Germany's role came in the general awake of the European scramble and partition. Initially she was not interested in the struggle for colonies. This was because her policies were more limited than those of Britain and France. Later on when she decided to join the race, her activities were determined by Bismarck who was also initially opposed to colonial possessions in Africa.

But the humiliating defeat of France in the 1871 war that disorganized the European balance of power and was now a force to reckon with and moreover, one day France would seek a war of revenge.

And so Bismarck was anxious to avoid a possible future war with France by diverting French interests from Europe to Africa.

Bismarck encouraged France to seek compensation elsewhere for the loss of Alsace and Lorraine and the British occupation of Egypt.

Besides Bismarck was anxious to avoid a any possible alliance between France and any other European power. German therefore wished to encourage disagreement.

An International Conference was held En Berlin from November 5th 1884 to 30" January 1885 under the chairmanship of Bismark.

The aim of this conference was to lay down rules to govern this race and to avoid the possibility of an open conflict The Berlin Act was signed in February 1885.

Any power which wanted to claim any territory should notify the other signatory powers in order to enable them to make claims of their own.

During and after the Conference, the Europeans powers sent out more envoys and soldiers who by persuasion of force or bribery got African rulers to sign agreements on which they ceded away in some cases innocently their territories.

Bismarck sponsored the Berlin West African Conference.

Bismarck believed it would help him to play off Britain and France if he had colonies.

"Sir John Harry in his famous work "The Dawn in Darkest Africa".

The Germany entered the race because by the 1880s, the pressure being brought to bear upon him by the Chambers of commerce and merchants had become great.

Secondly, Germany traders and missionaries on the West Coast were appealing for protection.

British refused to protect Germany traders in south- West Africa and this gave Bismarck opportunity to annex the region on -f 884. in May 1884, Nichitagal was sent to annex the Cameroon.

Such annexation should be followed by effective occupation before they became valid.

By 1890, the whole of West Africa and indeed of the entire African continent had been appropriated by the European nations to meet their selfish, economic, political and social ends.

In 1884. German seized Togoland and Cameroon in West Africa.

These colonies were occupied and exploited by German until the first World War when all her cronies were scrapped off.

GERMAN SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION IN TOGO

A chartered company initially ruled Togo. But she became a German Colony in 1884/5.

Following a conclusive end of the Benin conference of 1854/5.

The original administrative unit was Sebe but after 1898, the headquarters was Lome.

Between 1885 and 1898 the head of the German administration was the commissioner

,After 1898, the governor was the head of administration.

 Between 1904 and 1914, the governor was assisted by an advisory council" which contained at least three unofficial members, who were usually German merchants in the region.

Southern Togo was divided into four districts, each under a district commissioner.

In the coastal areas they exercised direct administration.

The administration system was based on grouping together of ethnic groups into administration units,

The chiefs were confirmed as agents of German rule for example A. K Panya of Dayadu of Kyandu, Plaice of Nyaro and Hosu of Hu.

Where no chiefs existed, the Germans created them.

Germans upheld traditional system of justice as far as possible.

Chiefs collected taxes, recruited and supervised labour.

Justice was partly administered by indigenous chiefs who could impose fines up to 50 marks.

Communication was greatly developed.

Fine railway lines stretching a distance of 320 Km and road system of 755 miles was the best in West Africa.

Forced labour was used in building and maintenance of roads.

 Administration opposed settler agriculture.

 Administrative system sought to develop agriculture intensively.

 About 70% of the budget were set a side for development in health.

By 1914. Togo was independent in the budgetary terms from the metropolitan government