In the paper the author wants to investigate the events of the Herero and Nama revolts of 1904 which lead to the outbreak of a colonial war, that lastet at least until 1907. Was it genocide? What qualifies it as such and why is this almost forgotten by the majority of people?
In German historical science, the colonial history of the country is still a peripheral area. Often this period is referred to as „history of european expansion“ or even „comparative oversea’s history“. Although German colonial efforts cannot be compared to the far-reaching activities of the British Empire, France, Portugal or Spain and although Germany started relatively late with its expansion, this doesn’t mean that Germany’s colonial period can be played down or be trivialized. In general, the European expansion of the 20th century was not aimed at exploring and friendly cohabitation with local peoples. The plan was rather to crowd them out, enslave them and force them to work for the benefits of the newcomers. According to this, the people in South-West Africa were treated until it amounted to what is referred to as the „first genocide of the 20th century“.
Under Reich Chancellor Bismarck, the aim of the German Empire regarding its colonies was at first only to constitute a protecting power. This approach was based on the expectation, that the clamorous colonial lobby, which was constituted as the „German Colonial Society“ in 1887, would stand up for the development of the new acquired regions. For this reason, the economic development and parts of the administration was transferred on terrain-, charter- and commercial companies, that were also left with establishing an infrastructure there. This was problematic since the interest of the German settlers in Africa was more on their personal profits than on a coordinated development of the „new“ territory. Without continuous investment by the state, it was hardly possibly to convert the colonies into prosperous economic territories or settlement areas. Besides this, they faced constant rebellious activities by the local indigenous people. The first steps in the colonies were therefore a „pacification“ of the territories, which most of the times was conducted violently and did not last permanently, as well as establishing medical care in order to make the stay of German settlers, soldiers and administrative corpse possible in the first place.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Establishment of the protectorate German South-West Africa
3. Revolts and genocide (1904-1908)
a. Reasons for the starting of the revolts
b. The Herero-Revolts
c. Putting down the rebellion
d. Participation of the Nama
e. Further course of the conflict
f. After the war
4. Genocide?
a. Qualification
b. Legal affairs
c. Official reactions by Germany
5. Resume
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper investigates the historical events surrounding the Herero and Nama revolts of 1904–1908 in German South-West Africa. The central research question explores whether these actions qualify as the first genocide of the 20th century and examines the long-standing challenges regarding Germany's recognition of its colonial responsibility.
- Analysis of the establishment and colonial administration of German South-West Africa.
- Investigation into the causes and progression of the Herero and Nama uprisings.
- Evaluation of German military tactics, specifically the "extermination command" issued by von Trotha.
- Legal and political review of the genocide classification and subsequent international reconciliation efforts.
Excerpt from the Book
c) Putting down the rebellion
On May 19th of 1904, state of war was declared for the whole protectorate, which gave the military absolute power of disposition. On the 30th of May, Leutwein urged the Herero one last time to capitulate. Unfortunately his effort was in vain (Kämmerer/Föh 2004: 301).
On the 11th of August it came down to the decisive battle at the Waterberg, where the Herero didn’t stand a chance against the German protection troops (Gründer 2012: 130). They seemed to be prepared for flight, which they managed to do in great numbers. However, most of them had to flee into the Kalahari-Desert (Omaheke), where they died due to drought or diseases. Von Trotha had cut access to water places and closed off other possible ways of return (Kämmerer/Föh 2004: 301).
A further radicalization of German warfare followed in autumn, when on October 2nd 1904, von Trotha issued his „extermination command“:
„I the great General of the German troops send this letter to the Herero people. The Herero are no longer German subjects. They have murdered and stolen, they have cut off the ears, noses and body parts of wounded soldiers, now out of cowardice they no longer wish to fight. I say to the people anyone who delivers a captain will receive 1000 Mark, whoever delivers Samuel [Maherero] will receive 5000 Mark. The Herero people must however leave the land. If the populace does not do this I will force them with the Groot Rohr [cannon]. Within the German borders every Herero, with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be shot. I will no longer accept women and children, I will drive them back to their people or I will let them be shot at. These are my words to the Herero people. The Great General of the mighty German Kaiser“ (Gewald 1999:172f; quoted after: NNAW, ZBU D 1 a Band 3-4, leaf 165, JBG’s translation)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the neglect of German colonial history in academic discourse and establishes the context of the Herero and Nama war.
2. Establishment of the protectorate German South-West Africa: This chapter details the initial administrative approach under Bismarck and the transition toward active colonization and exploitation.
3. Revolts and genocide (1904-1908): This section describes the socio-economic causes of the conflict, the military suppression, and the establishment of concentration camps.
4. Genocide?: The chapter evaluates the historical and legal definitions of genocide in the context of the actions taken by German colonial forces.
5. Resume: The final chapter summarizes the nature of colonial control and the long-term impact on the indigenous population, advocating for an official apology.
Keywords
Herero, Nama, German South-West Africa, Genocide, Colonialism, Lothar von Trotha, Waterberg, Extermination Command, Reparations, Namibia, Concentration Camps, Colonial History, Indigenous Rights, Bismarck, Resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the colonial history of German South-West Africa, specifically analyzing the suppression of the Herero and Nama revolts between 1904 and 1908.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include colonial administration, the escalation of violence against indigenous populations, the military strategy of extermination, and the contemporary struggle for legal and historical recognition of these events.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The primary objective is to investigate the conflict, evaluate whether it constitutes a genocide based on international standards, and analyze Germany's long-delayed process of acknowledging its colonial debt.
Which scientific methodology is applied here?
The work utilizes a historical-analytical approach, drawing on established historiography, colonial records, and contemporary debates to reconstruct the events and legal arguments regarding the genocide classification.
What is addressed in the main body of the paper?
The main body examines the timeline of the revolts, the transition from administrative "protection" to brutal warfare, the role of specific commanders like von Trotha, and the post-war systemic dispossession of the Herero and Nama people.
How can this work be characterized by keywords?
It is characterized by terms such as Herero, Nama, Genocide, German Colonialism, and historical reconciliation.
How did von Trotha's leadership change the nature of the conflict?
Von Trotha moved away from the more economically-minded approach of his predecessor Leutwein, prioritizing total military elimination and the unconditional capitulation of the indigenous groups.
Why was the "extermination command" legally significant?
It serves as a primary piece of evidence demonstrating the "intent to destroy," a necessary legal component under the UN Genocide Convention to classify the mass killings as genocide.
What role did concentration camps play after the war?
These camps were used to finalize the destruction of the Herero social and cultural identity by enforcing forced labor and subjecting survivors to inhumane living conditions, leading to an exceptionally high mortality rate.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Barolo (Author), 2016, The Suppression of the Herero and Nama Revolts by the Germans, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/371337
