Maji Maji Rebellion

There are many accounts of the Maji Maji rebellion and events leading up to the rebellion from the African perspective. In general the African perspective is always a more violent and cruel account than that of the German?s. Were the Germans really as cruel as they were depicted or were the accounts embellished do to the hatred they had for the Germans. ?In 1904, the Herero, feeling the cumulative and bitter effects of colonial rule in southwest Africa, t

ook advantage of the withdrawl of German troops from Hereroland to put down an uprising among the Bondelswarts, and revolted in January 1904, Killing 100 Germans, destroying several farms and capturing cattle? (Boahen). The German commander at that time was replaced by General Trotha. According to Boahen, General Trotha was a cruel and vicious man. General Trotha decided that a total German military victory was the only acceptable way of dealing with the Herero. The plan of Trotha was complete destruction of the Herero by using ruthless tactics and massacre. ?Between 75 and 80 percent of an estimated Herero poulation of between 60 and 80 thousand were slaughtered. 4 thousand of them were put into prison camps and 2 thousand managed to escape to South Africa? (Boahen). Boahen felt that the actions of Germany were brutal and unnecessary. Germany had turned the land that they colonized into slave camps. Harsh rules were imposed and enforced with violence. Africans that worked the fields were forced to work all day. If a worker stopped working or even sttod up they would be whipped. On some occasions, the oppressed African would refuse to work, and could potentially be put to death for doing so. Boahen?s accounts of Germany during colonization would label the Germans as a violent people who cared nothing about fairness or equality. If one were to just rely on Boahen for a description of Germany during colonization it would be thought that every description made would be true. Inconsistencies with Boahen?s account are found in an interview given in Kalenga to man by the name of Nyikondo Mwakisega. This man?s village was defeated by the Germans and the people were forced to work for the Germans in combating the Maji Maji rebellion. Based on Boahen?s accounts one would believe that the Germans would have left no survivors or at least forced them to do hard labor with the threat of beating if left undone. Mwakisega was given the opportunity to speak his mind about the Germans with no restrictions. Keep in mind that this is the account of a membe

Some topics in this essay:
Africans Akidas, Based Boahens, Boahen Boahen, Akidas German, Boahen Trotha, Germans Germans, Europeans Dissatisfaction, Maji Maji, East Africa, Maji Rebellion, maji maji, maji maji rebellion, maji rebellion, european countries, pakenham 616, cotton crops, accounts boahen, african accounts, defeated germans, accounts germans, according germans,