RVIP History Assignment 7

Q2: Compare and contrast British and French perspectives on the issue of religion in the states they were interested in colonizing. In the 19th Century, at the height of the industrial revolution and European competition, many countries like Britain and France sought to acquire their own colonies on the world map to extend their influence, secure resources and trade routes, and spread their religion as well as culture. One major reason for their colonisation was to spread their religion, Christianity. However, while the French religious missionaries were fervent, active and played a major role in the French colonization of Vietnam, the British religious missionaries gave way for British emphasis on trade in their colonization of Malaya, eventually dwindling in power and number. Sources B, C, F and H show a similarity between the British and French in that both had the desire to change the way of life in Malaya and Vietnam respectively, and both tried to promote their religion and introduce social reforms to the locals. Source B shows the view of a French Bishop in Vietnam on colonisation. He expresses fear that what happened to the Church of Japan could also happen to the Church of Vietnam. The missionary efforts in Japan were cruelly opposed and suppressed because of the Japaneses intense hatred against foreigners and followers of Christ. The French bishop is threatened by the powerful and tough kings of Vietnam, and is worrying that the missionary movement might be eliminated from Vietnam, just like in Japan. One can tell that the French did indeed have a desire to promote their religion in Vietnam, similar to the large scale in which Christianity was promoted in Japan. Thus I can conclude that the French missionaries had a strong desire to promote Christianity on a large scale during their colonisation of Vietnam. Source C further confirms my point about Vietnam. The source says that for a long time, many western ships have come to trade with us and to introduce Catholic missionaries into our country. From this I can tell that the French missionary religious movement was already very strong and happening for a long time, even being placed on an equal emphasis as trade. I can conclude that the French missionaries wanted to promote Christianity in Vietnam fervently. Source F shows the British desire to promote social change. The source tells me they had enthusiastically pushed through social reform, like the ban on suttee by Lord William Bentinck. I can infer that the British had an intention and desire to change the way of life with the aim of improving the standard of living for the locals. The British felt that customs like suttee were backward, inhumane and immoral, most importantly against what their religion taught, and thus tried to ban them and implement their own social and religious ideals. From this source, I can conclude that the British did too have a desire to promote social and religious change. Source H shows that the British did not respect Malay traditions and religion. According to the source, James Birch openly defied Malay customs when one of his slaves died, burying him without following Malay rites. This angered a lot of local people and showed Birchs contempt and disrespect for Malay customs and religious beliefs. This belief of the British supports the point made in Source F in that the British wanted to promote social and religious change because they had little regard for Malay customs and religion.

RVIP History Assignment 7

However, the similarities between the British and French perspectives on the issue of religion in the states they colonized end here. While both colonial masters had the desire and intention to promote social and religious change, their respective emphases eventually shifted. When faced with opposition by the locals, it was the French who ultimately valued religion equal to or even more than trade and continued supporting missionaries, while the British sacrificed the missionary movement for an emphasis on trade. Sources B, D, F and G point out the differences between the British and French missionary movements when faced with opposition or a choice. Source B describes the reaction by the French missionaries in Vietnam when faced with opposition. Although faced with the threat of the powerful and war-hardened Vietnamese kings, he still felt that It is necessary that the Holy See, by its own movement, give pastors to these Oriental regions where Christians multiply in a marvellous way. He was calling for even more missionary work in Vietnam despite the threat of them being eliminated by the Vietnamese kings. This shows that instead of being scared away, the French missionaries reacted fervently and impassionately, as they were undaunted by the dangers but still persisted with increasing missionary work. Source D supports this point. The hostility of the Vietnamese to Christianity did not dampen missionary fervour, but instead raised the sacred possibility of dying for the faith and even encouraged many more to continue missionary work in Vietnam. Source F shows how the British backed down on their plans for social and religious intervention after resistance. The British felt disenchanted with the Indian reaction to social change, which was a rebellion. After the locals rebellion, the British changed their stance on changing social and religion. They felt that traditions and customs in India were too strong and rigid to be changed easily, and no more British social interventions were made, especially in matters dealing with religion. From this source, I can tell that the British did not feel that promoting their religion and way of life was a good enough reason for chaos and rebellion by the people. I can thus conclude that when faced with a choice, British did not value social and religious reforms as much as other aspects, like ensuring stability for smooth trade. Source G shows how the British valued trade in Malaya more than religion. They signed the Treaty of Pangkor in 1874 to secure trade with Malaya, but ended up sacrificing Christianity, as the treaty required non-interference in local religion. When the British signed the treaty, they were fully aware that they were sacrificing their missionary movement, as they would no longer be able to interfere in local religion, as described by one of the terms in the treaty. The British had made the decision to make trade their priority at the expense of religion. Thus I can conclude that the British valued trade more than religion. In conclusion, the British and French were similarly interested in implementing religious and social reforms to civilize and help the local people find salvation. However, while the French persisted with even stronger missionary work in the face of Vietnamese opposition, the British backed down and valued trade over religion.
References: An Historical Sketch of the Japan Mission of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. Retrieved from http://anglicanhistory.org/asia/japan1891.html