German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck authorizes annexation of the Marshall Islands

On August 29, 1885, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck took a significant step in expanding Germany's colonial influence by authorizing the annexation of the Marshall Islands as a protectorate. This decision came after persistent petitions from German business interests who sought to secure their economic interests in the region. The German gunboat Nautilus arrived at Jaluit on October 13, 1885, marking the beginning of German control over the islands. Just two days later, on October 15, a pivotal moment occurred when five prominent Marshallese chiefs—iroij Kabua, Loeak, Nelu, Lagajime, and Launa—signed a protection treaty at the German consulate. This treaty was unique as it was drafted in both German and Marshallese. Notably, while the Marshallese version of the treaty did not differentiate between the ranks of the chiefs, the German text acknowledged Kabua as the leading figure among them. This annexation not only solidified Germany's presence in the Pacific but also set the stage for future interactions between the German Empire and the indigenous populations of the Marshall Islands. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #Bismarck #MarshallIslands #GermanEmpire #ColonialHistory #Protectorate