Germany’s Forgotten Colonial Past: The plaque at 77 William Street is different from its neighbors—steel, curved awkwardly in front of a tree, vibrant with a map of Africa. It’s relatively new, unveiled just three years ago by the nonprofit Afrika Forum, not the city of Berlin. This plaque commemorates a building where European leaders finalized the carve-up of Africa 140 years ago during the Berlin or Congo Conference. While Germany meticulously remembers its Nazi history, its colonial past remains a black hole, overlooked and ignored. The plaque’s obscurity reflects how Germany struggles to confront its colonial legacy, a history that continues to shape Africa and the lives of people of African descent today.

The Berlin Conference and Its Legacy

In the late 19th century, European powers gathered at 77 William Street, then the palace of German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, to formalize the "scramble for Africa." The Berlin Conference was born out of the need to establish rules for colonization, as European nations sought to exploit Africa’s resources, from rubber to palm oil. Fourteen countries, including the United States, attended the conference, but no African representatives were present. The General Act of the conference introduced the concept of "effective occupation," requiring European powers to enforce their authority over African territories. It also recognized King Leopold’s claim to the Congo Free State and granted Germany control over four colonies: German East Africa, Kamerun, Togoland, and German Southwest Africa.

The conference accelerated the colonization of Africa, and within five years, 90% of the continent was under European control. The consequences were devastating: brutal suppression, forced labor, and massacres. In present-day Namibia, German colonial troops massacred thousands of Herero and Nama people, setting a dark precedent for later atrocities. Yet, in Germany, this history is rarely discussed. The plaque at 77 William Street stands as a quiet reminder of a past that many would rather forget.

The Silence of Germany’s Colonial Past

Growing up in Germany, the Holocaust, World War II, and the Cold War dominate history curriculums. Colonialism is rarely mentioned, leaving many Germans unaware of their country’s role in Africa’s exploitation. Berlin resident Sanga Lenz only discovered her connection to this history when she found a photo of her great-grandfather, who served in German East Africa. “Nobody ever talked about it,” she said. “It’s like this huge blind spot in our collective memory.”

Tour guide Johnny Whitlam is one of the few who brings visitors to the plaque on William Street, but interest is minimal. Activists like Nadja Ofuatey-Alazard argue that Germany’s focus on Nazi history has overshadowed its earlier colonial atrocities. “Germany has to accept its historical responsibility,” she said. “This history needs to be taught in schools and universities, not ignored.”

Voices of Activism and Reform

In recent years, activists have pushed for greater awareness of Germany’s colonial past. Each One Teach One (EOTO), co-directed by Ofuatey-Alazard, organized a series of “Decolonisation Conferences” starting in 2020. These conferences mirror the 1885 Berlin Conference, inviting 19 delegates of African descent to discuss the ongoing impacts of colonization. The most recent conference in 2022 produced a 10-point list of demands, including reparations, visa reform, and human rights protections. However, these demands have been met with silence from European leaders.

Justice Lufuma Mvemba, a Berlin-based activist, founded the Decolonial City Tour, which explores the city’s colonial history. The tour reveals hidden traces of colonialism, such as streets named after former colonies and the origins of the German grocery store Edeka ( Cooperative of Colonial Grocers). While many tourists appreciate the tours, others resist the uncomfortable truths they reveal. “It’s a very small percentage, but some people push back,” Mvemba said. “They question us or slip away when the conversation gets hard.”

Facing the Past, Shaping the Future

Despite these efforts, Germany’s colonial history remains marginalized. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party dismisses efforts to confront this past, labeling them “shameful” and denying responsibility. This denial is worrying, especially as the AfD gains political momentum. “They’re driving the narrative and pushing others to ignore this history,” Ofuatey-Alazard warned.

The plaque at 77 William Street stands as a silent challenge to this denial. It reminds us that Germany’s colonial past is not just a footnote in history books but a living reality for millions of Africans and Afro-Germans today. Activists like Ofuatey-Alazard and Mvemba are fighting to ensure this history is acknowledged, but the journey is long and fraught with resistance. As Germany grapples with its colonial legacy, the plaque remains a symbol of both remembrance and forgetting—a reminder of the work still to be done.