A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...
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The decisive expression of the restriction of African movement was through the<br />
“half-free labour market” policy. While slavery was technically abolished, this servitude<br />
was tolerated through the government system of “slave ransoming” where former slaves<br />
were forced to work in debt peonage until a ransom had been paid. 94 Even after freedom<br />
had been gained, the movement restrictions forbade the migration of ex-slaves away from<br />
their work. <strong>German</strong> attempts to acquire further control over the hinterland were<br />
predicated upon this exploitation of the colonial labour force through quasi-slavery.<br />
While former slaves often manipulated the system to further their own interests, as<br />
Sunseri remarks, the overall effect of the labour system was the destruction of traditional<br />
native social formations and a potent challenge to native existence. 95<br />
In contrast to government policy on native issues, government policy was rather<br />
one-dimensional with regard to the various colonial companies. The government<br />
affirmed the primacy of the profit motive and was consequently driven by fears of the<br />
loss of its colonies to either internal or external enemies. To prevent British companies’<br />
attempts to annex parts of Southwest Africa to South Africa, the <strong>German</strong> government<br />
cemented <strong>German</strong> control over the territory through the introduction of local<br />
administrators and companies. 96 An excellent example of expansionist desires was the<br />
fact that while official government policy did not encourage interference in other<br />
colonies, tacit government approval for vigilante expansionism was assumed by <strong>German</strong><br />
traders. 97 This assumption provoked a number of minor border incidents with<br />
neighbouring colonies when settlers and traders transgressed the limits of <strong>German</strong><br />
territory. Further evidence of collusion between policy, social organizations and<br />
companies was the government’s use of the DKG as consultative body for government<br />
96