The great chain of being : racism and imperialism in colonial Victoria, 1858-1871
Date
1987
Authors
Zaffaroni, Irene Geneviève Marie
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Abstract
During the nineteenth century scientific communities in Great Britain and Europe vigorously began to posit theories about the biological origins of humanity. By the middle of the century, scientific racism was a powerful intellectual force which placed humankind in a graded scale of achievement and potential. Popular interpretations of these theories very often had little basis in fact, yet were asserted as being founded upon scientific truth. This thesis will argue that ideas of scientific racism were brought by colonists from abroad to Victoria and formed the basis of race relations during the colonial era (1858 - 1871).
This study will show that in the social, political and economic spheres of colonial life in Victoria, non-white residents, specifically Indians, Blacks and Chinese, were subjected to intense and persistent racial prejudice that had its roots in the scientific speculation of the day. Furthermore, the institutionalization of racism was so powerful and pervasive as to withstand all attempts by racial minorities to achieve equality. Indians, Blacks and Chinese differed in their challenges to this illiberality, but, ultimately, they all were unsuccessful.
Finally, it will be made evident that there was a direct , if not explicit J ink between scientific racism and imperialism. Racism justified British territorial expansion and the attendant subjugation of "inferior" races. In Victoria, this pattern of colonialism precipitated hostility towards the Indians, Blacks and Chinese. These non-white colonists challenged the hegemony of the Anglo-Saxon race and were thus seen as and impediment to Progress, a euphemism for territorial expansion in general and racism in particular.