Sonderausstellung: Die „Hunnenrede“ Ein Kaiserbesuch vor 125 Jahren und seine Folgen

In the organizer's words:

Emperor Wilhelm II visited Bremerhaven 125 years ago. His visit from July 26 to August 3, 1900 was momentous in many respects. The occasion was the embarkation of the soldiers of the so-called "East Asian Expeditionary Corps". They were to reinforce and lead a military alliance of eight nations waging a colonial war in China.

The visit went down in history with the "Hun Speech" of July 27, 1900. In it, the emperor called on the soldiers to spread fear and terror in China, following the example of the Huns, and to show no mercy. In doing so, he legitimized excesses of violence in German colonialism and had a lasting negative impact on the image of Germany abroad.

Using contemporary photos, press articles, documents and the documentary film of the time, the museum focuses on the eventful days at seven stations in its permanent exhibition. The exhibition is also dedicated to the links between the Lower Weser towns of Bremerhaven, Lehe and Geestemünde and German colonial history.