Namibia colonial history
1904: The Herero natives, led by Chief Samuel Mahahero, and allied with Hendrik Witbooi of the Nama, erupt in revolt, outraged at the draconian penalties imposed on native debtors (which included flogging to death) as well as vigilante murders by frontier traders. German troops under General Lothar von Trotha suppress the uprising at the Battle of Hamakari (Aug. 11). In an unprecedented move which had met severe censure from the German government and public, Trotha orders to surround the Hereros and wipe out the majority of them. The remainder flee into the desert, where many perish of starvation. Only 6000 of an original number of 54000 remain living.
*1907: The Reiterdenkmal Memorial is constructed to honor the casualties of the Herero Uprising. The Church of Christ is also erected by architect Redecker. It contains a replica of Reuben’s “Resurrection of the Lazarus,” which is especially valuable today, since the original had been destroyed in Berlin in 1945.
*1913: The Tintenpalast Administrative Building becomes the new government center of Namibia. Today, it is famous for its exquisite gardens.
*1914: W. Sander constructs Heinitzburg Castle for the Count of Schwerin.
*1915: A force of Portuguese and South African troops accepts the surrender of Namibia *1919: Germany is officially deprived of Namibia. South Africa will administer it for the next seventy-one years.
