes were produced. For a more in depth look at bush notes, please click on the 'bushnotes' title below or click the back of any of the banknotes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
1916 - Interims Issues
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
TIMELINE
This is to get a broad chronological understanding of German East Africa, it's position in relation to the wider political situation in Africa, how it was impacted by World War I and where and how it's banknote history fits in with this backdrop. Some interesting information has been linked for further browsing but the banknote related information will be looked into in more detail throughout the website.
1914 - World War I
After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown. After the start of WW1 the colony of GEA ustilised the notes as much as possible till hoarding started. The DOAB authorised printing of notes which they considered 'Interims' indicating they were expecting the war to end soon. This is a simplistic expalnation, however, if you would like to know about this in greater detail please click on the 'interims issues' headings below or click on the back of any of the notes shown.
