Colonial Reality and Postcolonial Instrumentalization of the Overseas Expansion of the Duchy of Courland

Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical understanding of the history of the Duchy of Courland’s colonial policy in 1645–1731 in the context of the existence of this phenomenon as a “colonial reality” based on Fernand Braudel’s concept of three levels of historical time and Immanuel Wallerstein’s world-systems analysis. With help of the postcolonial approach, the practice of applying a colonial episode of Courland history by some modern nations in the context of “postcolonial instrumentalization” of this issue is also considered. Conclusions are as follows: 1) at the level of “event history”, Courland colonialism, organized in a typical way, as for the 17^th century, in the form of “point” settlements in Gambia and on Tobago (it included also iron mines in Norway leased from Denmark), was part of Jacob Kettler’s (years of reign 1642–1681) project of turning his state into a “second Holland”; 2) within the “time of very long duration”, Courland had convenient geographic but unfavorable geopolitical conditions for the overseas expansion; 3) within the “time of long duration”, Duchy’s colonial policy has faced insurmountable obstacles connected with its ethnosocial structure and its peripheral position within the 17^th-century world-economy; 4) from 1698 to 1731, Duke Jacob’s heirs contested vainly the Island of Tobago as part of the “Courland inheritance”; 5) at the present stage, we can see how some modern nations use this episode to overcome their “postcolonial syndrome” (Latvians, Belarusians) and justify their “imperial” ambitions (Poles). At both levels (“colonial reality” and “postcolonial instrumentalization”), we are faced with attempts to escape from the periphery into the core.

Keywords:

Duchy of Courland, colonial policy, 17th–18th centuries, world-systems analysis, postcolonial instrumentalization