Colonialism in America
Colonialism as ‘the colonisation of consciousness’: using at least two case-studies from different periods, discuss how an interest in religion may contribute to understandings of colonial and imperial encounters.
David Bliss
1 May, 2013
University of Leicester
Word count: 2,984
Introduction
An interest in religion may contribute to understanding of colonial and imperial encounters by providing a window into the daily lives at colonies that can augment other sources or stand on its own. Both historical and archaeological evidence is available from periods of colonialism and this evidence can help us understand how effective these efforts were at impacting the lives of both the colonizers and colonized, and the relations between colonial and imperial forces. Colonial history is by no means homogenous and each case needs to be looked at in its own light – taking into account the motives of all players, the geography, and pre-existing systems. Indeed, even at a certain location, the results varied.
This paper examines how religion interplayed with colonialism and what was the impact on certain cases to colonizers and the colonized in terms of the ‘colonization of consciousness’. It will attempt to define this term, and then provide examples with varying degrees of relevance on understanding the colonial/imperial interplay.
Defining the question
What is studied? Religion is one area of study in understanding colonial and imperial encounters. It has been identified as one of the three “M”s of imperial encounters: merchants, missionaries, and military (Schoppa 2002:45). It provides a more-rounded understanding of colonial and imperial encounters than as disparate observations. Through religious buildings and iconography, burials, and the physical trappings of religious orders and their representatives that are important material expressions of religion, we have physical remains that, along with historical documents, give us insight into the
David Bliss
1 May, 2013
University of Leicester
Word count: 2,984
Introduction
An interest in religion may contribute to understanding of colonial and imperial encounters by providing a window into the daily lives at colonies that can augment other sources or stand on its own. Both historical and archaeological evidence is available from periods of colonialism and this evidence can help us understand how effective these efforts were at impacting the lives of both the colonizers and colonized, and the relations between colonial and imperial forces. Colonial history is by no means homogenous and each case needs to be looked at in its own light – taking into account the motives of all players, the geography, and pre-existing systems. Indeed, even at a certain location, the results varied.
This paper examines how religion interplayed with colonialism and what was the impact on certain cases to colonizers and the colonized in terms of the ‘colonization of consciousness’. It will attempt to define this term, and then provide examples with varying degrees of relevance on understanding the colonial/imperial interplay.
Defining the question
What is studied? Religion is one area of study in understanding colonial and imperial encounters. It has been identified as one of the three “M”s of imperial encounters: merchants, missionaries, and military (Schoppa 2002:45). It provides a more-rounded understanding of colonial and imperial encounters than as disparate observations. Through religious buildings and iconography, burials, and the physical trappings of religious orders and their representatives that are important material expressions of religion, we have physical remains that, along with historical documents, give us insight into the
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