Lothar von Trotha was a German general known for his role in the colonial conflicts in German South West Africa during the early 20th century. He is most infamously associated with the suppression of the Herero and Nama peoples, where his military strategies led to significant loss of life and displacement. Von Trotha's actions are often cited in discussions about colonialism and genocide, particularly regarding the Herero and Namaqua Genocide from 1904 to 1908. His orders to exterminate the Herero and his use of concentration camps have made him a controversial figure in history, representing the darker aspects of European imperialism.