Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with colonialism

What's the real story behind this "dragnet" of Tasmania?

Dee Xtrovert — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:51 -0800

Was there some sort of giant 19th century human dragnet across Tasmania? What was the deal with it, exactly? This quote is from a comment posted on the website of the Guardian, in relation to a report that finds sex trafficking to be "exaggerated."

Reminds me of what happened in Tasmania in the 19th century.

Apparently Aboriginal people were causing havoc amongst the invaders - no space to go into the rights and wrongs here. The government in Hobart, thought it so serious, a Highland-style clearance was in order.

They formed a human line, from one side of Tasmania to the other. They dragged the island, from one end to the other. No mean feat, as Tassie is half the size of Wales.

Three arrests were made. A couple of kids, and a very old lady or man.

& after that things continued much as before.

Does anyone know the story behind this supposed incident?

I'm not asking you to do my research for me buuuuut....

The Whelk — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:51:40 -0800

Emergency Research Materials Needed: Due to not being an adult about things I now have to write a quick story set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. And I have to finish it by Sunday. Yes, I've already read Wikipedia. I've got some knowledge of Indian/British politics and daily life of the time period, but I'd like more. Cause of the time limit, I'm leaning more towards shorter or more digestible accounts of the period. What are some good websites focused on the 1850s in India? What articles should I read? Where do I even find them?

Anything about daily life or habits would be greatly appreciated

Follow the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

MasonDixon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:44:45 -0800

In short, What are the best books (especially books), movies or other media about Vietnam that you know of? (Including the French War.) Fiction or non-fiction.

I've read Caputo's Rumor of War, Karnow's Vietnam, A History and Sheehan's A Bright and Shining Lie.

Why did Malcolm X frequently use Portugal as a specific example of a Racist Society?

jjjjjjjijjjjjjj — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:20:18 -0800

Why did Malcolm X single out Portugal as an example of a particularly racist society in several speeches?

...I'm speaking as a Black man from America, which is a racist society. No matter how much you hear it talk about democracy, it's as racist as South Africa or as racist as Portugal, or as racist as any other racialist society on this earth. - Malcolm X, May 13, 1964

I've been listening to several (6+ hours) of Malcolm X speeches^** for a project. In 3 or 4 different speeches he calls Portugal out, and goes so far as to pair it with South Africa in a manner similar to the quote above.

Now... I know about Portugal's inordinately large role in the African slave trade, but his language would make it seem that he's referencing contemporary [1960s] Portugal. I know about Portugese colonialism in Africa, but A.) racist policies abroad could be attacked individually, and not as being a part of a "racist society" -- which, while true, would be a confusing way to structure the argument, and B.) I've not ever heard of Portuguese colonialism [again, contemporary/1960s] as being notably more extreme than other European country's meddlings in Africa...

So, what gives? Why is Malcolm X singling Portugal out as being more racist than any other European culture of the time? Elevating it to/pairing it with South Africa seems pretty bold and therefore "intentional." I'd like to know more about what that intention was.

For background, I'm from the U.S., born in the 1970s, and I apologize in advance if I'm overlooking something that is (or should be) obvious. Thanks for your help, and please feel free to correct me if you feel that any of the assumptions I have made thus far are off-base.

^** [Here's a handful of Malcolm X speeches courtesy of archive.org if you're interested... Def. worth a look if you like that sort of thing -- they've got other fantastic "great speeches" resources, as well].

Help Me Research My Curriculum

partner — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:28:05 -0800

Does anyone know of concise histories of imperialism and/or colonialism? These will be used for developing a 12th grade history/literature curriculum, so extra credit is available for those who can make a literature connection. Plus, books focusing on India and Africa will be appreciated.

A book about Indochina, to make my mother happy.

bookish — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:36:58 -0800

My mom wants a book on French Indochina, and I'd like to find a good one for her. Preferably non-fiction, but good fiction with some insight into history and culture would work, too. The exact historical time range is flexible, but she's mostly interested in the area pre-Vietnam War.

French colonial rule in Algeria

anonymous78 — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:17:32 -0800

Can anyone direct me to information on/analyses of language politics in Algeria under the French? I'm looking for scholarly materials for a short presentation (on the topic of Arabic versus French), so articles are preferred, but I'll take anything (other than Wikipedia links) at this point.

books on british colonialism

dstrouse91 — Tue, 15 Mar 2005 11:27:23 -0800

i am interested in recommendations for novels about british colonial period (india, africa, etc). what are your favorites?