Explain the reasons for German colonization of Namibia, the purpose of protection treaties, the role of Chief Maharero, and the German government's actions in Namibia.

2.2. Germany wanted to colonise Namibia for the following reasons:

• To gain access to valuable mineral resources like diamonds and copper.
• To establish a strategic naval base along the coast and expand its colonial empire for prestige.

3.1. Protection treaties were agreements signed between German representatives and indigenous leaders in Namibia, where the indigenous leaders supposedly placed their land and people under German "protection" in exchange for goods or security.

3.2. The Germans signed protection treaties with indigenous leaders to:

• Legitimise their claim to the territory under international law, especially after the Berlin Conference.
• Gain control over land and resources without immediate military conflict, facilitating their colonial expansion.

4.1. Chief Maharero was a prominent leader of the Herero people in German South West Africa (Namibia).

4.2. Chief Maharero declared the treaty no longer valid because:

• The Germans were encroaching on Herero land and interfering with their traditional way of life.
• The Germans were exploiting Herero resources and imposing their authority, undermining Herero sovereignty.

5.1. The German government sent troops to Namibia to:

• Suppress indigenous uprisings and resistance, such as the Herero and Nama rebellions.
• Enforce German colonial authority and protect German settlers and their economic interests.

5.2. This tells us that the relationship between Germans and indigenous people was one of conflict and oppression, where Germany used military force to assert dominance and control over the indigenous population.