Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which colonial territories did Germany gain during Wilhelm II’s reign?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Wilhelm II
Wilhelm II, the last German emperor.
During the reign of Wilhelm II, Germany pursued a policy known as Weltpolitik ("world policy") to secure "a place in the sun" and expand its global influence. Under this initiative, Germany established or expanded its presence in several regions:1
- Africa: Through the Zanzibar Treaty of 1890, Germany solidified its sphere of influence on the eastern African mainland, extending from Lake Victoria to the Congo state and from Lake Nyasa to Lake Tanganyika. Additionally, Germany acquired the Caprivi Strip, which provided German South West Africa with access to the Zambezi River.2
- China and the South Pacific: Wilhelm II oversaw the establishment of various colonial holdings across these regions to bolster Germany's status as a world power.1
- Europe: While not a colonial territory, the 1890 treaty also resulted in the British cession of Helgoland to Germany, which was considered a vital prerequisite for German naval development.2
Despite these efforts, Germany’s colonial expansion remained limited compared to the established empires of France and Britain.1