A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

extension of deterritorialization through the combination of state and capitalist forces in a
violence-perpetuating system. It is also through deterritorialization that empires are able
to shift from their autochthonous territory to acquire new territory. Likewise,
compensatory actions of reterritorialization are present in resistance to colonialism.
Unsurprising given the authors’ connection to empire, economics, the state,
society and territory, history also forms a considerable element of their thought. Though
Deleuze espouses the possibility that human nature could not be understood by history
and both authors rail against the “sedentary” vision of history, overall they appreciate
history and only suggest new approaches to historiography to correct difficulties. 38 This
is evident in the vital role the authors give to “difference and repetition” and a universal
history where forces of desire and power shape society. 39 By working toward a
“coexistence” of events instead of a “succession,” the historian can render “the history of
contingencies and encounters.” 40 Concurrently, Deleuze and Guattari call upon historians
to investigate the social stratum and look to the deep structures that lie beneath. 41
Some of Deleuze and Guattari’s visions of history appear excessively relativist or
to negate history. Yet their work is heavily informed by historiography and can even be
considered a historical investigation. Deleuze in particular argues the importance of
empirical knowledge to historical awareness. 42 Their history is a highly unpredictable
and contingent history, but it is only degrees more contingent than the history written by
most academic historians. The authors clearly intend their ideas to be applied to
historical formations for they always seek to determine significant themes in human
interaction in the past, present and the future. In this context, their theory emerges as
another new species of the “intellectual history” that Elizabeth A. Clark sees as beneficial
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