Even a country without colonies can benefit from colonialism
Nicolas Grünig
In his work "Of the Culture of White Folk" W.E. Burghardt Du Bois harshly criticizes European colonialism. According to Du Bois, the main reason for Europe's economic success is the colonies that European countries exploit in a brutal and racist way. The text is a merciless judgment of a shameful and controversial time in Europe's history. Even nowadays, there needs to be more done for the reappraisal of this period and the impact that it still has today on our society. As an example, we can look at the country Switzerland. Switzerland has never had colonies in his history. One can argue now that Switzerland is not affected and addressed by the text of Du Bois. However, this view would be naïve and short-sighted and does not show the real impact of colonial history. The Black Lives Matter movement started a debate and raised awareness over the history of colonial impact in Switzerland and accomplished a brighter understanding in the society of this chapter in history.
As a small country in the center of Europe with no direct access to the sea, Switzerland is not qualified to be a classical colonialist power. However, Swiss politicians and trade representatives realized early that it could be profitable if they can participate indirectly in the colonial trade without fighting wars and governmental expenses. As a beneficiary of the great colonial powers, it was able to build up its economic position in the world. Private Trading Companies invested big sums of money in the triangular trade between the US, Africa, and Europe and made profits with fabrics, slaves, and plantation products. Some of the countries that were founded during that time still exist today in a different form. However, not only private companies invested much money in the transatlantic trade. The city of Bern, today's Swiss capital city, was the main investor of the British "South Sea Company," which provided the British colonies in South America with slaves. Through colonial trade, sought-after fabrics were imported from countries like India to Europe, and with them came the technical know-how of processing and dyeing those fabrics to Europe. The significant industrial upswing started with the imitation of these fabrics. Because the neighboring countries of Switzerland introduced custom barriers to protect their industry, the Swiss textile industry focused on markets far away. They copied the foreign pattern, manufactured them industrially, and sold them cheaper than the local handmade ones. For this business model to work, it is essential to have reliable global networks. However, the communication and traveling were not uncomplicated during a time when a journey to Southeast Asia took three to four months. The merchants only took the risk and uncertainty that comes with such a great expense because they could count on the legal and military support of the great imperial powers.
The colonial history of Switzerland shows that not only countries with formal colonies could benefit from colonialism. Even without claiming political dominance, it is still possible to benefit from it. It also shows that at first sight supposedly innocent countries have an inglorious past. This business model of the Swiss textile industry is a fine example of how W.E. Burghardt Du Bois analyzes and condemns the base of the success of European countries: "Why then is Europe great? Because of the foundations which the mighty past has furnished her to build upon: The iron and trade of black Africa; the religion and empire building of yellow Asia; the art and science of the "dago" Mediterranean shore east, south and west as well as north."(W.E. Burghardt Du Bois, Of the Culture of White Folk, 1917).
This was an interesting read. I did not know most of what was written in this article. Like the United States, it appears Switzerland is coming to grips with its past. I was curious if like in some communities in the United States there is a push towards more than just understanding Switzerland's history, and if anything was being done in an attempt to right their wrongs, and if so what is being done?
ReplyDeleteThere was a similar discussion in Switzerland, like in the US, after the death of George Floyd. For example, there was a discussion about removing a statue of a historically famous man, founder of a University and railway pioneer, because the family's wealth was partially based on the slave trade. However, concrete actions to make amends are missing and, in my opinion, also very difficult to execute. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that we can do things in our daily lives to improve the situation in many developing countries, such as buying fair trade certified food or paying attention to what conditions some products were made.
DeleteThere was a similar discussion in Switzerland, like in the US, after the death of George Floyd. For example, there was a discussion about removing a statue of a historically famous man, founder of a University and railway pioneer, because the family's wealth was partially based on the slave trade. However, concrete actions to make amends are missing and, in my opinion, also very difficult to execute. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that we can do things in our daily lives to improve the situation in many developing countries, such as buying fair trade certified food or paying attention to what conditions some products were made.
ReplyDeleteThis was really interesting to read I like how you took a topic that we discussed in class and the presented an example that we hadn't talked about. I agree with a lot of the points your bring up about colonialism and the many ways countries suffer as well as benefit.
ReplyDelete