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Theodor Leutwein | |
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| Governor ofGerman South West Africa | |
| In office 15 March 1894 – 19 August 1905 | |
| Monarch | Wilhelm II |
| Chancellor | Leo von Caprivi Chlodwig Carl Viktor Bernhard von Bülow |
| Director of the Colonial Department | Paul Kayser Oswald von Richthofen Gerhard von Buchka Oscar Wilhelm Stübel Prince Ernst II of Hohenlohe-Langenburg |
| Preceded by | Curt von François |
| Succeeded by | Lothar von Trotha |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1849-05-19)19 May 1849 |
| Died | 13 April 1921(1921-04-13) (aged 71) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Grand Duchy of Baden (1868–1871) German Empire (1871–1905) |
| Branch/service |  Baden Army Prussian ArmySchutztruppe |
| Years of service | 1868–1905 |
| Rank | Colonel char.Generalmajor |
| Commands | Imperial Schutztruppe for German South West Africa |
| Battles/wars | Franco-Prussian War Khaua-Mbandjeru rebellion Herero Wars |
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Theodor Gotthilf Leutwein (9 May 1849 – 13 April 1921) was a German military officer and colonial administrator who served asLandeshauptmann and governor ofGerman South West Africa from 1894 to 1905.
Leutwein was born inStrümpfelbrunn in theGrand Duchy of Baden. He joined theBaden Army in 1868, served in theFranco-Prussian War and afterwards was taken over into thePrussian Army. Following several promotions he achieved the rank of major in 1893. In 1894 he replacedCurt von François as commander of theImperial Schutztruppe for German South West Africa (Imperial Security Troop). His personal goal in the colony was to create "colonialism without bloodshed". During his tenure there, Leutwein created a decentralized administration with three regional centers (Windhoek,Otjimbingwe andKeetmanshoop). The construction of the first railroad between Windhoek and the seaport ofSwakopmund was built during his rule. In 1899 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, rising to the rank of colonel in 1901.[1]
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 indigenousNama andHerero tribes were tenuous at best. Conversely, he was often criticized by German colonists as being too lenient with the Africans. In 1904 anuprising by the Herero was the beginning of the end of his colonial leadership. Soon after the uprising beganWilhelm II replaced Leutwein with the notorious GeneralLothar von Trotha.[1] In May 1904 he admitted that the Germans had not taken one Herero prisoner, following an inquiry by theSDAPReichstag deputyAugust Bebel.[2]
In 1906, Leutwein published an autobiography, "Elf Jahre als Gouverneur in Deutsch-Südwestafrika"[3] ("Eleven Years as Governor in German South West Africa"), an historical account of his career in German Southwest Africa. He died inFreiburg.[1]
Governors ofGerman South West Africa (1883–1915) | ||
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