German South-West Africa
Namibia, 1884–1915. Draft, not yet reviewed
German South West Africa was a colony of the German Empire from 1884 until 1915. German rule over this territory was punctuated by numerous rebellions by its native African peoples. German colonial forces conducted a campaign of reprisals from 1904 to 1908, now known as the Herero and Nama genocide. Its administration was taken over by the Union of South Africa and administered as South West Africa under a League of Nations mandate.
Seat of power: Windhoek
Rulers
Gustav Hermann Nachtigal
Head of government, 1884–1885
On 7 October the colony of German South West Africa was established under Reichskommissar governor Gustav Nachtigal. His mission as commissioner resulted in Togoland and Kamerun becoming the first colonies of a German colonial empire.
Portrait of Gustav Hermann Nachtigal: Erwin Hanfstaengl, Public domain, file
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Heinrich Ernst Göring
Head of government, 1885–1890
After a career as a provincial judge, he was appointed as the first Imperial Commissioner of German South West Africa in 1885. He began by signing a protection treaty with the leading Herero chief, Maharero. The treaty was repudiated a few years later by Maharero, who also expelled him from Hereroland.
Portrait of Heinrich Ernst Göring: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Louis Nels
Head of government, 1890–1891
He served as acting Reichskommissar in German South West Africa from August 1890 to March 1891.
Curt von François
Head of government, 1891–1894
He was responsible on behalf of the Kaiser for the foundation of the city of Windhoek on 18 October 1890 and the harbor of Swakopmund on 4 August 1892.
Portrait of Curt von François: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Theodor Leutwein
Head of government, 1894–1905
He served as Landeshauptmann and governor of German South West Africa from 1894 to 1905. He created a decentralized administration with three regional centers: Windhoek, Otjimbingwe and Keetmanshoop. In 1904 an uprising by the Herero was the beginning of the end of his colonial leadership.
Portrait of Theodor Leutwein: Unknown photographer, Public domain, file
Friedrich von Lindequist
Head of government, 1905–1907
He served as Governor of German South West Africa from November 1905 until 20 May 1907. During his tenure as Governor he introduced Karakul breeding to the white settlers of the German colony.
Portrait of Friedrich von Lindequist: unknown author, PD-US, file
Lothar von Trotha
Head of government, 1905–1905
He was appointed Commander in Chief of German South West Africa and was directed to crush the native Herero rebellion. At the Battle of Waterberg, he issued orders to encircle the Herero on three sides so that the only escape route was into the waterless Omaheke-Steppe, a western arm of the Kalahari Desert. He was widely condemned for his brutality in the Herero Wars, particularly for his role in the genocide of the Nama Khoekhoe and the Herero.
Portrait of Lothar von Trotha: Unknown author, Public domain, file
Bruno von Schuckmann
Head of government, 1907–1910
He was appointed governor of German South West Africa from July 1907 and held this position until June 1910. He resigned because of the government's diamond policy.
Portrait of Bruno von Schuckmann: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Theodor Seitz
Head of government, 1910–1915
On 28 August 1910, he became Governor of German South West Africa at Windhoek. The outnumbered German troops under command of Victor Franke had to capitulate on 9 July 1915.
Portrait of Theodor Seitz: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, file
Culture
- Over 2,100 kilometers of railways were built by the Germans, with stations being built alongside them for towns or refueling.
- In 1908 diamonds were discovered. Diamonds were promoted as a major investment, along with gold, copper, platinum, and other minerals.
- In 1890, the colony was declared a German Crown Colony, and more troops were sent.
Picture
The Alte Feste in Windhoek was designed by captain Curt von François as headquarters of the imperial German Schutztruppe.
Image: Alexander Johmann, CC BY-SA 2.0, file
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Sources
- German South West Africa (Wikipedia)
- German South-West Africa (Wikidata)
- About the picture (Wikipedia)
Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.