Religion Versus Empire?: British Protestant Missionaries and Overseas Expansion, 1700-1914
This is the only book that addresses the relations between religion, Protestant missions, and empire building, linking together all three fields of study by taking as its starting point the early eighteenth century Anglican initiatives in colonial North America and the Caribbean. It considers how the early societies of the 1790s built on this inheritance, and extended their own interests to the Pacific, India, the Far East and Africa. Fluctuations in the vigour and commitment of the missions,...
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Common academic wisdom in the past few decades has said missionaries shattered indigenous cultures, or at the very least prepared the beaches for the landing of imperial forces. However, Porter (imperial history, King's College, London) finds the situation to be much more complex. Both the missionaries and the empire builders were often out of synch with each other and amongst themselves, a situation further complicated by theological conflicts not only in the ranks of the missionaries but also amongst their financial and spiritual supporters. As he traces the changes in intent and practice in the missionary movement, the picture that emerges is not at all monochromatic; goals changed, enthusiasm waxed and waned, and the very ethics of imperialism were challenged to the core when compared to the stated purpose of evangelical Protestantism. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
1Missionary practice and precedents, 1701-89152The reorganisation of missionary enterprise, 1790-1812393Missions, governments and empire : the terms of engagement, 1800-30644Missionary religion and secular influences : Christianity, commerce and civilisation, 1800-35915International connections and domestic networks in the missionary movement, 1815-501166The new wave : missionary expansion and plans for the future, 1834-501367Missionary goals, colonial experience, and the waning of enthusiasm, 1850-701638New directions : the challenge of 'faith missions', China and Islam1919Missionary traditions, c. 1860-95 : adaptations and consequences (1)22510Missionary traditions, c, 1860-95 : adaptations and consequences (2)25511Beyond the centeneries : missions versus empire, 1890-191428212Conclusion : the 'anti' imperialism' of Protestant missions?316
