Ostafrikanische Kaiserreich
Head of State: Kaiser Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht von Preußen (Kaiser Wilhelm II)
Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig (Wilhelm I - Deceased 1885)
Head of Government: Leo von Caprivi, Reichskanzler
Otto von Bismarck (Replaced 1890)
Currency: Mark
Capital: New Luebeck, formerly named Bagamoyo
German East Africa, known as Deutsch-Ostafrika, had always seemed such a trifling matter to Berlin. The subsidies that were provided for the considerable territory on the east coast of the African continent were colossal and the profits minimal. While rubber and coffee plants were grown, mines established and hundreds of commercial shipping vessels arrived and departed yearly, it was always an afterthought when it came to the government. Competing with the other powers on the European continent itself had always been a larger priority for Germany, since its inception.
Its importance and fortunes changed considerably in 1878.
The initial wave of celestial objects that rained down upon the major cities of Germany was catastrophic. Within hours, it was obvious that the situation was dire. Communications abroad and main diplomatic channels in the capital were severed, as widespread fires gripped an already broken Berlin, which along with Potsdam, Frankfurt and Magdeburg, had suffered heavily. A mass exodus of survivors initially fled into the countryside, crowding the railways, roadways and river systems with human suffering. The infrastructure, as advanced as it was, virtually collapsed in the first month, as the main hubs had been destroyed or overrun with refugees. Martial law was established in the west and east, where the devastation was lessened. The royal family and heads of government had been visiting Danzig at the time, which escaped the ordeal initially. The strong work ethic and discipline of the nation, along with a sizeable military, helped restore some semblance of order by 1879.
That was of course, before the dissolution of neighbouring governments and borders. Russians, Poles, Frenchmen, all eager to seek salvation, swept into Germany. The Prussian provinces, Pommern and Posen could not handle the influx. The borders were closed, but the literal wave of humanity could not be stopped. And with the displaced persons came starvation. And disease. Millions more perished.
The government moved to Stralsund, then Rostock, always careful to avoid the interior. But as the winter came and technically went, the crops refused to grow again and hope began to fade.
In 1880, a truly momentous decision had been made to relocate as many people as possible to East Africa. The Kaiserliche Marine evacuated the Kaiser and his immediate family, as well as the most powerful ministers, the Reichskanzler, high-ranking officers and military personnel. Civilian charters bore as many people as possible and it was a miracle that as many escaped as they did. At least one million Germans survived ‘The Fall’ and made their new homes in Africa. The Kaiser’s own son, Frederick, died several days before reaching landfall at the capital city formerly known as Bagamoyo, later renamed New Luebeck.
In 1885, following a disastrous attempt at territory expansion into the Congo, Kaiser Wilhelm I succumbed to old age and as some believe, dementia. Even the normally robust Otto von Bismarck was emotionally shattered by the realization that the German people were vulnerable in their new empire.
With Wilhelm II assuming the title of Kaiser following the death of his grandfather, the fate of the newly minted Ostafrikansche Kaiserreich was unknown.
Der Exodus