Southwest Africa Under Mandate

A meticulous and thought-provoking historical analysis, Southwest Africa Under Mandate explores the complex political, legal, and social dynamics of Namibia (then Southwest Africa) during its administration under a League of Nations mandate following World War I. Robert Love Braum delves into the administration of the territory by South Africa, examining the legal controversies, international debates, and local consequences of the mandate system.

Drawing on international law, archival research, and contemporary reports, Braum provides a compelling narrative that not only contextualizes Southwest Africa’s colonial legacy but also investigates its broader implications for international governance and self-determination movements in the 20th century. The book critically assesses how the mandate system, originally designed to advance the interests of indigenous populations, was subverted and challenged on the global stage—especially in the lead-up to the formation of the United Nations and the decolonization era.

Essential reading for scholars of African history, international law, and colonial studies, this work offers a rigorous yet accessible account of one of the most contested chapters in Southern African history.