Nation:
Herzogtum von Deutsch Westafrika - Duchy of German West Afrika
Location (on map):
History:
BeginningThe Duchy of West Afrika started out with the last governor of German Kamerun, Karl Ebermaier and Carl Heinrich Zimmermann - an Imperial German military officer and commander of the
Schutztruppe in German Kamerun. When the Kamerun campaign began - the colony was in a fight for their life. As Kamerun was attacked from three sides by the French, Belgians and British.
The Kamerun Campaign started out badly - while the Great War picked up casualties as well in Europe. The start to the end of 1914 was a bad time for the German colony - as things became more and more desperate as they were outnumbered almost 2-to-1 by the Entente Forces. Luckily, as war started to turn for the better against the French in Europe - so did as well for German Kamerun. With the French being badly mauled - supplies and men started to be pulled out from French Equatorial Africa.
With the tables turned - the Germans and their colonial allies, went on the offensive. Now outnumbering the British and Belgian forces 3-to-1. The
Schutztruppe soon occupied British Nigeria completely - uniting it with Mahinland; in addition seizing several pieces of land from French Gabon. Creating a strong German holding in the Gulf of Guinea.
German upheaval and "Kaiser of Afrika"With the overwhelming military success of German Kameron - Carl Heinrich Zimmermann was promoted and awarded a prestigious position, back in the homeland. His replacement was a young, unorthodox yet highly sophisticated
Oberst by the name of
Jaeger Hurst. The new commander of the
Schutztruppe of
German West Afrika in mind had been given the duty of establishing and training out a larger and better-disciplined army to defend against any future skirmishes against the other colonial powers.
Sadly - the German Empire was soon flung into turmoil, with trouble at home. In addition with the Governor of German East Afrika - being overthrown in a coup by Paul von Letow-Vorbeck. German West Afrika was about to also follow suit, as Governor Karl Ebermaier was persuaded by the promise of complete ownership of the colony and its wealth. He was executed by Oberst Hurst - whom, despite his non-traditionalist beliefs was a firm Loyalist.
While the new Governor-Commander was unable to send help to the Kaiser in the Fatherland, he managed to send one telegram to Imperial Germany - promising to return German colonial property to the rightful Kaiser; before Civil War began in German West Afrika between the German' Kaiser Loyalists and the Afrikan' Kaiser Rebels.
While the Rebels were supported by most of the officer corps - they lacked the numerical superiority, being so far cut-off from German East Afrika. Oberst Hurst, utilized and promoted from among the local Askari enlisted - combining African bravery with German efficiency. Cutting off and eventually defeating the Rebels. Unfortunately, both sides had left significant devastation in their wake - further hampering any attempt by the Governor-Commander of aiding the homeland.
With this in mind, and realizing that he would not be able to aid his home in the near future; namely doing so, would rile up the local population, who had enough of war as well as the colonial Schutztruppe had missed a year of pay - Oberst Hurst decided to instead, reconstruct German West Afrika into a worthy province; that would one day 'have streets good enough to shine the Kaiser' shoes at'.
Duchy of West Afrika and New StateThe Duchy of West Afrika had been declared at September 1935 - with Jaeger Hurst taking the mantle of
Herzog Hurst von Westafrika, or Duke of West Afrika. Declaring for Kaiser Wilhelm III and stating Paul von Letow-Vorbeck a traitor. Sadly with the Empire shutting itself in, to recover after the Civil War - Duke Hurst was once again, left alone to manage the German colonial holdings.
Duke Hurst started building up West Afrika in aftermath of their own Civil War. Namely focusing on keeping the holdings together - and to eliminate any potential rebellion from inside or outside. Thus he started initiating policies, which would later be coined by him as 'Bismarckism' or the 'Cycle of Reliability'.
Namely he had most of the industry in British Nigera moved over to the German Kamerun side - while also allowing most of Nigeria to be turned over into agriculture. While Kamerun would be heavily industrialized. With the discovery of petroleum in the region - Nigeria in essence became the coal for the Kamerun smeltery. Thus Nigeria would supply the resources, while Kamerun would manufacture the goods. This was off-set by having the main shipyard and coastal city made in Nigeria; Mahinland. While the central bank would be established in Buea; Kamerun.
This cycle would prevent either colonial province from dominating or de-stabilizing the other side. As the Western provinces would need to rely on the Eastern side, for protection, banking and finished goods. While the East had to rely on the West, for access to the sea-trading and raw resources.
While the white Germans would dominate most senior and important positions - other blacks would be allowed slowly into the gentry. Namely high-ranked Askari officers, who had distinguished themselves in the Kamerun Campaign and the West Afrikan Civil War.
CurrentDuke Hurst has lead the country for nearly twenty-five years of relative peace and stability. With his system - both regions have been allowed to develop and prosper under the rule of the Germanic nobility. With agriculture, petroleum, mining, chemical and light industry dominating the economy.
Under his rule - a strong upper class, of white nationals has been formed, around the coastal regions of West Afrika. Namely nobility from the Russia and Austro-Hungaria whom wished to escape the civil wars plaguing the continent and to start over. French nationalists and even some businessmen from the United States. Most which, former German veterans from the homeland - offered a chance to restart their lives and build a new future for their families.
A healthy middle class has been formed - from the tribes of Yoruban's and Duala's people - they form the backbone of the Afrika. Filling up numerous jobs - clerks, managers, teachers, professors, land owners and army officers. They enjoy a standard of living - that is common in most European cities; with free access to health care and higher education.
The lower class are concentrated in the rural regions - which lacks most governmental oversight, and is controlled by the tribes and chiefs that inhabit the area; allowed autonomy in exchange for not trying to overtly assault the state and maintain a level of stability in the area. Besides that, only a few governmental clerks inhabit the region - whom primarily manage the resource extractions of the area and purchase of local goods from the rural farmers - as well as lodging any complaints or aid requests that might arise.
Characters:
Herzog Jaegar Hurst von Deutsche WestafrikaRole: Governor-General of the German West African Duchy
Bio: Jaeger Hurst was born at the start of the 20th Century - on the January 22 of 1900, in Baden. Most of his childhood remained average, as he was the oldest son of a lower-rank German gentry and later on attended the famous Heidelberg University. Where upon, he was intrigued by Liberalism - or namely the aspects of having multiple choices and opinions to debate and choose from. In addition to learning more about political history.
He later enrolled in the Prussian War College, earning the rank of Leutenant - just as the outbreak of the Great War started. While his accomplishments were many against the French Army - it was mostly due to utilizing tactics, planning and ideas - that were counter-intuitive to the directions of the German High Command.
Each victory he achieved was also tainted by his title of
Kanonenkugel. Or 'cannonball' - as he was considered something of a loose cannon; although none could fault his tactical mind. Which was honed by weeks of studying his opposites plans and strategies. At the end of the Great War - he was transfered to German Kamerun; officially as reward, alongside the rank of
Oberst but unofficially to get him away from the more prestigious core of the Army.
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Graf Wilhelm Hurst von Deutsche WestafrikaRole: heir and son the Duke of German West Africa
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Amadou Bankole von Douala
Position:
Oberstleutant of the Afrikan Corps
