FORCE AND MANIPULATION OF LAW IN KAMERUN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GERMAN-DOUALA TREATY OF JULY 12, 1884 AND THE IMPERIAL DECREE OF JUNE 15, 1896
FORCE AND MANIPULATION OF LAW IN KAMERUN: AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GERMAN-DOUALA TREATY OF JULY 12, 1884 AND THE IMPERIAL DECREE OF JUNE 15, 1896

Summary/Abstract: The search for land to be conquered was not a departure for the German empire, nor a necessity. But faced with the pressures of those who saw in the conquest a way to boost the German economy, and to face the rise of France and Great Britain, it became a necessity. It is thus that Germany engages in the conquest and establish, following the signature of the treaty of July 12th, 1884, the protectorate on the Kamerun. Except that unlike the colony, the protectorate is a little more liberal, which is an obstacle to German policy on the territory. Even so, the douala chiefs, co-signers of the treaty, had been keen to protect their interests over trade and land. To circumvent these difficulties and establish its authority on the territory, Germany adopts a decree governing the land administration, on the creation, taking possession and the disposal of the domain of the crown, on June 15, 1896. Acquisition and alienation of lands in the Kamerun colony. The purpose of this article is to analyze the influences, interpretations and implications of the law in such a situation. The establishment of the German protectorate on the Kamerun is a good example. It allows us to understand what a protectorate is and especially why Germany broke the treaty of 12 July 1884 by adopting the decree of 15 June 1896. In arrogating all lands, Germany cancels the prerogatives that the protectorate regime grants to local populations in order to subject people to its authority. Because to control the earth is to control the territory and the men by reorienting the politics, the economy, the social relations and the culture. The use of law here proves indispensable and unavoidable insofar as it is he who shapes and guides the policy of domination of Germany over theKamerun.

• Details
• Contents