A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

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