German Imperialism

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In their respective articles, both Daniel Walther and Isabel Hull address the German imperialistic theme pertaining to the implementation and presence of Deutschtum (i.e., German cultural characteristics) and the German way of life in German colonies in Africa, primarily in German Southwest Africa. It can be understood that this was done in order to establish German influence and superiority in its colonies abroad. Walther looks at how the education model in African colonies sought to cultivate young, nationalistic Germans at an early age, even though they were growing up away from the fatherland. Conversely, Hull addresses this theme as it pertains to how Germans in Africa attempted to use Germany’s military culture to address the Herero and …show more content…

Hull argues that the Germans addressed the Herero revolt with a German-specific mentality that included the practice of organizing a single battle to annihilate the enemy as well as the doctrine of doing whatever is necessary for victory. Since these were some of the first military actions taken by Germany against non-European opponents, it can be understood that fighting against the Herero and Nama was unconventional for the German soldiers brought to the African colonies, who most likely only had previous experience fighting other …show more content…

It is important to keep in mind that the Herero and Nama most likely did not have the same military technology as the German soldiers. Therefore, it can be further understood that this wasn’t the conventional European war that Germans were used to. However, they still fought as they would in Europe, which resulted in the mass killings of the Herero and Nama. In approaching the revolts in this way, military Deutschtum was implemented in German Southwest Africa. While they dealt with different aspects of colonial life in German colonies in Africa, both Hull and Walther’s arguments address how German influence was used and implemented in German colonial societies. Whether or not it was through primary childhood education or militaristic tactics and agendas, aspects of Deutschtum circulated in colonial society, giving those not physically in the Germany either a positive or negative sample of the German

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