The Herero war – the first genocide of the 20th century?

Bachelor Thesis , 2006 , 67 Pages , Grade: 1

History of Germany - 1848, Empire, Imperialism

In my thesis I examine German colonial policies in South West Africa towards the natives from their first engagement in the area in 1883 up to the end of the Herero war in 1907. Primarily, I try to establish if they were genocidal.
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My thesis is divided into three major parts. The first two describe and characterize the German policies towards the natives of South West Africa and their mutual relationship, prior to the Herero war and during it respectively. The third is concerned with definitions of genocide and relevance for its aplication on the Herero war.
In the first chapter I shortly portray South West Africa prior to European colonisation and then turn my attention to German - steady and gradual - conquest of the country. Special consideration is given to German perceptions of the natives, to their use of the natives for their own cause and to their treatment of the indigenous population. Finally the most important aspects of development of the colony under German rule are presented.
The next chapter of the thesis deals with the events of the Herero war. Analysis of the main causes of the uprising is followed by the description of the course of war. This one is purposefully not very detailed, and only events relevant for our cause are mentioned. Much more attention is given to German changing policies during the war and to the differing arguments behind these policies, with special focus on Lothar von Trotha's reasoning. The Nama uprising is mentioned briefly as well. At the end results of the war and its influence mainly on the native population are characterized.
I deal with the concept of genocide in the final part of this paper. I offer three different definitions and apply them one by one, on the events in Gernam South West Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. I analyze if any, some, or all definitions are valid and could be used to describe these events.
The crucial question of this thesis is whether German policies in South West Africa regarding the native population, especially the Herero could be described as genocidal.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• South West Africa Under German Rule
• The Area of South West Africa Prior to German Colonization
• "First a missionary, then a consul, and then com army."
• "However ruthless one's colonial policy, it is necessary to give one's actions a semblance of legality"
• Divide et impera - Leutwein's Policy and Native Uprisings
• "White Man's Burden"
• "Colonisation is always inhumane"
• "Leniency towards the natives is cruelty to the whites."
• "Prügelstrafe"
• Silence Before the Storm
• All-round Development of the Colony
• Administrative Reorganisation
• Mission Growth
• The Herero War
• Whose Fault is it?
• Causes of the Uprising
• German Abuse and Humiliation of Natives
• Land Appropriation and the Question of Native Reservations
• Otavi Railway
• Hereros' Cattle
• Credit System
• Leutwein's War
• Number of Troops on Both Sides
• Initial Stages of the War
• Maharero's Proclamations
• "...the uprising must be smashed ruthlessly and a tabula rasa created."
• The end of Leutwein's Independent Position
• Change of Command
• Von Trotha's War
• "Die Würfel waren gegen die Hereros gefallen"
• Battle of Waterberg
• Dying in the Sun
• Extermination Order
• The Last Power Struggle Between von Trotha and Leutwein
• Change of German Policy
• The Nama Uprising
• Von Trotha's Departure From the Theatre of War
• "Sammellager", Prisoner and Concentration Camps.
• "The old, the sick, the wounded were all slaughtered or burnt to death."
• Results of War
• "The Hereros ceased to exist as a tribe."
• Consequences of the War for the Natives
• "Measures for control of the Natives"
• Ban on Mixed Marriages
• Genocide
• Problems with the Concept
• "if this is awful, it must be a genocide"
• Clashes in the "Reichstag" About German Colonial Policies
• Broad Definition by Charny
• United Nations Definition
• Narrow Definition by Fein
• "For all their power, they could kill but not convince."

Objectives and Key Themes

This work aims to comprehensively analyze the Herero War in South West Africa (present-day Namibia), examining its causes, course, and consequences. It delves into the historical context of German colonialism in the region, the events leading to the uprising, the brutal tactics employed by the German military, and the devastating impact on the Herero people.

• German Colonialism and its Impact on Native Populations
• The Causes and Consequences of the Herero Uprising
• The Role of German Military Tactics and Policies
• The Debate Surrounding the Concept of Genocide in the Herero War
• The Lasting Legacy of the Herero War and its Implications for Historical Understanding

Chapter Summaries

The introduction provides a historical context for the Herero war, outlining the arrival of German colonialism in South West Africa and its initial policies towards the native population. Chapter 1 details the early years of German rule, focusing on their strategy of land appropriation, subjugation of the Herero people, and the establishment of a system of control. Chapter 2 delves into the causes and events of the Herero uprising, analyzing the escalating tensions between the Herero and the German authorities, exploring the role of land disputes, and detailing the military strategies and atrocities of both sides.

Keywords

The central keywords and topics of the work encompass German colonialism in South West Africa, the Herero war, the events leading to the uprising, German military tactics, the concept of genocide, and the legacy of the war. The text also examines the impact of colonialism on native populations, land appropriation, and the consequences of the war for the Herero people.

• College: Charles University in Prague
• Grade: 1
• Author: Martin Weiser (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 67
• Catalog Number: V90826
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638054324
• ISBN (Book): 9783638946285
• Language: English
• Tags: Herero