The Berlin-Baghdad Railroad 1899-1940The Berlin-Baghdad Railroad 1899-1940

By: Mark Mychajuk

Designed and largely built by Imperial Germany prior to World War 1, the Berlin-Baghdad Railroad was an act of Imperialism. Germany hoped to gain access to Middle Eastern oil in the Ottoman Empire and new routes of attack on the colonial possessions of Britain and Russia. However, the Germans were unable to finish construction due to instability and sabotage caused by the First World War. British occupying forces did build sections for their own use during the conflict as they advanced into Ottoman territory. The final sections of the railroad would not be completed until 1940.