Migration and Diaspora

Forms of mobility, migration networks and global inter-connectedness.

Empires and Migrations

• Major redistributions of population since 1492 directly connected to the construction of empires.
• As 'systems of mobility', empires create channels for movement: the opportunities, institutions, and shipping routes enable long-distance migration.
• Migration profoundly entangled with commerce and power: What brings about the opportunity to migrate? Who gets to migrate? Who controls the process? Who is displaced/marginalized by migration.
• Best example of this for the early modern world: slavery Settler colonies: 'swamping'

Demographic dominance was central in the construction and consolidation of colonial power in settler colonies: USA, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. James Belich has termed this process “swamping”. Sustained migration out of Europe (to North America) in the18th century escalates in the 19^th century, due to pressure of population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and class conflict.

Europeans migrated to the 'New World' in search of land, wealth and social advancement. 22.6 million left British Isles in the period 1815-1914. 75 % of these headed to USA. Migrants very mobile, not just direct migration from source to destination. variety of forms of migration: convict, assisted, free 'settlers' depended on availability of land and placed great pressure on both colonial governments and indigenous communities to 'open up' native lands. These settlers transplanted their own region/national heritage to the new lands, brining new languages/dialects, religious beliefs, social customs and foodways: 'Neo-Europes'. Important to note, however, that these communities were not simply reproductions of 'source' culture. Take on markedly different forms because of gender imbalances and increasing engagement with local landscape and community.

'Swamping'

"When the waves rolled in upon us from England, first one post was covered, then another till at last the water neared us and we tried to erect barriers to protect ourselves. That is we entered into agreements with those who purchased our lands from the Queen, but when the flood tide from England set in our barriers were cast down, and that is why you find us now, clinging to the top of these rocks, called Native Reserves, which alone remain above the water." Wi Naihera Diasporas the 19^th century witnessed the emergence of 2 other important global diasporas: South Asian (Indian) and Chinese. Chinese diaspora: long-established in Southeast Asia, but in c19th new diasporic communities emerge out of trans-national pursuit of gold. Chinese prominent in Australasia and North America. After gold-rushes many return home, but others remain, working on railways, or as market-gardeners or laundry-men. Indian diaspora borne out of 2 forms of labour:

• Military: South Asian troops serve throughout British empire from mid-c19th.
• Indentured labour: basis of South Asian populations in Fiji, Mauritius, and Caribbean.