A Deterritorialized History: Investigating German Colonialism ...

German popular desires were intrinsically connected to government policy and its
relation to African populations. There appear to be two policies at work within German
colonial strategy: a “pro-native” policy and a native-destroying policy. “Colonization is
always inhumane,” opined Southwest Africa’s Governor Leutwein unashamedly. 70
Nevertheless, some elements of German policy can be construed as more positive with
regard to native populations than others. Though these are both arbitrary distinctions,
separating them like this acknowledges the poles of colonial policy. Lastly, while both
assisted the expansion of German control in the colonies, the latter became predominant
in certain contexts.
Through the expansion across African territory and increasing contact with the
African population, pro-native colonial policy endeavoured to build up the local
infrastructure, constructing everything from telegraphs and hospitals to prisons and
breweries. Though developments like the latter two have obviously negative
connotations for Africans, the German technological improvements were predicated upon
a desire to not only expand German power and enlarge profits but also to assist the
African native. The development of a colonial episteme was also based upon a genuine
desire to facilitate the above and to acquaint colonial bureaucrats with African culture
and society. Many of these efforts were also designed to guarantee friendly tribal support
since this assistance remained vital to military expeditions against hostile tribes as well as
the process of expansion. 71 Through a divide-and-rule policy, colonial administrators and
traders offered weapons, ammunition and liquor as bribes to friendly native tribes. 72 But
the underlying aim of expansion guaranteed that conflict would be eventually visited
upon hostile and friendly tribes alike as Germany expanded its sovereignty.
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