Absent-minded Imperialism - Britain and the Expansion of Empire in Nineteenth-century Brazil

List of contents

First stages 1829-1837; the first mission at Pirara 1838; retreat to Urwa 1839; retreat to Waraputa 1840-41; the occupation of Pirara 1842; the withdrawal from Pirara 1842; the closing scenes 1842-43; the aftermath; afterthoughts.

About the author

Peter Rivière is a University Lecturer at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology and a Fellow of Linacre College, University of Oxford.

Summary

A survey of the mainsprings of imperial expansion. Riviere describes how Britain, at the height of its power, was dragged reluctantly (with little thought and no clear policy) into a minor border dispute with Brazil, solved only after sending a boundary commission and an expeditionary force. Centred on the remote Indian village of Pirara, on the border between north-eastern Brazil and British Guiana, the story of the Anglo-Brazilian border dispute reveals much about the varied and conflicting motivations of imperial expansion. Key aspects of the dispute were: zealous Protestant and Catholic mission activity; attempts to end slavery; and the overwhelming motivation to establish links and to define and control imperial boundaries. This account is based upon extensive fieldwork and Foreign Office and Colonial Office records, archives in Guyana and Brazil, and also a wide range of diaries, journals and contemporary writings.

Foreword

A survey of the mainsprings of imperial expansion. Riviere describes how Britain, at the height of its power, was dragged reluctantly (with little thought and no clear policy) into a minor border dispute with Brazil, solved only after sending a boundary commission and an expeditionary force.

Product details

• Authors: Peter Riviere, Peter (University of Oxford Riviere, Riviere Peter
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 31.10.2020, delayed
• EAN: 9781350183605
• ISBN: 978-1-350-18360-5
• No. of pages: 206
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, European History, Brazil, HISTORY / Military / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Colonialism & Post-Colonialism, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / Georgian Era (1714-1837), HISTORY / Latin America / South America, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / Victorian Era (1837-1901), c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Colonialism & imperialism, Warfare & defence, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, British & Irish history, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Colonialism and imperialism, Warfare and defence, History of the Americas