European Colonialism and its Impact
This week considers European colonialism and its impact over the course of the ‘long 19thcentury’ (1798-1914). We also address the beginnings of the era of reform and political developments in Iran, Turkey, and Egypt.
Seminar Questions:
Discuss how the shrinking of the Ottoman empire has been explained. What are the different views for making sense of the long 19th century? A clash of civilizations or imperialist expansion?
What do al-Jabarti's observations of the French occupation in Egypt tell us about European colonialism and its impact?
According to Edward Said, what role did French scholars of 'the Orient' play in Napoleon's occupation of Egypt?
Compare and contrast transformations in the era of reform in Cairo, Istanbul, and Tehran.
Select a quote from Cromer’s, Modern Egypt, and discuss its relevance for understanding the impact of European colonising as a discursive and material practice. What evidence does Cromer reference to make his case?
Reading:
*William Cleveland, A History of the Modern Middle East, (Westview Press, 2017), pp. 96-110 (chp. 6).
The Earl of Cromer, Modern Egypt, vol. II, (MacMillan, 1907), pp. 123-167.
*Please ignore the marks/comments on some of the scanned copies, which are from used editions that are not mine.
Recommended Reading:
Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha's Men (CUP, 1997).
Timothy Mitchell, Rule of Experts (Berkeley; University of California Press, 2002).
Timothy Mitchell, Colonising Egypt (Berkeley; University of California Press, 1988).
Samera Esmeir, Juridical Humanity: A Colonial History (Stanford University Press, 2012).
On Barak, On Time: Technology and Temporality in modern Egypt (2013).
Mostafa Minawi, The Ottoman Scramble for Africa: Empire and Diplomacy in the Sahara and the Hijaz (Stanford University Press, 2016).
Nikkie Keddie, Modern Iran: Roots and Results of Revolution (2003).
Malcolm Yapp, 'The Legend of the Great Game,' Proceedings of the British Academy vol. 111 (2001): 179-198.