The Colonial Dream : : Imperial Knowledge and the French-Malagasy Encounters in the Age of Enlightenment / / Damien Tricoire.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter DG Plus DeG Package 2023 Part 1
• VerfasserIn: Tricoire, Damien,
• MitwirkendeR: O'Neill, Christine,
• Place / Publishing House: München ;, Wien : : De Gruyter Oldenbourg, , [2023]; ©2023
• Year of Publication: 2023
• Language: English
• Series: Transregional Practices of Power , 5
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (XI, 388 p.)

European expansion began in the early modern period, but in the 18th century Europeans were still far from establishing their rule in Africa or Asia. Many attempts at expansion failed miserably. Nevertheless, the belief in European supremacy and civilizing charisma was consolidated. This study examines the reasons for these unrealistic plans and shows how a gap developed between imperial aspirations and the reality of intercultural encounters. Using the history of French attempts at expansion in Madagascar as an example, it analyses the unfolding of colonial fantasy, the production of bureaucratic knowledge and the role of the Enlightenment in the development of colonialism.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- Introduction -- Encountering and Narrating -- 1 Islamic and European Globalisations -- 2 The French in Madagascar, the French from Madagascar -- 3 Imperial Failure and Colonial Fantasies -- 4 Maudave, or The Optimist -- 5 Unsuccessful Conquistadors -- 6 Beňovský or The Enlightenment Robinsonade -- 7 Persistence and the End of the Dream of Madagascar -- Creating Knowledge -- 8 The Spirit of Gentleness -- 9 Taboos of Enlightenment Colonialism -- 10 Colonialism and philosophie -- 11 Adventurers and Bureaucrats -- 12 The Birth of Modern Colonialism? -- Conclusion -- Appendix -- Abbreviations -- Illustrations -- Bibliography -- Index