Togo

  __**Togo (Togolese Republic) **__

        Togo was the third colony to be imperialized by Germany. It was declared a German colony on July 5, 1884. Togo is a narrow country in West Africa. It is between the countries of Ghana and Benin and borders the Pacific Ocean on the south. Germans first arrived in Togo in 1847, when German missionaries traveled to the area to convert the native Africans to Christianity. Yet, the area did not come into complete German control until 1884. It is named Togo still to this day.

// Reasons For Conquering Togo: //

Besides Germany wanting to convert the native Africans to Christianity, Germany had many more reasons for conquering Togo. During the Industrial Revolution, Germany was in need of many more products in order to support a growing population and to successfully industrialize. Togo had some of these materials taht were needed. These included limestone and marble. They were strong, durable stones used for the construction of buildings, mainly factories, which were needed during the Industrial Revolution. Togo also had many phosphates, which are important chemicals used in agriculture and industry. Togo had very arable land and harvested many foods such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, corn, rice, and fish. These many food products were necessary in feeding the growing population in Germany when industrialization increased. All of these and agriclutural products and natural resources made Togo a main target of imperialism. //   Positive and Negative Effects of German Imperialism: //               Although Germany tried to convert all the native Africans to Christianity, many were not happy with the idea of a foreign power suddenly taking  control and changing everything. Many Africans held uprisings to protest the changes. Germany had to control the people of the land, and this often le         d to violent fights. These fights negatively affected both Germans and Africans, sometimes leading to death of many people. Germany did have   success in introducing the area to the ideas of industrialization. They helped Africans in Togo to become more industrialized, which advanced daily life and made communication easier.     **Images are taken from:** [|**GoogeImages.com**]