Leutwein (Theodor)

ELF JAHRE GOUVERNEUR IN DEUTSCH-SÜDWEST-AFRIKA

Mit 176 Abbildungen eun 20 Etizzen

Published: Berlin, 1907

Stock Number: #10143/1

Price: R1,500

589 pages, brown cloth with the original paper wrapper bound in before the title page, illustrated throughout with full page and other photographic illustrations, 20 sketch maps, bookplate on front paste-down endpaper, a good copy. Third Edition

Theodor Gotthilf Leutwein (9 May 1849 ? 13 April 1921) was colonial administrator of German Southwest Africa from 1894 to 1904 .Born in Strumpfelbrunn in the Grand Duchy of Baden, he joined the Prussian Army in 1868. Following several promotions he achieved the rank of major in 1893. In 1894 he replaced Curt von Fran?ois as commander of the Schutztruppe (Imperial Security Troop). His personal goal in German Southwest Africa was to create "colonialism without bloodshed". During his tenure there, Leutwein created a decentralized administration with three regional centres (Windhoek, Otjimbingwe and Keetmanshoop). The construction of the first railroad between Windhoek and the seaport of Swakopmund was built during his rule. In 1899 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, rising to the rank of colonel in 1901.His policies with the native Africans, which he called the "Leutwein System", was a mixture of diplomacy, "divide-and-rule" and military coercion. His relationship with the indigenous Namaqua and Herero tribes were tenuous at best. Conversely, he was often criticized by German colonists as being too lenient with the Africans. In 1904 an uprising by the Herero was the beginning of the end of his colonial leadership. Soon afterwards, Wilhelm II replaced Leutwein with the notorious General Lothar von Trotha. In 1906, Leutwein published an autobiography, an historical account of his career in German Southwest Africa. He died in Freiburg. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Leutwein