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German Colonization of Namibia Timeline Game

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About This Challenge

Explore the history of German colonization of Namibia (1884-1915) through a timeline game that challenges you to place events in their correct chronological order.

  • German colonization of Namibia began in 1884 with the establishment of a protectorate over the region.
  • The Herero and Namaqua genocide took place between 1904 and 1908, resulting in the deaths of thousands of indigenous Namibians.
  • The German colonial rule in Namibia came to an end in 1915 when South African forces occupied the territory during World War I.
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  • 1883: German merchant Franz Adolf Eduard Lüderitz buys land from a local chief, leading to the establishment of German South West Africa
  • 7 August 1884: The German government officially declares a protectorate over South West Africa
  • 1890: The German flag is raised in Windhoek, the capital of German South West Africa
  • 1904-1908: The Herero and Namaqua people rebel against German colonial rule in what becomes known as the Herero and Namaqua Genocide
  • 1905: The German colonial administration enacts the Land Act, which restricts land ownership to Germans, leading to further tensions with the indigenous population
  • 11-12 August 1904: The Battle of Waterberg takes place, resulting in the defeat of the Herero people by German forces
  • 2 October 1904: German forces under General Lothar von Trotha issue the Vernichtungsbefehl, or extermination order, against the Herero people
  • 1904-1908: The Nama people also rebel against German colonial rule, leading to further violence and repression
  • 1905: The Shark Island concentration camp is established by the Germans, where thousands of Herero and Nama people are interned and subjected to forced labor and harsh conditions
  • 1906: The last major battle of the Herero and Namaqua Genocide takes place at the Battle of Riet
  • 1908: The German colonial administration enacts the Forced Labour Ordinance, which further exploits the indigenous population for economic gain
  • 1908: The German government officially renames South West Africa as German South West Africa
  • 1915: The League of Nations mandates that South West Africa be administered by South Africa, effectively ending German colonial rule in the region
  • 1915: The South West Africa Campaign takes place during World War I, leading to the defeat of German forces by South African and British troops
  • 1919: The Treaty of Versailles formally transfers control of German South West Africa to South Africa
  • 1920: The League of Nations officially grants South Africa a mandate to administer South West Africa, which becomes known as Namibia
  • 1990: The United Nations takes over the administration of Namibia from South Africa, leading to the country's independence in 1990

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