German South West Africa was a colony established by Germany in the late 19th century, covering present-day Namibia. It was part of the broader scramble for Africa, where European powers sought to expand their territories. The colony was officially declared in 1884 and lasted until World War I. During its rule, the German government implemented agricultural and mining projects, leading to significant economic development. However, this period was also marked by severe conflicts, including the Herero and Namaqua Genocide, where thousands of indigenous people were killed. The colony was eventually taken over by South African forces in 1915.