Overview:
This volume of the Novara expedition chronicles the travels of the Austrian frigate Novara, focusing on their exploration of the South Pacific and South America from 1857 to 1859. The text delves into the natural history and cultural landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Chile, and Peru.
The author highlights the remarkable growth of Australia, particularly the flourishing city of Sydney and the impact of gold discoveries. He explores the complexities of the convict system and its role in shaping the colony’s development. The journey continues to New Zealand, where the author describes the Maori people, their customs, and their unique culture. He discusses the potential for European emigration and the looming threat of war between the Maori and British settlers. The Novara then sails to Tahiti, examining the island’s history, its colonization by France, and the contrasting influences of French and British colonialism. The voyage continues through Chile, highlighting the country’s economic growth and its potential for German emigration. Finally, the expedition explores Peru, uncovering its rich cultural and natural heritage, including the ancient ruins of Cajamarquilla and Pachacamác.
Key Findings:
- The British Empire: The text highlights the vastness and power of the British Empire, emphasizing the importance of colonies to the mother country’s economic and political influence.
- Australia’s Development: The author illustrates the dramatic transformation of Australia from a penal colony to a wealthy and prosperous nation, fueled by gold discoveries and the emergence of agriculture.
- The Maori: The text offers a detailed look into Maori culture, customs, and their susceptibility to European civilization.
- Colonialism’s Impact: The narrative exposes the destructive consequences of French colonialism in Tahiti, contrasting them with the more liberal policies of the British in Australia and New Zealand.
- Peru’s Rich Heritage: The author unveils Peru’s ancient cultural heritage, exploring the ruins of Inca and pre-Inca civilizations, and highlighting the country’s natural beauty and economic potential.
Learning:
- British Colonialism: Readers will gain insight into the strategies and consequences of British colonialism, particularly the impact of convict transportation and the conflicting interests of colonizers and indigenous populations.
- Maori Culture: The text provides a rich understanding of Maori culture, their beliefs, traditions, and unique language.
- The French Protectorate: Readers will learn about the French Protectorate of Tahiti, its historical origins, its influence on Tahitian society, and the consequences of French colonialism.
- Guano: The narrative reveals the importance of guano as a valuable commodity, its impact on Peruvian economy, and the challenges of sustainable guano harvesting.
- The Coca Leaf: Readers will gain knowledge about the coca plant, its stimulating properties, its significance for Andean cultures, and the scientific research surrounding its potential for medicinal use.
Historical Context:
The text provides context for the events it describes, including the influence of the Crimean War, the Gold Rush in California and Australia, and the growing tensions between European powers, particularly between France and Austria. The author provides a unique perspective on these events as seen from the South Pacific and South America.
Facts:
- Australia’s Wool Growth: Australia’s wool production grew from 50 tons in 1820 to nearly 25,000 tons by the 1850s, making it a significant competitor to European wool producers.
- Australia’s Convict System: The transportation of convicts to Australia played a critical role in its early development, but also caused considerable suffering and social unrest. The system was abolished in 1840.
- Maori Tattoos: Maori tattoos (Moko) were a complex system of markings, signifying status, identity, and tribal affiliation. The practice declined significantly with the spread of Christianity.
- Tahitian Religion: Tahitians converted to Protestantism in the early 19th century, but the French Protectorate led to a resurgence of Catholic influence.
- French Colonialism: French colonialism in Tahiti was marked by a series of high-handed acts, leading to the subjugation of the Tahitian people and the imposition of a French protectorate.
- Chile’s Economic Growth: Chile experienced significant economic growth in the mid-19th century, fueled by gold discoveries in California and Australia. The country became a major exporter of grain and other agricultural products.
- Peruvian Guano: Peruvian guano deposits became a major source of wealth for the country, but this resource is finite and faces the threat of exhaustion.
- The Coca Leaf: The coca leaf is a stimulant used by Andean cultures for centuries, and is a vital part of their daily life and economy.
- The Tai-Ping Rebellion: The Tai-ping rebellion in China was a major upheaval, lasting over a decade, that resulted in the deaths of millions.
- The Mutiny of the Bounty: The mutiny on the Bounty was a famous event that led to the founding of the Pitcairn Islands settlement by the mutineers and their descendants.
- Humboldt’s Contributions: Alexander von Humboldt was a renowned naturalist whose work significantly advanced the understanding of the physical and geognostic characteristics of the world.
- The Panama Railroad: The Panama Railroad, completed in 1855, revolutionized trade between the Atlantic and Pacific, significantly reducing travel times.
- The Chinese Coolie Trade: The Chinese coolie trade, involving the forced labor of Chinese workers, was a widespread practice in the 19th century, and was often marked by inhumane conditions.
Statistics:
- Australia’s Population: Australia’s population increased from 189,600 in 1848 to 266,189 in 1857, demonstrating the impact of gold discoveries and other factors on population growth.
- Australia’s Wool Production: Australia’s wool production reached 17,000,000 lbs. in New South Wales alone by 1858.
- Australia’s Convicts: In 1840, when New South Wales ceased to be a convict settlement, there were 26,967 convicts out of a total population of 130,856.
- New Zealand’s Population: New Zealand’s population grew from 52,155 in 1857 to 73,343 in 1859.
- New Zealand’s Kauri Pine: An estimated 2521 tons of Kauri rosin were exported in 1857, demonstrating the economic importance of this tree.
- Tahiti’s Population: Tahiti’s population declined from an estimated 15,000 in 1839 to 5000 in 1859, a significant decrease attributed to disease and social changes.
- Tahiti’s Commerce: Tahiti’s annual trade, both import and export, was estimated at £64,000 by 1859.
- Chile’s Population: Chile’s population was slightly over one million by the mid-19th century.
- Chile’s Exports: Chile exported an estimated 2,500,000 fanegas of wheat in a good year, representing a significant agricultural output.
- Chilean Copper and Silver Mines: The annual yield of the copper and silver mines in the Copiapó district was worth 14,000,000 dollars by the 1850s.
- Peru’s Saltpetre: Peru exported 1,000,000 hundredweight of saltpetre annually, a significant industry in the country.
- Peruvian Coca: An estimated 78,000 tons of coca leaves were produced annually in Bolivia, highlighting the economic importance of this plant.
- Panama Railroad Traffic: The Panama Railroad handled an estimated 36,000 to 40,000 passengers annually, transporting a significant volume of goods and people.
- Panama’s Pearl Fishery: Panama’s pearl fishery produced approximately 800 to 900 tons of mother-of-pearl annually.
Terms:
- Aduana: Custom-house
- Alameda: A public promenade
- Arewarewa: A skin disease common in Tahiti
- Balsas: Rafts used along the coast of Peru
- Birloche: A two-wheeled carriage used in Chile
- Brickfielder: A strong, dust-laden wind that blows from the south in Sydney
- Canaka: A native of the Pacific Islands
- Carabus: A prison
- Carretas: Two-wheeled ox-carriages used in Chile
- Cascarilleros: Collectors of Cinchona bark in South America
- Chicha: A fermented drink made from grapes in Chile
- Chincha: A group of islands off the coast of Peru
- “Coup d’état”: A sudden seizure of power by a leader
- “Fête Champêtre”: An outdoor festival or party
- “Garua”: A fine mist or drizzle common in Peru, especially in winter
- “Hacienda”: A large landed estate or plantation
- “Hangi”: A traditional Maori cooking oven
- “Huanu”: Guano deposits
- “Mangueros” or “Abarrotadores”: Workers who collect and process guano
- “Meri-Meri”: A traditional Maori club
- “Páh”: A Maori fortified village
- “Paréu”: A Tahitian garment consisting of a cloth wrapped around the loins
- “Pua”: A geyser
- “Quinta normal”: A model farm
- “Rancho”: A simple hut or dwelling
- “Saya” and “Manto”: Traditional garments worn by Lima women, often serving as a veil
- “Temaskal”: An Indian vapor bath
- “Te-Ratu Hokiteta”: A Maori name for Dr. Hochstetter
- “Tohunga”: A Maori priest
- “Umeli”: A large wooden vessel used for preparing the Kawa beverage
- “Ventana de Teatinas”: A trap door leading to the roof of a house
- “Whari”: A Maori hut
Examples:
- Rickety Dick: The sole surviving member of his tribe, Rickety Dick, a crippled aboriginal Australian, symbolizes the displacement and decimation of the indigenous population.
- The Maori King: The Maori king movement, led by Potatáu, represents the growing tensions between the Maori and British settlers, which culminated in the New Zealand Wars.
- The Mutiny of the Bounty: The mutiny on the Bounty, and the establishment of the Pitcairn Island settlement by the mutineers, highlights the complex and unpredictable nature of human behavior.
- The Panama Railroad: The Panama Railroad, a monumental feat of engineering, transformed transportation across the Isthmus, but also exposed workers to harsh conditions.
- The Chinese Coolie Trade: The Chinese coolie trade in Peru, as described in the text, highlights the harsh realities of forced labor and the exploitative nature of the system.
Conclusion:
This volume of the Novara expedition provides a valuable glimpse into the world of the mid-19th century, highlighting the dramatic social, cultural, and political changes occurring in the South Pacific and South America. The author offers insightful observations on the impacts of colonialism, gold discoveries, and the rise of new trade routes. He also reveals the struggles and resilience of indigenous populations confronting the challenges of modernization and cultural change.
The text stands out for its detailed descriptions of the natural history of the regions explored, the social customs of indigenous peoples, and the complex interactions between Europeans and native populations.