The Namibian Nation

The Murder of the Namibian Nation by Germany in 1905
By Avinoam Amizan

The first genocide which was executed by the Germans, the first in the 20Th century and which heralded the Jewish genocide, was the annihilation of the Namibian nation in 1905.

It was part of the first steps in the development of German nationalism, in the eighties of the 19 century. The first important nationalistic organization, the 'Pan German' pact, grew in these years within the imperialist context. The Pan Germans claimed that the future of Germany is dependent in a big empire over seas, which can exist only on account of Britain and other colonial empires. The movement fulfilled a central role in pushing Germany to the First World War and later on to Hitler's hands.

In 1884 chancellor Bismarck proclaimed that the beach of southwest Africa [Namibia of today] is protected by the German empire. Namibia was converted into the first and most important German colony.

The father of Hitler's deputy Herman Goering, Heinrich, was a diplomat in the German Foreign Service. In 1885 he received his first commission: To be the first imperial inspector of Namibia. He was the first German governor in the area, the most important and involved figure.

The official policy that he heralded was: To get rid of the Namibian nation by occupying their lands and cattle, and turn them into forced labor.