Barbary and civilisation in the nationalist discourse of the African War (1859-1860)

Authors

  • María Luisa Sánchez-Mejía

Keywords:

Spanish-Moroccan War, colonialism, liberalism, civilization, barbarism

Abstract

Civilization vs. barbarism are two recurring pivotal concepts in Spanish political discourse at the time of the Moroccan War of 1859-60. By analyzing them one gains a better understanding of how Spaniards looked upon the people of the Maghreb, but especially of how they looked upon their nation and her aspirations to become yet another European colonial power in Africa. The debates on Arab culture and on its historical influence on Spain; the causes of national decadence; and the need to adopt a posture of tolerance and respect towards Islam, turned discussions on progress, civilization and barbarism into as many pretexts for breaking with the past while defending the drive for modernization shown by the new liberal Spain.