Colonists and Contradictions

Ideas from Britain

Many forces contributed to the colonists' view of Natives. For years before their arrival, fur traders traded with Natives on Vancouver Island. Although they had reported what they thought to be both positive and negative aspects of Native life, it was the negative aspects that were remembered in Britain. Many traders' reports were also biased by the fact that they wanted to see themselves as superior to the Natives.⁷

In the 1850s and 60s, British humanitarianism was declining, and conflicts between the British and Natives of South Africa and the Maori gave the British increasingly negative views of Natives in general.⁸ By starting with biased assumptions, scientists also thought they had proved the superiority of the "white race,"⁹ lending support to racist attitudes.

Colonists and Contradictions