Colonialism key ideas
Imagined/ dependent on creation from members
Nationalism is a doctrine invented by Europe in the 19th century. ie German. It produces the nation state and maintain it. The nation only continues as long as the people think they belong to it, it has no objective reality. There is an imagined sense of community shared with people who will never meet each other. Who created it?, for what reason? why has it been maintained?
Remapping/ counter mapping?
Ralph Peters in the US armed Forces Journal 2006) regions issues are not caused by Islam but by "international boundaries worshipped by our own diplomats" Redrawing the map could be beneficial, he points to many other boundaries being redrawn throughout history ie Congo to Kosovo. Michael F. Davie in 2003) Wanted to explore the possible repercussions of the US led invasion of Iraw for political stability. He suggested that it could cause Iraq to be divided into Kurds, Sunnis and Shia, and ethnic cleaning could occur.
Colonialism and its impact on the modern world
"Europe and the people without history" Wolf, Eric history to a moral success story, or a race. Passing along liberty and education those behind. Turning names into things we create false models of reality. By giving nations, societies and cultures with qualities of internally homogeneous and externally distinctive objects we create a model of the world as a global pool in which the entities spin off each other difference can then be used in justifications of wars ie the cold war. Rise is social sciences occurred in the middle of the 20th century
American the Origins of the Modern World (spain)
(Galeano 1971) The Hapsburgs did their best to help the Spanish industry to die out by the mid sixteenth century. Their reign eneded in 1700 while bankruptcy, chronic unemployment, ruined industry and lost wars. Then on to Philip V -In mid sixteenth century Spain outlawed importing foreign books and barred students from taking courses outside of Spain. There later came a push towards giving the natives wages and some legal protection, but this was a façade. In 1601 forced labour was banned in the mines by decree but a secret instruction ordering its continuation was sent. The compilation of the laws established equal rights of Indians and Spaniards to exploit the mines and forbidding any infringement of Indian rights.
America and the Origins of the Modern World 1400-
(Galeano 1971) In 1492 Spain reconquered Granada and discovered America. There was a holy war between Christian and Islam and in 1492, hundred 50,000 Jews were expelled from the country. Queen Isabel was ordained by Pope Alexander as a proprietor and Master of the New World. This expansion of castile meant God now reigned over the earth By mid seventeenth century silver constituted more than 99% of mineral exports from Spanish America. The metals taken from Latin American kept European economy a float.
Marx and Slavery
-Labour power (marx) their labour was all they had to sell. Most saw slavery as form of labour = would wither away. There was no global national economies instead of their nations economy. -Marx Previous ways of reproducing social live was through forced labour. With capitalism the labour was then not forced. But they still do have to work because they will starve otherwise.= modernity Thus slavery would be seen as premodern system. It survived in some areas but would die out soon. -Marx recognised that slavery was a major part of the interlocking capitalist system of the globe. Capitalism was forged from slavery. - i.e. tobacco for export trade. It used a large labour force, that needed a complex and skilled division of labour and systematic forms of control.
hard to define a nation/ nationalism?
-There is no definitive checklist to define a nation Historically defined by language then race- no such thing as races. Religion- Chrisentdom was broken for nationalism. Shared culture and history- there is no clarity, just stated what it is currently. we will project in history nations when they were not seen as nations at the time. Nations try to created standardise identity- After french revolution they had to teach french to everyone. Thinks though of as being integral to cultural identityi.e Welsh and singing (only happened with mines closing) To try and define we must look at the Structures of feelings, ways of creating meaning in a changing world,look at ideas like self determination have shaped the world. The world is not organised where people only have identities and rights because of nation states.
Enlightenment ideas and slavery
1) scientific racism- Non white people are not men (human)19th century -20th century. Attempts to hierarchy the races. Thus their is no contradiction between liberty and slavery. Only after world war 2 it was then not seen as respectable form of science by general public. 2)Improvement and historic- The idea that the course of human history is from human progress through history- land to industry etc. Humans are climbing up a ladder, some are ahead or behind. Different people are at different levels of societal progress. Could be a moral duty for those to rule over others who are behind. -If left to their own devices would be a wreak, we will teach them how to properly live in society. -These ideas are still present as seeing some cultures are medieval, behind
Key info on Slavery
15th -early 19th century- west coast of Africa from African merchants. transported with 300-400 in one ship. Over the Atlantic to the America's. Sold then in markets to plantations owners. And the boat was load up with plantation stock. (triangle trade) 6 million African's were transported.
The age of empire and Imperalism
1875- 1914 was the age of empire and new kinds of imperialism. Then came a new kind of empire, the colonial. . Between 1880 and 1914 Most of the world outside of Europe and Americas was partitioned into territories und with formal and informal political dominance. The Monroe doctrine- 1823 Expressed hostility to any further colonization/ interference by Europe in the western hemisphere. (pushed by the USA for dominance) Between 1876 and 1915 about a quarter of the surface of the world was redistriburd among a half dozen states. In the 1890s observers believed this was a new stage in capitalist development- Imperialism.
Orientalism
Academic- "Anyone who teaches, writes about, or researches the Orient- whether they are an anthropologist, sociologist, historian or philologist- either in its specific or general aspects, is an Orientalist and what he or she does is Orientalism. Style of thought- "Orientalism is a style of thought based on an ontological and epistemological difference between the orient and (most of the time) 'the Occident' Institution-" Orientalism can be discussed and analysed as the corporate institution for dealing with the Orient... in short, Orientalism is a Western style for dominating, restructuring and having authority over the Orient. Orientalist Archetypes- Oriental Despot- lazy and authoritarian, cruel leaders/ dictators, greedy and selfish and making decisions on a whim. Landscape and Wildlife- the description of the people and the world life are merged together. The people are part of the wildlife. Languid/decadent-A sensuality and luxurious
Example of Resistance
Black lives movement 1999 Police killed a migrant in New York and it encouraged police to train to improve the system. They challenged the narratives that the --US is built apon. -Fergaston sparked the movement again. That they have over come racism and work hard over and get to the top. i.e Obama -They moved into American ghettos. Many worked into factories, but when companies globalised they fired their -workers.- increased poverty and crimalised. They 40% of prisoners in the US are black males.
Indian Colonial history
Britain had been trading in India since about 1600, but it did not begin to seize large sections of land until 1757, after the Battle of Plassey. Indian civil service was created, they ran india so anything harmful to their interests was harmful to India's interests. The feudal lords from England saw India as estate under their rule (east india company) The amount of power that the English viceroys had over India (absolute authority unparralled elsewhere aside from Hitler) The plunder of Bengal helps Industrial Revolution in England The areas of India which had been under British rule: this is the poorest today The East India company monopolised the export business in India so excluded other foreign markets and even internal trade. British goods had free entry, the Indian textile industry collapse continue throughout the 19th century, breaking up old industries including chipmaking and metalworking. Previously man was communally owned, but with the introduction of the landlord system - did family structures but they have another countries change due to private property laws i.e. strict marriage laws and more patriarchal society? Muslim/ Hindu problem can be traced back to this extreme collection of revenue resulting many peasants having to leave. In Bengal most land owners were hindu and those that lived on the land were muslim. The largest impact of the west came in the 19th century through the technical changes. The upper classes accepted western customs now repelled from customs of Hinduism.
Theories for why Europeans colonised Africa
By 1880 the Es knew about A physical appearance, terrain, economy and other resources and the strengths and weaknesses of its states and socities than the Africas did, due to all the exploration and missionaries. Europeans had more advanced medical technology especially discovery treatment for malaria so less fearful of A. Uneven nature of the trade between E and A up to the 1870s and pace of industrial revolution the resources available to E was overwhelming in comparision. After the Russo- Turkish war of 1877-8 E was going through a political peaceful time, in contrast A had inter state and intra state conflict. Mande against Tukuloor, Asante against the Fante, the Baganda against the Banyoro. E was able to focus military efforts overseas, Africa had its attention divided. The E had access to more advanced weapons such as the gatling gun, motor vehicles and planes. Very few states in A recruited professional armies. The Brussels convention of 1890, the imperial powers agreed to not sell arms to A, so they were left with bows and arrows, spears and had no heavy artillery. (timing was everything) After the Partition- A partitioned into 40 political units, the boundaries for some were arbitrary and haphazard which distorted the national pre European political order. Many bourdaries were just straight across which cut over ethnic and linguistic boundaries. The remaining boundaries follow natural boundaries so cant be arbitrary or ill considered.
Exhibitions and empire Eric Hobsbawm "Great rituals of colonial self congratulations"
Crystal Palace 1851-first exposition. Some of the British colonial countries verything was for sale, fetishism of consumerism. Capitalism and colonialism coming together. The centre of the exposition were the europeans and the colonies were on the outskirts in pavolinans - Foucault ideas of power. Colony countries people were shipped over and examined like zoo animals. The performative aspects of everyday life. The ideas that "... the gaze has no effect" The rise of cinema and the European society were gazing societies. Franz Boas documented indigenous practices on fair grounds. Later recreated them thus we don't need the real thing= justifies genocide. Science and entertainment- Didactic mission to side show. Science and curiosity coming together. There were also then peep show of the east tended to be erotic.
Gandhi and Indian Nationalism
Gandi knows how to speak to ordinary people, which the elite cant do so. He draws deeply on Hindu traditions, he tried to build peace between Muslims and Hindus. Nehru has a westernised solution to India, sees issue with Ghanis ideas, they are backward and reactionary. Ghandi imaged India as desiring the British empire, and were seduced by them. British empire has bad qualities they India shouldn't want. We shouldn't want to be like Britain, we are a nation that are humble etc. modernity will not satisfy our true wants and desires. Ghandi wanted the congress to dispand the congress once independence was achieved, which people that fought for were unlikely to be happy about.
Theories for why Europeans colonised Africa
Economic theory- (used to be a popular theory) Rosa Luxemburg said that imperialism was the final stage of capitalism- to spread capitalism globally. Capitalism was doomed to self-destruction would lead to war between capitalists and the exploited nations. War is inevitable from imperialism which would cause the death of capitalism. (Marxists, third world nationalists and radicals) Psychological theory- Social Darwinism- 1859 The origins of the species by means of natural selection or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. Evangelical Christianity- Broader missionary and humanitarian impulse to westnization of Africa's. Has a limited application as some missionaries worked actively against. Social atavism-Joseph Schumpeter thought imperialism was not economic but mans desire to dominate others just for the sake of dominating with a thirst for power and domination. Argues capitalism is anti imperialist and benign.
The World as Exhibition Timothy Mitchell
Europe recreated areas of colonial countries. They wanted to prove their was an objective truth, and there was a certainty of representation through these objects The exhibition resembled the commercial machinery of the rest of the city. (pay for the donkey rides etc) 1850- European writing about first trip to Cairo= found the it "bewildering chaos of colours" an absence of picturest order. They tried to grasp the real Cairo as if it was a picture.
Beginning of Colonialism
Exploration-1492 Christopher Columbus discovers America. Portuguese exploration of African coast 1430-1498. Period of early contact, conquest, settlement, and colonization. This is colonialism by cultural imposition- Religion. Economy (profit orientated colonialism) - Exploiting their territories as they are under European control. 4) Modern Science- defines differences between people.
Cartography and colonialism
Maps assisted in colonialism they also had significant impact on the understanding of space, culturally and historically coded. The ordnance survey started in 1747 by Prince William Duke of Cumberland.Poverty distubution map was created for social reform in London. The european translated the natives maps to more a singular logic, instead of rich mapping. European understanding of space colonised the native. Once they are put on their own map they dont need the native map and they don't need the native either. Maps are useless to people untell you put signs everywhere (colonise the land) The land needs to be transformed to look like a map.
Representation on display/ museums
First collection were in churches, relicts of saints. (body parts) Curiosity cabinets- from church collections to the princely collections (Renaissance) later to Merchants. Showcase stately power, status and wealth, lots brought back from the new world. The Modern Museum (cathedrals of reason)-19 th century EnlightenmentThe museum could rise the moral fiber, similar to church.
Ideas/ Academics that influenced Said (Orientalism)
Fourcault-(1926-84) power/Knowledge/Discourse Sees power not as a commodity that individual holds. linked with knowledge formations, institutions, and subject positions. Influenced Saids idea of power Gramsci Hegemony =. It is hegemony at work that gives Orientalism the durability and the strength. linked with knowledge formations, institutions, and subject positions.
The scrabble for Africa begins
From 1870s onwards, Europeans competed with each other to gain as much African territory, mostly by negotiating treaties with indigenous rulers. , but direct action was limited. Germany and Britain were able to wield their influence freely. This changed by 3 events between 1876 and 1880. The Duke of Brabant was crowned a constitutional kind (Leopold I) of Belgium in 1865 proclaimed in Afica- set up the African international association had people explore the congos. Second event was from the portugese from 1876 , sent expeditions of the independent estates of the afro portugese rulers in Mozambique. Third event to set the partition was expansionist mood from the French colonial policy between 1879 and 1880 and the partipating with Britain for control over Egypt (1870)- seen as the trigger for some academics, then going towards western Sudan in 1879- they were now commited to colonial expansion and creating formal colonies. No longer did Britain or Germany want informal control instead- formal policy. The Berlin Conference 1884-5 Treat making 1885-1902- Europe had sphere of influence before the Berlin conference. Through settlement, exploration and commercial posts, missionary settlement, and occupation of strategic areas and making treaties with African rulers. military conquest 1885-1902- the French were the most active for policy of military conquest.
What is Neo- Colonialism
Once the countries had their own national identities and insitutions. But economically it was the same as before. They left social intuition and economic constraints. With loans come interests and interests come conditions. The world market are very particular roles. Raw material would be sold then would buy back the processed product - crude oil= Tupperware
Writing about the Orient
Orientalism borrowed and was informed by strong ideas from the ruling culture - linguistic orient, Freudian Orient, Darwinian orient and a racist orient. There has never been a pure or unconditional or nonmaterial form of orientalism. To counter orientalist texts The methodological way to study authority is through strategic location- a way of describing the authors position in a text of oriental material. Stragtegic formation The authors need to orientate themselves within their text which includes the kind of narrative voice they adopt, type of structure they build, kinds of images, themes, motifs that circulate in the text all ways of addressing the reader.
Remapping the Middle East (Sykes Picot agreement)
Secret treaty between the UK, France and Italy and Russia on distributed spheres of control over the Ottoman empire. This created--- Syria, Lebanon and Iraq are all new artificial states, all with different ethic groups with few common loyalities. Socities that have religious and ethnic diversity is implied to produce structural instability on a political level. Due to the states being artificially created, it prevented the population supporting them. The state builders in Iraq and Syria have used coercion and repression with brutal force. These states then are inherently inhospitable to democracy Thinking that we are able to correct the artificial states of the Sykes Picot for 'natural states' misconceived from the very beginning. All of these maps are a dream, they symbolize imperial self delusion, social engineering, the will to power, political techno fetishism, Utopian yearning, messianic promise. To overcome the problems of political geography, we must resist the cartographic imagination.
Japanese imperialism similar to Western imperialism?
Seen as hyrid imperialism, it was a semi colonial colistion between the west and colonised countries. The scientific "fact" of race couldn't be changed, but what they could do was distance themselves from this image. Asian countries as children, they need to grow up - to be able to take responsibility for their own countries running. They claim that Korea and Japan were part of the same race = Panasianism. This was to encourage Japanese assimilation. They were going spearhead the liberation of Asia. some countries were seduced by these ideas, including some in India, to help against British powers. Japan was participating in these race scientific experiments (comparing brain sizes between Japanese and Western power)
Why do does Europe need to dominate?
So why was there a need to dominate these areas of the globe. The anti- imperialist view argues: Capitalism needs more profitable investment than could be produced at home. The profits from trade didn't really go into the new colonial empire: most of British foreign investment went to developing the old white- settler colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) and some to (Argentina, USA and Uruguay) 76% in 1913 went to public loans to railways and public utilities, this was less lucrative than the profits of industrial capital at home. Another argument for expansion was the search for markets. Most believed that the "over production" of the great depression could be solved by driving exports. The vast populations of China and Africa were seen as possible market places for these exports because of size of population. If you carve out their own territories they would have a monopoly over national business. In a way the protectionaism idea) In this view the new imperialism was the natural by product of an international economy based on the rivalry of several competing industrial economies, intensified by the economic pressure of 1880s.
The process of Imperalism
Some argue that imperialism is not a new concept, its pre-capitalist Lenin along with Marxists/ third way after 1917 were critical of imperalism. The Lenin analysis was that the new imperialism had economic roots in a specific new phase of capitalism, which led to territorial division of the world among the capitalist powers and set of formal and informal colonies and spheres of influence.- led in part to WW1 Others deny its economic roots, benefits to the imperialist's economy, and the exploitation of backward zones was essential to capitalism, and its negative effects on colonial economies. Creation of single global market in 19th century. Globalisation accelerated in the middle of 19th century. As the worlds railway networks expanded from just over 200,000 kilometres (1870) to over 1 million kilometres just before WW1. Technology (ie the internal combustion engine) now needed raw materials, which tended to be in remote places. This relied on oil and rubber, oil from the USA, Europe and later Russia and Rumania.
Japans growing imperialism
The Meji government wanted a strong army to hold back the west. (Britain had gone to war in China and obtained Hong Kong. France had already started their push for indochina. Japan distanced themselves from Asian neighbours 1871, tried to obtain treaty privileges that the west receive, they then impose themselves, in Korea they did the same. In the 16th century, first contact from Japanese with Europeans (portugese) There are missioner and trades in Japan. The woodblocks from this time first represented a peaceful existence including multiple races When at war with Japan, the Chineses are represented as backwards, able to dominate/ win with just one person against large amounts of Chinese military. They borrowed western colonial discourse, but could never be part of the European race/ power.
Theories for why Europeans colonised Africa (why was it considered disable?)
The diplomatic theories - Purely political, most popular explanation. National prestige- Hayes- new imperialism was a nationalistic phenomenon not economic. F.H Hinsley emphasizes Europes need for peace and stability at home as explanation. Age of imperialism was 1878 where the congress of Berlin, Russian and British rivalries in the Balkans and Ottoman empire meant they were close to war. The Bosnian crisis of 1908 removed Europe and played out in Africa and Asia. There was conflicting interests in Africa which would of destroyed European peace so they had carve up Africa Global strategy- Ronald Robinson and John Gallagher stress the stragegic importance of African and Indian for Britain. The cause was proto- nationalist movements in Africa which threatened the global strategic interests of European nations. These meant reluctant Europeans to have informal control and moral suasion in Africa. All of these arguments exclude the economic benefit completely, attractive argument for non africans historians. The argument is to neat and circumstantial to be accepted. The African Dimension theory G. N Uzoigwe argues that the partition was the logical consequence of European nibbling at Africa which started before the nineteenth century, the essential economic impulse necessitated the nibbling changed drastically during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The change was from the transition from slave to legitimate trade and the subsequent decline in the import and export trade at the same time. This economic change in Africa and their resistance to European influence that precipited the military conquest.
Treaty of Tordesillas signed in 1494,
The lands to the east would belong to Portugal and the lands to the west to Castile (Spain) Allowed Portugal to occupy Latin American territories below a dividing line traced by the pope.
anti colonial nationalism
The state normally denies that the people in the state are not "people" at all. Without the British they were not a nation. There was a mix of cultures that would all be in conflict. Different from regular nationalism-Not having the resources at you demand, creation of national holidays etc, to try and make these is far harder. It has not yet created a nation state,It needed to demonstrate that there was a common bond while also creating it. Tended to model self on imperial countries as they were successful. But many also took elements of Marxism and communist ideas. i.e
Weber on the emergence of modernity and capitalism
Traditionalism -seeing the way society is how it meant to be. Modernity, everything is up for grab. -People were becoming rational, calculability, methodical procedure, and reflexively. Modern society was bas Individual artisans- standardized procedures that are being improved. Due to religion from the protestant reformation,- instead of Catholism. -things were no longer they way they were because god made it so, but it depended on the person working hard to get rewards. If financial successful you were blessed by God= individualist and capitalist society.
Slavery and capitalism
Williams 1944-British Industry and the Triangular Trade', Roman society was based on slavery.- in silver and gold mines. Not a modern phenomena. The commodification of slavery is modern- the demand for labour was necessary due to not enough labour provided by native people. -Britain's industrialisation was made possible by slavery- Spear to industry, exports and imports, things were needed for slave trade (ships) created a need which then there was a need for coal etc. -Was not a hangover from the past, it was a purposeful modern capitalist system. -Credit was used in a large amount as their is a large amount of money to build ships. Similarly for plantations, as they pay a lump sum for a slave (machinery) The returns for the slave owner would happen in several years. If they wanted several slaves there needed to be credit for him. -Trading companies were involved in the slavery. It ambles banking in most of Britain and insurance. Insurance would gain money if boats return home if they didn't they would lose money. It become specialised in slavery.
Making of Thai Nationhood (Cartography)
modern, before the late 19th century, overlapping or multiple sovereignties were common in Siam (formally Thailand) Areas which no country claimed sovereignty still existed. Boundaries were not determined or sanctioned by central authority but with responsible local people that could protect, guard, hunt and inhabinatnts in frontier zones. Britain invaded Burman in 1825 and called it British Tenasserim Province. Imposed borders for Burman and Siam. boundaries refers to a line" but the Siamese court thought that boundaries had different characteristics" Without military force, mapping would not of been able to claim legitimate space. Military force was ligrimized and substantiated by the map. (mutually reinforceable over space) Once modernisation got under way, From mid 1880 onwards the need for mapping increased to create states in the Sisamese realm. They realised that mapping was the only language that the westernised would listen to. When Siam was established, it did not have a common culture, language, relgion. The Siamese authorities tried to create a sense of nationhood. (common nature - Khwampenthai or Thainess) This thainess was constructed only over the last century. The government established several ideas of Thainess between 1938-1945, including traditional clothing, chewing betel nut was prohibited, wearing trousers, skirts and kissing some family members before going to work was prescribed. In 1941 all people in the nation were Thai regardless of their regional or ethnic background. unthainess from other nations. Burmese were aggressive, expansionist and bellicose. The Khmer were cowardly but opportunistic. Thailand is the mirror image of these traits being peaceful etc.
Functionalist definition of nationalism?
nationalism answers a need which brings it into being. Ernest Galner- Nations and nationalism- modern industrialised society needed a population that was culturally hermondinous. Industrialisation needed a culture that was hermondious with lingusitics and this creates nationalism. Capitalism and industrialisation explanations don't explain why People have been and still are willing to die for nationalism not the state.
Marx and Kant and nationalism?
nationalism as a stepping stone towards something better. Marx wanted to not aline self with the nation but as world workers. But this hasn't happened. 20th century was the age of nationalism. End of WW1 empires of Russian etc colapses and new nations form. Then former colonies formed nations- era of nationalism.
Nehru and Indian Nationalism
very diverse, large mix of religion (majority Muslim) Over 20 languages Hindi. Indian national congress was founded in 1885, it was English educated, high class members. They imagined India, they saw themselves as speaking for the masses of Indians- They saw themselves as mediators and translators. It was one of the first times as India being thought of as Indian. . It later become a mass organisation partly because it involved mass amount of people, through mass struggle, the uncoporation movement, civil disobedience, and quite india movement. = creating indian identity. Prior it had been more vague, and maybe Britain has less control. By 1930s they wanted all adults voting. Divisions within the nationalist movements- communist party and the right wing. Nehru, wanted the power for the people who live in India, change the condition of their lives, through taking land away and distribution, industrialisation. Nehru, saw himself as educated the people,telling them what India is and why they should want independence. In the abstact of state power it was an oppositional project that had to pegadogical, to demand the British to leave.
