Imperialism

Zambi of Palmares is Beheaded

On 20 November 1695, Zambi of Palmares – ruler of an ‘invincible’ community of former slaves in the Brazilian jungle – was killed by the Portuguese.

On the Spot: Erik Linstrum

‘In the US, people often think of British history as quaint or niche, instead of a central force in the making of global modernity.’

When Inca Mummies Came to Europe

Older than their Egyptian counterparts, the preserved remains of Andean peoples fascinated 19th-century Europe, leading to a ‘bone stampede’ for Inca mummies. But to what end?

On the Spot: Peter Carey

What historical topic have I changed my mind on? Colonialism. I now know that it had no redeeming features.

Fighting for the Enemy

European powers sought to colonise the world. They could not do so without the support of indigenous peoples.

All the World's a Prison

When the European powers began exporting convicts to other continents, they did so to create a deterrent and to establish new settlements across the world. Clare Anderson traces the history of punitive passages.