Slavery, Abolition, Humanitarianism and the Civilising Mission Flashcards
The responsibilities that came with Empire?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Some thought Empire should only be concerned with Britain’s “insular” interests
- Some thought advancing the interests of others might sometime benefit Britain
- Some thought that Britain had an obligation to look after those under its rule
Edmund Burke, Dec 1783, on responsibility
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- “All political power which is set over men…ought to be some way or other exercised for their benefit”
How could the notion of ‘protection’ benefit government?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
“It could calm conscience and avoid accusations of cynicism or indifference.”
What were the agendas of humanitarians?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Not only to protect, but to transform “however oblivious” colonial subjects might be of the need for such a change
What was the agenda for reform in India?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- “decadance and depravity”
- Hindu practice was antithetical to Xnity…polytheistic, dualist, belief in rebirth, sati
- Attracted attention of CMS/Clapham sect
Was slavery challenged by the 1780s
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
INTELLECTUALLY?
- Morally indefensible
- Economic efficiency also questioned
- Incompatible with Xnity as removed free will to choose to act morally and ethically
PRACTICALLY?
- Flourishing trade dependent on Atlantic slave trade and the Plantations in the West Indies
Who supported the anti-slavery movement early on?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Quakers and Methodists
- Abolition Society formed by W. Wilberforce in April 1787
Important Early Legislation for Abolition
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- 1788 bill for restricted shipping proposed by Sir William Dolben
- 1792 resolution for step-by-step abolition
A brief timeline of abolitionist’s efforts
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Abolition Society formed by W. Wilberforce in April 1787
- 1788 bill for restricted shipping proposed by Sir William Dolben
- 1792 resolution for step-by-step abolition
- 1803-1815 Napoleonic wars delay progress
- Excessive sugar, turn in fortunes of war, end of Addington’s administration as First Lord of the Treasury –> Progress
- 1811, Penalties for traders
- Uprisings like 1823 Demerera increased urgency of abolitionists
- 1824, Capital penalty for traders
- Jamaican Rebellion 1831
- Lord Howick proposes abolition in 1832
–> Act introduced August 1833
–> Effective August 1834
Slaves to undergo ‘Apprentiships’ to masters, but all would be totally free by 1840
Compensation of slave owners
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- British taxpayers pay into £20m fund to compensate slave owners
What does abolition say about the British government and its imperial relationship with empire?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- The abolitionists offensive against slavery by seeking Parliamentary reform a) gave them “direction and purpose”, and b) showed that the government was capable of acting
Relationship between the Imperial government and Humanitarians
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Interaction made easier by the creation of a colonial office in 1801
- Governments cautious not to employ interventionist policy
- 1830s, Jamaica took advantake of this, and the suspension of its constitution was considered
- Governments often simply mediators
Did the emancipation of slaves threaten the humanitarian mission?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- In some ways, yes.
- Deprived mission of “raison d’etre”
- Needed new projects in early-mid 19th Century
- -> New focus on NZ/AUS/ S. Africa
New humanitarian missions post-abolition
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Frayed colonist-indigenous relationships in the mid 19th Century
- On the edges of empire, British rule either could not or would not (laissez faire) intervene
- Misunderstanding/xenophobia/”liquor and arms trades flourished”
- -> House of Commons Committee 1836-7
House of Commons Select Committee 1836-7
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
FINDINGS
- European intervention “a calamity upon native and savage nations”
- Concluded that non-intervention was not economically beneficial
- names “the untutored and defenceless savage”
“Paternalistic…tone”
RECCOMENDED MEASURES
- Withdraw Aborigines from control of colony
- Regulation of labour
- “Opportunities for ‘religious instruction and education’”
- ‘Just returns’ on land
- Centrality of missions and missionaries is established
- Naval squadron on West African Coast to intercept suspected illegal slavers
What were the results of the House of Commons Select Committee 1836-7?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Aboriginal Society founded by Thomas Hodgkin 1837
- Annexation of New Zealand 1840
- Evangelical work not only to combat sin but to atone for it
- New belief that free trade would get rid of slave trade
- New societies (separate)
- The Niger expedition (separate card)
New Humanitarian Societies
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Aboriginal Society founded by Thomas Hodgkin 1837
- British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society 1839
- African Civilisation Society 1839 (dissolved 1843)
The Niger expedition
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Leaves May 1841
- Retreat by October
- 40/145 dead from fever
- Niger Settlement abandoned 1843 and African Civilisation Society dissolved
- -> Not entirely disastrous. Aboriginal Protection Society + - British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society 1839. They recognised, as did Palmerston, that humanitarianism had to be compatible with British interests that were feasibly long term
Humanitarian efforts of the mid 19th Century
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- More pessimistic by 1870s
- Difficult to end slave trade with legitimate trade, even with UK Gvt. intervention
- The terms of free labour were “unattractive” to free slaves
- So far, colonial produce had benefited from “preferential treatment”. 1854 Canadian-American Reciprocity Act was an anti-protectionist move to Free Trade
- Reassessment of what was the best for indigenous peoples. Triggered by lack of converts, difficulties of acculturation and violent resistance ie Indian mutiny
- Became a “creature of habit”
Humanitarian efforts of the late 19th Century
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
MISSIONS
- Universities Mission to Cenral Africa at Zanzibar
- Church Missionary Society at Mombasa
- Scottish churches at Nyasa in 1870s
- New individuals: Rev’d Horrace Waller joins B.a.F.A.S.S. in 1870. Also, F.W. Chesson taking lead in Aboriginal Protection Society
LOBBYING
- B. a. F. A. S. S. pressure on Parliament in 1871
- -> New anti-slavery measures 1872-3 against Zanzibar
- Closer relationship of government and lobby. E.g. members of both went to the Berlin West Africa Conference (1884-5)
- “British foreign policy came to adopt the goals of the Aborigines’ Protection Society”: “New forms of slavery” and property ownership as a means of indigenous freedom
NEW POLICIES
- A. P. S. campaigns for Pacific Islanders’ Protection Act after murder of Bishop Patteson at Nukapu. Campaigning against involuntary service and slavery on Gold Coast –> Colonial office agree to address issues in 1874
- 1875, trade regulation in India to protect peasant land ownership
Why did humanitarians abandon their efforts at transformation of indigenous societies in the late 19th Century?
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- Not any less desirable, but seen as less feasible
- Slavery continued to be an issue, integrating the two socieities seemed impossible
- Work was interventionist, not preventative
20th century humanitarian work
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
- British and Foreign/Aborigines’ societies merge in 1910
- European initiative> “free trade and non-European initiative”
- Congo reform initiative after growing awareness of corruption under King Leopold in the Belgian Congo in the late 19th century.
–> Edmund Morel publishes “Red Rubber” in 1904
—-> Leopold relinquishes control in 1908
“…in reasserting acceptable standards of colonial practice, it offered pointers to the future.”
Quote on the white man’s burden
The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.
“In constantly calling the imperial government to its duty, they unwittingly fostered a negative conception of trusteeship, confirming the reality of the ‘white man’s burden’…”
CAPITALISM & SLAVERY AND CARIBBEAN HISTORIOGRAPHY: AN EVALUATION
by Selwyn H. H. Carrington*
(key critiques of Eric Williams’ thesis)
OVERVIEW OF THESIS
- Eurocentric view of West Indies/Caribbean being developed by Europe ignored the importance of those regions, and slavery, in growing the European economy
- “Williams redefined the traditional orthodoxy, and argued that thewealth of Europe was derived from the exploitation of African labor through the slave trade and Caribbean slavery”
- Abolition not due to humanitarian efforts, but to the decline of the sugar economy!
RECEPTION
For:
- David Brion Davis… In a recent essay titled “Reflections on Abolitionism and Ideological Hegemony,” Davis emphasized that the “opposition to slavery cannot be
divorced from the vast economic changes”
Against:
- Seymour Drescher’s Econocide: British Slavery in the Era of Abolition. Britain stood to make a loss at time of abolition
