Breaking the Silence: The Truth About Germany’s Colonial Crime

The brutal history of German colonialism in Africa is one of the most egregious examples of European imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exploitation and oppression of African peoples by German colonizers were marked by economic exploitation, political oppression, and cultural domination. One of the most notorious examples of German colonial violence was the Herero and Nama genocide in what is now Namibia. Here, we will understand the history of German colonialism in Africa, the causes and consequences of the Herero and Nama Genocide, and the ongoing efforts to reckon with this dark chapter in world history.

German colonial history Recruitment among native ‘volunteers’ for the protection force in the German colony Togo – late 19th century.

The History of German Colonialism in Africa

German colonialism was a latecomer to the African continent, but it rapidly established colonies in various parts of Africa, including present-day Cameroon, Togo, Tanzania, and Namibia. The German Empire’s colonial project was driven by a desire for resources and markets to fuel Germany’s industrialization, as well as a belief in the superiority of European civilization over African cultures.

German colonizers exploited African labor and resources to fuel the industrialization of the German Empire while suppressing African cultures and languages. They imposed European norms and values on African societies while disregarding African social, political, and economic structures.

Under the eye of the Germans, colored people work in railway construction in Tanzania. 1910.

The Herero and Nama Genocide

The Herero and Nama genocide was the most brutal manifestation of German colonial violence in Africa. The genocide took place in what is now Namibia, between 1904 and 1908, during a rebellion by the Herero and Nama peoples against German colonial rule. The rebellion began in January 1904, when Herero warriors attacked German farms, killing around 120 German settlers. In response, the German colonial authorities launched a brutal campaign to suppress the rebellion.

A photograph of chained Herero and Nama prisoners during the genocide.

The Concentration Camps

The German forces, led by General Lothar von Trotha, pursued the Herero into the desert and forced them into concentration camps. The camps were designed to imprison and control the Herero population, and they were marked by terrible conditions and high mortality rates. Herero and Nama prisoners were beaten, starved, and subjected to forced labor in harsh conditions. Many were also used for medical experiments, including forced sterilization and the removal of body parts without anesthesia.

Adrian Dietrich Lothar von Trotha (3 July 1848 – 31 March 1920) was a German military commander during the European new colonial era. He was a German military commander who served during the new colonial era of Europe. He played a role in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in China as a brigade commander of the East Asian Expedition Corps. Later, he served as governor of German South West Africa and Commander in Chief of its colonial forces, where he brutally suppressed a native rebellion during the Herero Wars. Von Trotha was widely condemned for his role in the genocide that nearly wiped out the Namaqua Khoikhoi and the Herero, and his actions during this time have left a dark legacy in history.

Death Island

The most infamous African concentration camp was located on Shark Island, off the coast of present-day Namibia. The camp, which was known as “Death Island,” was notorious for its brutal treatment of prisoners. Herero and Nama prisoners were beaten, starved, and subjected to forced labor in harsh conditions. Many were also used for medical experiments, including forced sterilization and the removal of body parts without anesthesia.

The Death Toll

The death toll in the concentration camps was devastating. Estimates vary, but it is believed that up to 80% of the Herero population and 50% of the Nama population were killed during the German colonial period. In just three years, between 4,000 and 10,000 Herero died in the Shark Island concentration camp alone. The use of concentration camps and medical experiments foreshadowed the atrocities committed in the Holocaust during World War II.

The Aftermath: Trauma and Resilience

The Herero and Nama Genocide had significant consequences for both Namibia and Germany. The genocide led to the displacement and dispossession of the Herero and Nama peoples from their lands, and the loss of their cultural heritage. It also contributed to the rise of German militarism and imperialism, which ultimately led to World War I. The effects of the genocide are still felt today, as the Herero and Nama peoples continue to struggle for recognition and reparations from the German government.

Efforts to Reckon with the Past

In recent years, there have been efforts to reckon with the legacy of German colonialism in Africa and the Herero and Nama genocide. In 2015, the German government acknowledged the genocide and formally apologized to the Namibian government. However, the apology was criticized for not including a formal acknowledgment of guilt or offering reparations to the Herero and Nama peoples.

The issue of reparations remains a contentious one, as the German government has yet to offer direct compensation to the descendants of the victims. Some argue that reparations should be paid to the Namibian government, which can then distribute them to the affected communities. Others argue that reparations should be paid directly to the affected communities, as they have borne the brunt of the genocide’s effects.