Four new Third Reich postcards from 1937. Partial "Reichsparteitag in Nürnberg" set.
Quatro novos postais do Terceiro Reich emitidos em 1937. Parte da série com a temática "Reichsparteitag in Nürnberg".
Showing posts with label Third Reich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Third Reich. Show all posts
Jun 28, 2013
Germany on Stamps: Third Reich Postcards
Four new Third Reich postcards from 1937. Partial "Reichsparteitag in Nürnberg" set.
Jun 17, 2013
Germany on Stamps: New Third Reich Postcards
Two Third Reich postcards from Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Dois postais do Terceiro Reich, comemorativos dos Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno em Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Jan 29, 2013
Germany On Stamps: Two Third Reich Letters
Two Third Reich letters with 1937 "Winter Welfare - Ships" complete set.
Duas cartas do Terceiro Reich com a série "Auxílio de Inverno - Navios" completa.
Dec 2, 2012
Germany On Stamps: 1936 Third Reich Stamps
Sheet from Third Reich with Stamps from 1936 Olympic Games.
Página do Terceiro Reich com Selos comemorativos dos Jogos Olímpicos Munique em 1936.
Nov 4, 2012
Germany On Stamps: New Third Reich Stamps
Nova Série completa do Terceiro Reich (1934). Esta série apresenta duas figuras importantes dos pioneiros da aviação, Ferdinand von Zeppelin e Otto Lilienthal.
Oct 15, 2012
The Third Reich: General History
THE THIRD REICH
After the First Reich (or Holy Roman Empire), from 962 to 1806, and the Second Reich, from 1871 to 1918, and mainly because the humiliation which led to the fall of Emperor Wilhelm II at the end of World War I and all the impositions that the German nation had to accept unconditionally, Adolf Hitler nurtured the dream of a Third Reich, which ends up imposing in 1933, after the rise to power of his National Socialist Party, which won the electoral supremacy during the political disorder that followed the economic crisis of 1929-1930, which creates instability and favour the emergence of extremism.
Founded in 1919, in the aftermath of the humiliating Treaty of Versailles of that year - by which Germany is obliged to pay war damages to the Allies, to reduce its military and abandon the colonies -, the Nazi Party of Hitler, after the failed uprising 1923, decides to gain power through legal means. However, the relative prosperity and stability that Germany knows between 1924 and 1929 gives poor results for the Nazis elections.
Are Hitler's promises to overcome the severe economic crisis of the Great Depression, the repudiation of the Treaty of Versailles ("a stab in the back of Germany," he said) and the defence of German rearmament gradually to appeal to the electorate. In 1932, there was already the most representative party formation with a seat in the Reichstag (parliament), gained force with the appointment, the following year, Hitler as a chancellor, by Marshal Hindenburg.
Immediately, Hitler prepares to impose the dictatorship, abolishing the constitution of the Weimar Republic (1919-33) and all political parties except his own, passing to control the justice, media, security forces and education. Also leaves the League of Nations and the disarmament conference, reactivating the compulsory military service.
In Germany, opponents were murdered, declared or suspected; "purge" even the Nazi party, imprisoning them in concentration camps that were not settled; witnessing the flight of many Germans. The military corps of the party (SA, Sturmabteilung, and SS, Schutzstaffel) and its police (Gestapo) imposed a climate of torture and terror. With the death of Hindenburg in 1934, Hitler declares itself as der Führer (the leader), joining the presidency and the foreign ministry in his person. Political resistance disappears; many follow him, animated by its program of economic reconstruction (roads, war industry and similar to, self-sufficiency ...).
The objectives of Hitler were related to the imposition of German superiority affirmed the principle that other peoples were inferior, especially Jews (in fact, held the German economic structure, coveted by the Nazis to ensure economic reconstruction), the Slavs, Gypsies and other non-Germanic peoples. Within this framework of action, advocated the creation of a "living space" (Lebensraum) for German people, found the formula to justify the expansionism of the Reich, including in the East.
Anti-Semitism was another facet of this policy, by which Germany intended to "cleanse" the country. Thus, Hitler, in 1933, orders the expulsion of Jews from government positions. The persecution that moves them unreal outlines affects from 1935, with the abolition of citizenship rights and the flight of nearly 500 000 Jews from the country (where circulating properly identified by a yellow Star of David).
On November 9, 1938, groups will burn down the synagogues and destroy the business of the Jews, a night that has become known as the 'Night of Broken Glass' (Kristallnacht), or 'broken glass'.
At the same time, Hitler and Nazi Germany were preparing for war. Clearly violating the Treaty of Versailles of 1919, occupy the Rhineland in 1936, signing a pact with Mussolini's fascist Italy and an anti-communist agreement with the Japanese, forming, with these three nations, the Axis Rome-Berlin-Tokyo.
In March 1938, the Germans occupied Austria, attaching it to the Reich (Anschluss). That same year, they were able to occupy the Czech region, most of Germany, the Sudetenland, with the consent of England and France (Munich Agreements). What remained of Czechoslovakia is dismembered in the next year, with the German protectorate of Bohemia-Moravia tax.
In August 1939, the Reich gets more of its diplomatic hoaxes, with the agreement with USSR to its neutrality if one of the countries involved in war, and also agrees, but secretly, with the division of Poland and much of Eastern Europe between them.
On the first day of next month, however, the Germans forced the Polish border and march on Danzig, whose "corridor" wanted to join the conquering East Prussia, which triggers the Second World War (whose history is inseparable from the Hitler regime). The Third Reich was defeated and completely destroyed in the conflict, despite dominating scathingly until 1941 (Blitzkrieg).
Declaring war on several European powers, in turn, and then to USA, suffer tremendous setbacks on the Russian front: Nazi Germany is losing military strength (particularly with the Allied bombings of the country from 1943), being harassed for their borders and ending to surrender unconditionally in 1945, but after losing former territories and redefining its borders (Yalta and Potsdam agreements).
During this period of 1939-1945, the anti-Semitism is raised beyond the imaginable, are perpetrating acts of perfect insanity from about six million Jewish victims of Nazi concentration camps (Holocaust), along with more than five million Germans killed, not counting the wounded and missing, and all the brutal destruction of the country and much of Europe and the world.
Jul 22, 2012
Germany on Stamps: Frederick, The Great
KING FREDERICK, THE GREAT
(24 January 1712 - 17 August 1786)
Frederick II was a King in Prussia (1740–1786) from the Hohenzollern dynasty. In his role as a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, he was Frederick IV (Friedrich IV) of Brandenburg. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel and became known as "Frederick the Great" (Friedrich der Große) and was nicknamed "der alte Fritz" (Old Fritz).
Frederick was born in Berlin, the son of King Frederick William I of Prussia and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. The so-called Soldier-King, Frederick William had developed a formidable army and encouraged centralization, but was also known for his authoritarianism and temper. In contrast, Sophia was well-mannered and well-educated. Her father, George, Elector of Hanover, was the heir of Queen Anne of Great Britain.
Interested primarily in music and philosophy and not the arts of war during his youth, Frederick unsuccessfully attempted to flee from his authoritarian father, Frederick William I, with childhood friend, Hans Hermann von Katte, whose execution he was forced to watch after they had been captured.
Frederick served at Prussian Army as Colonel of the Regiment von der Goltz, stationed near Nauen and Neuruppin. When Prussia provided a contingent of troops to aid Austria during the War of the Polish Succession, Frederick served under Prince Eugene of Savoy, during the campaign against France, on the Rhine.
In 1739, Frederick finished his "Anti-Machiavel", an idealistic refutation of Machiavelli. It was published anonymously in 1740, but Voltaire distributed it in Amsterdam to great popularity. Frederick's years dedicated to the arts instead of politics ended upon the 1740 death of Frederick William and his inheritance of the Kingdom of Prussia.
When Frederick ascended the throne as "King in Prussia" in 1740, Prussia consisted of scattered territories, including Cleves, Mark, and Ravensberg in the west of the Holy Roman Empire; Brandenburg, Hither Pomerania, and Farther Pomerania in the east of the Empire; and the former Duchy of Prussia, outside of the Empire bordering the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He was titled King in Prussia because this was only part of historic Prussia; he was to declare himself King of Prussia after acquiring most of the rest in 1772.
Frederick structured their predecessor's army. In 1740 Frederick invaded Silesia, seizing the moment in which Austria was particularly vulnerable. It was the beginning of the Austrian Succession War. Shortly after, Prussia and Austria signed a secret treaty of peace that recognized the achievements of Frederick II and allowed the Austrian army to retreat to Moravia.
The Austrian Succession War confirmed the possession of Silesia by the Prussian king. In 1744, Frederick invaded Bohemia but, was not the expected success. Exhausted, his army retreated to Silesia where he obtains three decisive victories. After those victories, Frederick established the "Treaty of Dresden", with Austria and Saxony, in 1745. In half a century, Prussia has tripled its population due to the acquisition of Silesia, by this treaty.
Victorious, would soon feel threatened by the creation of a coalition formed by Austria and Russia. Allying itself with Britain, eventually preemptively invade Saxony in 1756, beginning the Seven Year's War.
Frederick successfully resisted the combined efforts of France, Austria and Russia. During this conflict, his kingdom was attacked from all sides and Berlin was occupied twice by enemy troops.
Frederick won great victories, like the battles of Rossbach, Leuthen and Prague. He is considered one of the greatest military leaders in history.
Out with Prussia, Frederick was saved by the death of the Russian empress and the ascent to the throne of Czar Peter III, who admired him. Ended the conflict, with perseverance reorganized its states, which were weakened by the war.
Frederick managed to transform Prussia from a European backwater to an economically strong and politically reformed state. Frederick was able to give Prussia a modern bureaucracy and a system of education was seen as one of Europe's finest. Frederick also abolished torture and corporal punishment.
Frederick died in an armchair in his study in the palace of Sanssouci on 17 August 1786.
Germany on Stamps: Henrich Schutz
COMPOSER HEINRICH SCHÜTZ
(October 8 (Julian calendar), 1585 – November 6, 1672)
Heinrich Schütz, born in Köstritz and was a German composer and organist, generally regarded as the most important German composer before Johann Sebastian Bach and often considered to be one of the most important composers of the 17th century along with Claudio Monteverdi. He wrote what is thought to be the first German opera, Dafne, performed at Torgau in 1627, of which the music has since been lost. He is commemorated as a musician in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church on July 28 with Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Schütz Life
In 1590 Schütz family moved to Weißenfels, Germany, where his father Christoph managed the inn "Zum Ring". When Schütz lived with his parents, his musical talents were discovered by Moritz von Hessen-Kassel in 1599.
After being a choir-boy he went on to study law at Marburg before going to Venice from 1609–1612 to study music with Giovanni Gabrieli. Gabrieli is the only person Schütz ever referred to as being his teacher. He also inherited a ring from Gabrieli shortly before the latter's death. He subsequently had a short stint as organist at Kassel before moving to Dresden in 1615 to work as court composer to the Elector of Saxony.
In Dresden Schütz sowed the seeds of what is now the "Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden" (Dresden State Orchestra), but left there on several occasions. In 1628, he went to Venice again, where he met and studied with Claudio Monteverdi.
In 1633 he was invited to Copenhagen to compose the music for wedding festivities there, eventually returning to Dresden in 1635. He again conducted an extended visit to Denmark in 1641. In 1655, the year that his daughter Euphrosyne died, he accepted an ex officio post as Kapellmeister (person in charge of music-making) at Wolfenbüttel, Germany.
Schütz died in Dresden from a stroke in 1672 at the age of 87. He was buried in the Dresden Frauenkirche but his tomb has been destroyed.
Schütz style
Schütz's compositions show the influence of his teacher Gabrieli and of Monteverdi. His best known works are in the field of sacred music, ranging from solo voice with instrumental accompaniment to a cappella choral music, which is the vocal music without instrumental accompaniment.
Practical considerations were certainly responsible for part of this change: the Thirty Years' War had devastated the musical infrastructure of Germany, and it was no longer practical or even possible to put on the gigantic works in the Venetian style which marked his earlier period.
Schütz was one of the last composers to write in a modal style. His harmonies often result from the contrapuntal alignment of voices rather than from any sense of "harmonic motion". Much of his music shows a strong tonal pull when approaching cadences.
Almost no secular music by Schütz has survived, save for a few domestic songs and no purely instrumental music at all, even though he had a reputation as one of the finest organists in Germany.
Schütz was of great importance in bringing new musical ideas to Germany from Italy, and as such had a large influence on the German music which was to follow. The style of the north German organ school derives largely from Schütz.
Schütz major's works
There are over 500 total surviving individual pieces by Schütz.
Most of these contain multiple pieces of music; single published works are listed in the complete work list, as are major unpublished works such as the Seven Last Words, and the Passions according Matthew, Luke and John.
The following are major published works:
- Il primo libro de madrigali (first book of madrigals) (opus 1, Venice, 1611)
- Psalmen Davids (Book 1) (opus 2, Dresden, 1619
- Historia der... Aufferstehung... (The Resurrection) (opus 3, Dresden, 1623)
- Cantiones sacrae (opus 4, Freiburg im Breisgau, 1625)
- Becker Psalter (opus 5, Freiburg im Breisgau, 1628, revised 1661)
- Symphoniae sacrae (Book 1) (opus 6, Venice, 1629)
- Musikalische Exequien (opus 7, Dresden, 1636)
- Kleine geistliche Konzerte (Book 1) (opus 8, Leipzig, 1636)
- Kleine geistliche Konzerte (Book 2) (opus 9, Leipzig, 1639)
- Symphoniae sacrae (Book 2) (opus 10, Dresden, 1647)
- Geistliche Chor-Music (opus 11, Dresden, 1648)
- Symphoniae sacrae (Book 3) (opus 12, Dresden, 1650)
- Zwölf geistliche Gesänge (opus 13, Dresden, 1657)
- Historia, der... Geburt... Jesu Christi (The Nativity), (Dresden, 1664)
- Königs und Propheten 119er Psalm... (Psalm 119, Psalm 100, and German Magnificat: "Swan Song") ("opus ultimum" (the last work), Dresden, 1671)
Jul 11, 2012
Germany on Stamps: Nuremberg Castle
NUREMBERG CASTLE
Nuremberg Castle is a historical building on a sandstone rock in the north of the historical city of Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany. It comprises three sections: the imperial castle ("Kaiserburg"), some buildings of the Bur graves of Nuremberg ("Burggrafenburg"), and the municipal buildings of the Imperial City at the eastern site ("Reichsstädtische Bauten").
After the damage in the Second World War the castle was rebuilt in historical forms. It counts in its historical character as a defensive structure and residence of the emperors, imperial castle Hohenzollern Burggraf and to the historically and architecturally based major military installations in Europe. Related to Nuremberg is regarded as one of the most important art and architectural monuments of the city and belongs to the Historical Mile Nuremberg.
Brief History
Archaeological investigations during recent days indicate that the place was already settled around the year 1000, although this has not been backed up by any documentary proof. Nuremberg was first recorded in 1050, when Henry III visited the town, but there is no specific mention of the castle. The castle does not appear in any documents until 1105.
In 1140, King Conrad III started building a second castle on the site, to be used as a royal residence.
In the 13th century, Nuremberg became an Imperial Free City, and the castle fell into the care of the city. Of all the parts of the castle built during this time, the Luginsland Tower ("watch-over-the-land" Tower), begun in 1377, stands out.
Legend has it that in 1381, the robber baron Eppelein von Gailingen escaped death on the gallows when his horse leapt into the castle moat. It is said that at this certain place the imprints of his horse's hoofs are still visible in the fortification wall.
In the second quarter of the 19th century, measures were taken to preserve the buildings.
After the Nazis seized power in 1933 the conversion began in the Imperial Castle. The Imperial Castle served as part of the annual party rallies. It was the symbolic backdrop for the Nazi regime as well as accommodation for high state visitors.
In World War II, the castle was damaged in 1944-45, with only the Roman double chapel and the Sinwell Tower remaining entirely intact. After the war, the castle was restored to its historical form, including the Luginsland tower which had been completely destroyed. The additions of the 19th century have been partly removed in 1934-35.
Today, the eastern municipal buildings of the castle, "Kaiserstallung" and "Luginsland", are used as a youth hostel.
Germany on Stamps: Composer Georg Händel
GEORG FRIEDRICH HÄNDEL
(23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759)
Georg Friedrich Händel born in Halle in the Duchy of Magdeburg (province of Brandenburg-Prussia) was a German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, anthems and organ concertos.
He received critical musical training in Halle, Hamburg and Italy before settling in London (1712) and becoming a naturalized British subject in 1727. By then he was strongly influenced by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition.
Händel displayed considerable musical talent at an early age. Nevertheless, the young Händel was permitted to take lessons in musical composition and keyboard technique from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, the organist of the Liebfrauenkirche, Halle.
In 1702, Händel began the study of law at the University of Halle, but after his father's death the following year, he abandoned law for music, becoming the organist at the Protestant Cathedral.
Within fifteen years, Händel, a dramatic genius, started three commercial opera companies to supply the English nobility with Italian opera, but the public came to hear the vocal bravura of the soloists rather than the music.
In 1723 G.F. Handel moved into a newly built house at Brook Street, London, in England, which he rented until his death in 1759.
In 1727 G.F. Händel was commissioned to write four anthems for the coronation ceremony of King George II. One of these, "Zadok the Priest", has been played at every British coronation ceremony since.
Händel was director of the Royal Academy of Music from 1720 to 1728 and a partner of J.J. Heidegger in the management of the King's Theatre from 1729 to 1734. Händel also had a long association with the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, in London, England, where many of his Italian operas were premiered.
With a physical breakdown, he changed direction creatively and addressed the middle class. As "Alexander's Feast", in 1736, was well received, Händel made a transition to English choral works.
In April 1737, at age 52, he suffered a stroke or some other malady which left his right arm temporarily paralysed and stopped him from performing. He also complained of difficulties in focusing his sight.
After his success with "Messiah", in 1742, he never performed an Italian opera again. Händel was only partly successful with his performances of English Oratorio on mythical or biblical themes, but when he arranged a performance of "Messiah" to benefit the Foundling Hospital, in 1750, the critique ended.
The pathos of Händel's oratorio is an ethical one; they are hallowed not by liturgical dignity but by the moral ideals of humanity. Almost blind, and having lived in England for almost fifty years, he died a respected and rich man.
Händel's compositions
Händel's compositions includes 42 operas, 29 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, trios and duets, numerous arias, chamber music, a large number of ecumenical pieces, odes and serenatas, and 16 organ concerti.
His oratorio "Messiah", with its "Hallelujah" chorus, is among the most famous works of classical music and is a popular choice for performances in the Christmas season.
Among Händel's best-known instrumental works are the Concerti Grossi Opus 3 and 6; "The Cuckoo and the Nightingale", in which birds are heard calling during passages played in different keys representing the vocal ranges of two birds; and his 16 keyboard suites, especially "The Harmonious Blacksmith".
Collected editions of Händel's works include the Händel-Gesellschaft (HG) and the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe (HHA); however, the more recent Händel-Werke-Verzeichnis (HWV) publication is now commonly used to number his works. For example, Händel's Messiah can be referred to as: HG xlv, HHA i/17, or HWV 56. Some of Händel's music is also numbered based on initial publications, for example a 1741 publication by Walsh labeled twelve of Händel's concerti grossi as "Opus 6".
May 27, 2012
Germany on Stamps: Hermann Wissmann
HERMANN VON WISSMANN
(4 September 1853 – 15 June 1905)
Leopold Wilhelm Ludwig Hermann Wissmann was a German explorer, officer and
colonial administrator. He worked as an explorer of Africa, among other things
on behalf of the Belgian king from 1883 to 1885, and crossed Africa from the
Congo to the Zambezi River estuary.
Born in Frankfurt an der Oder, a town in Brandenburg, Germany, Wissmann was
enlisted in the Army in 1870 and was commissioned a Lieutenant four years later.
Wissmann served Mecklenburg in Füsilierregiment "Fusilier regiment" No. 90
posted at Rostock. During this time he had to serve a four month prison sentence
for wounding an opponent in a duel. An 1879 chance meeting with the explore Dr.
Paul Pogge changed his life.
Granted a leave of absence from the army, in 1880, Wissmann accompanied
explorer Paul Pogge on a journey through the Congo Basin. In the eastern Congo,
Pogge and Wissmann parted company. Pogge stayed to build an agricultural
research station for a Congolese chief, while Wissmann trekked to the Indian
Ocean via present-day Tanzania. Afterwards Wissmann was in the employ of King
Leopold II of Belgium, who was in the process of creating his personal African
empire, known as the Congo Free State.
In March 1883 Wissmann gave the name "Zappo Zap" to a Songye leader known as
Nsapu Nsapu who ruled over the town of Mpengie, part of the Ben'Eki kingdom in
the eastern Kasai region. This was a settlement with more than a thousand
people, many of them slave warriors, to the east of the Sankuru River between
Kabinda and Lusambo. Zappo Zap's people became allies and auxiliaries of the
Congo Free State authorities. In 1899 they were sent out by the colonial
administration to collect taxes. They massacred many villagers, causing an
international outcry.
When in 1888 the attempts of the German East Africa Company to start a
dominion collapsed in face of African resistance, it asked Bismarck for help,
which was at first refused. In 1889, Wissmann was promoted to Captain and
appointed as Reichskommissar (Imperial Commissioner) for the German East Africa
region where he was tasked with suppression of the Abushiri Revolt led by
Abushiri ibn Salim al-Harthi. Wissmann was only given one order:
"Victory".
On his way to East Africa Wissmann hired a mercenary force of mostly Sudanese
soldiers from decommissioned units of the Anglo-Egyptian army to whom later a
number of Zulus from South Africa were added, all under the command of German
officers. The German forces, along with British naval assistance, fortified
Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam and retook Tanga and Pangani.
Wissmann's forces with superior firepower also retook the rest of the Coastal
Strip. They fortified the interior garrison of Mpwapwa and reopened the main
caravan route. Soon afterwards, Abushiri was arrested and executed in Pangani on
16 December 1889. In January 1890, Wissmann issued a general pardon to the
remaining rebels.
Wissmann was promoted to Major in 1890 and given a hero's welcome on his
return to Germany. In 1891 he was nammed Commissioner for the western region of
German East Africa and became Governor in 1895. Ill health forced him to return
to Germany in 1896 where he authored several books and lectured throughout
Germany.
He died in a hunting accident in Weissbach near Liezen, Styria, on 15 June
1905.
Germany on Stamps: Gustav Nachtigal
GUSTAV NACHTIGAL
(23 February 1834 – 20 April 1885)
Gustav Nachtigal was a surgeon, a Lutheran pastor and a German explorer of
Central and West Africa. He was further known as the German Empire's
consul-general for Tunisia and Commissioner for West Africa. His mission as
commissioner resulted in Togoland and Kamerun becoming the first colonies of a
German colonial empire. The Gustav-Nachtigal-Medal, awarded by the Berlin
Geographical Society, is named after him.
Gustav Nachtigal, the son of a Lutheran pastor, was born at Eichstedt in the
Prussian province of Saxony-Anhalt. After medical studies at the universities of
Halle, Würzburg and Greifswald, he practiced for several years as a military
surgeon. Finding the climate of his native country increasingly detrimental to
his health, he went to Algiers and Tunis in North Africa and took part, as a
surgeon, in several expeditions into Central Africa.
Commissioned by King Wilhelm I of Prussia to carry gifts to Umar of Borno,
sheik of the Bornu Empire, in acknowledgment of kindness shown to German
travelers, he set out in 1869 from Ottoman Tripoli and succeeded after a two
years journey in accomplishing his mission. During this period he visited
Tibesti and Borku, regions of the central Sahara not previously known to
Europeans.
From Bornu he traveled to Baguirmi, an independent state to the southeast of
Bornu. From there he proceeded to Wadai (a powerful Muslim kingdom to the
northeast of Baguirmi) and to Kordofan (a former province of central
Sudan).
Nachtigal emerged from darkest Africa at Khartoum (then an Egyptian outpost,
today the capital of Sudan) in the winter of 1874, after having been given up
for lost. His journey, graphically described in his Sahara and Sudan, placed him
in the top ranking of discoverers.
After the establishment by France of a protectorate over Tunisia, Nachtigal
was sent as consul-general for the German Empire and remained there until 1884.
Thereafter he was appointed by Chancellor Otto von Bismarck as special
commissioner for West Africa.
Local German business interests in that region began advocating for
protection by the German Empire after they had acquired huge properties in West
Africa.
Nachtigal's task was thus to accept that real estate on behalf of Germany
before the British could advance their own interests — Togoland and Kamerun
became Germany's first colonial possessions.
On his return voyage he died at sea aboard the gunboat SMS Möwe off Cape
Palmas on 20 April 1885 and was initially interred at Grand Bassam.
In 1888 Nachtigal's remains were exhumed and reburied in a ceremonial grave
at Duala in front of the Kamerun colonial government building.
