Zanzibar's 1890 Heligoland Treaty: The Deal That Ended an Empire

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the 1890 Heligoland Treaty, a pivotal agreement between Britain and Germany that carved up Zanzibar's East African sphere of influence. Lucas explains how Sultan Ali bin Said, who had just ascended the throne, was forced to accept the end of Zanzibar's sovereignty over the Swahili Coast, including key ports like Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam. The episode delves into the secret negotiations between Lord Salisbury and Otto von Bismarck, the Berlin Conference's long shadow, and the role of British Consul Sir John Kirk in pressuring the sultan. Lucas contrasts the Zanzibari perspective with the European diplomatic game, highlighting the personal tragedy of Sultan Ali, who saw his sultanate reduced to the islands of Unguja and Pemba. The conversation also touches on the immediate aftermath: the Mkunazini riots in Stone Town and the lasting impact on the clove economy. #HeligolandTreaty #Zanzibar #AngloGermanAgreement #SwahiliCoast #BerlinConference #SultanAliBinSaid #LordSalisbury #OttoVonBismarck #SirJohnKirk #1890 #ColonialScrambleForAfrica #BusaidSultanate #BritishEmpire #GermanEastAfrica #StoneTown #Unguja #Pemba #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo