--- title: "Colonial and Nazi Violence Compared in New Exhibition" url: https://newscentral.site/colonial-and-nazi-violence-compared-in-new-exhibition/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-11-10T15:49:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-10T18:40:33.970Z id: 54d65b0d-e55a-4ef7-82ec-fd39c3ed81ab source: "DW English https://www.dw.com/en/controversial-kinship-from-colonial-rule-to-the-holocaust/a-79902228?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/colonial-and-nazi-violence-compared-in-new-exhibition/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Colonial and Nazi Violence Compared in New Exhibition A new exhibition at the German Historical Museum explores the similarities between colonial and Nazi systems of oppression, sparking controversy among historians. A new exhibition at the German Historical Museum in Berlin is sparking controversy over the connections between colonial and Nazi violence. The show, titled "Controversial Kinship: Colonial and National Socialist Violence," explores the similarities between the two systems of oppression. The comparison between colonial and Nazi rule has long been a topic of debate among historians. Some argue that Nazism was shaped by the age of empire, with Adolf Hitler himself drawing parallels between Eastern Europe and "Germany's India in 1941. He likened the British colonial model to his own vision for a vast German empire, where a small number of people would rule over a large territory. Historians are divided on whether such comparisons risk trivializing Nazi crimes, particularly the Holocaust. The fear is that by drawing parallels with colonial violence, the uniqueness and horror of the Holocaust may be diminished. Others counter that this intense focus on the Nazi era has come at the expense of acknowledging Germany's own colonial past. Stephan Malinowski, a Professor of Modern European History at the University of Edinburgh, believes that comparisons between colonial and Nazi rule are essential to understanding the complexities of historical violence. He argues that other colonial powers such as Britain, France, Spain, and Portugal have not been held accountable for their own colonial crimes, despite their extensive records of violence. Malinowski's new exhibition does not aim to resolve this debate but rather to present its story in a nuanced manner. The exhibition's thought-provoking display of a whip used in African colonies alongside a canister of Zyklon B highlights the stark contrast between colonial violence and the industrialized mass murder of the Holocaust. However, this juxtaposition also reveals connections between these seemingly disparate events. Whips were indeed used as instruments of control in Nazi concentration camps, while Fascist Italy employed chemical weapons against civilians and soldiers during its invasion of Ethiopia in 1935-36. This raises questions about the historical context in which colonialism and fascism coexisted. Historians have long noted that the 1930s saw a surge in anti-colonial thought across various regions, including India and the Caribbean. The Trinidadian journalist George Padmore observed in 1938 that the exploits of Hitler and Mussolini were not new or original, but rather a continuation of colonial practices. Colonial rule was marked by extreme violence and exploitation, often enforced through brutal measures such as executions, amputations, and sexual violence. In her book The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt argued that colonial territories served as testing grounds for racial ideologies and domination practices that would later resurface in Europe. Arendt's work highlights the complex historical dynamics at play, where colonial policies eventually boomeranged back into Europe, influencing totalitarian politics. The notorious Congo Free State, a private colony of King Leopold II from 1885 to 1908, exemplified this brutal exploitation. The regime's reliance on forced labor was a hallmark of Nazi rule, with millions subjected to exploitation and Vernichtung durch Arbeit" ("extermination through work"). This practice bore striking similarities to the transatlantic slave trade, with the Nazis extracting value from their victims at every stage. The goals of colonial powers and Nazi regimes may have been distinct, despite sharing a foundation of racism. Colonial empires often presented assimilation as a path to advancement, encouraging colonized people to adopt European culture and serve imperial interests. This could lead to opportunities for a select few at elite institutions such as Oxford or Cambridge. Historian Edward Kissi notes that colonial violence was not necessarily less extreme than Nazi violence. While the two were different in nature, with Nazi violence being annihilatory and exterminatory, Kissi highlights the example of forced sterilization of Black-Germans and people of African descent in Germany under Nazi rule. This contrasts with the approach taken by European colonial powers in Africa. The use of violence as a tool for colonial control is exemplified in the "Vernichtungsbefehl" ("extermination order) issued by German General Lothar von Trotha on October 2, 1904. The order was given following the Herero uprising in German South West Africa (present-day Namibia), and its motivations are seen as a combination of racial ideology, terrorization of the population, and efforts to secure control over land, labor, and resources. Historians estimate that between 1904 and 1908, around 60,000 to 80,000 Herero (around 80% of the population) and 10,000 Nama (around half the population) died as a result of this order. The exhibition organizers deliberately avoid drawing direct comparisons between colonial-era atrocities and the Holocaust, instead highlighting the distinct characteristics of each event. A key point of divergence is the systematic and industrialized nature of the Holocaust, where millions of Jews were murdered solely for being Jewish. This is in stark contrast to the colonial era, where violence was often a byproduct of conquest and subjugation rather than a primary goal. The deportation of 1,800 Jews from Rhodes and Kos in July 1944 serves as a striking example of Nazi persecution's irrationality. Despite the war effort being all but lost, these communities were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz, where most were killed upon arrival, defying any logical military or economic justification. This issue has been at the heart of a long-standing debate among historians, with some arguing that Nazism must be understood within the broader context of 20th-century violence. Critics have accused this perspective of downplaying Germany's responsibility for Nazi atrocities. In recent years, a new wave of debate has emerged, focusing on whether the Holocaust should remain a singular reference point in German memory culture or be contextualized alongside other histories of colonialism and racism. The discussion now centers on the implications of comparison rather than its legitimacy. The mass murder of tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people during four years of German colonial rule is increasingly recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century, with Germany's government acknowledging it as such from today's perspective. However, this recognition has not yet led to formal reparations or acceptance of legal liability. The exhibition's exploration of colonialism and its legacy continues to spark controversy and debate among visitors. Germany's acknowledgment of its role in the Holocaust serves as a stark contrast to its handling of its colonial past, according to historian Kissi. He argues that Germany's reluctance to confront its colonial history is reflective of broader global debates surrounding historical injustices, including slavery in the US, the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, and the Armenian genocide in Turkey. The complexities of Germany's identity are deeply intertwined with its colonial legacy, and examining this history provides a crucial context for understanding the country's present. By dissociating itself from its violent past, Germany risks perpetuating historical patterns that continue to shape its national identity. Visitors' comments on display at the exhibition's epilogue reflect the tensions surrounding these debates, even if the exhibition itself does not directly address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or other contemporary issues. The juxtaposition of colonialism and the Holocaust serves as a powerful reminder of the need for nuanced understanding and accountability. In Kissi's words, Germany and others with similar histories must be cautious not to disavow their pasts, lest they perpetuate historical patterns that continue to shape their identities. The exhibition Controversial Kinship: Colonial and National Socialist Violence" at the German Historical Museum in Berlin continues to spark intense discussions about the country's complex past. The display highlights the parallels between colonial rule and the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime during World War II. Germany's tumultuous history has left a lasting impact on its identity, with many questioning whether it is possible for nations with such dark legacies to truly move forward. --- Source: [DW English](https://www.dw.com/en/controversial-kinship-from-colonial-rule-to-the-holocaust/a-79902228?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/colonial-and-nazi-violence-compared-in-new-exhibition/