Lothar von Trotha

Lothar von Trotha (1848–1920) was a German army officer who commanded colonial forces in German South West Africa during the Herero and Namaqua genocide.

Herero and Namaqua genocide: The mass killing and displacement of Herero and Nama people by German colonial forces in German South West Africa from 1904 to 1908. Von Trotha’s command and extermination order made him a principal perpetrator of this genocide.
Extermination order: The October 1904 order by von Trotha directing German forces to drive Herero people from German-controlled territory and shoot those who remained. The order made expulsion and lethal force explicit instruments of his campaign.
German colonialism in Namibia: Germany’s rule over German South West Africa from 1884 until its defeat in World War I. Von Trotha’s assignment arose from German colonial expansion and resistance to it.
Samuel Maharero: A Herero chief who led the 1904 uprising against German colonial rule. Maharero’s forces fought the campaign von Trotha was sent to suppress.
Herero people: A Bantu-speaking people whose historical homeland is in central Namibia. Herero communities were the main target of von Trotha’s 1904 campaign.
Battle of Waterberg: An August 1904 battle in which German forces fought Herero fighters near the Waterberg in German South West Africa. After the battle, von Trotha’s forces pursued Herero people toward the Omaheke region.
Herero uprising of 1904: An armed revolt by Herero communities against German colonial rule in German South West Africa, beginning in January 1904. The uprising prompted Germany to send von Trotha to take command.
Hendrik Witbooi: A Nama leader who fought German colonial rule in southern Africa and later joined the resistance against Germany. His resistance placed him among the opponents of German forces under von Trotha.
Nama people: A Khoekhoe-speaking people of southern Africa, including communities in present-day Namibia. Nama resistance followed the Herero war and was suppressed under German colonial rule.
Omaheke Desert: A dry region of eastern Namibia adjoining the Kalahari. German forces blocked escape routes and drove many Herero into this water-scarce region.

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