Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920
The First World War brought peoples from five continents to support the British and French Allies on the Western Front. Many were from colonial territories in the British and French empires, and the largest contingents were Indians and Chinese - some 140,000. It is a story of the encounter with the European 'other', including the civilian European local populations, often marred by racism, discrimination and xenophobia both inside and outside the military command, but also lightened by moving and enduring 'human' social relationships. The vital contribution to the Alles and the huge sacrifices involved were scarcely recognized at the Paris Peace Conference in 1918 or the post-war victory celebrations and this led to resentment - see huge media coverage in 2021. The effect of the European 'other' experience enhanced Asian political awareness and self-confidence, and stimulated anti-imperialism and proto-nationalism. This is a vivid and original contribution to imperial decline from the First World War. and the originality of the work is enhanced by rare sources culled from original documents and 'local' European fieldwork - in French, German and Flemish.
"1140074671"
Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920
The First World War brought peoples from five continents to support the British and French Allies on the Western Front. Many were from colonial territories in the British and French empires, and the largest contingents were Indians and Chinese - some 140,000. It is a story of the encounter with the European 'other', including the civilian European local populations, often marred by racism, discrimination and xenophobia both inside and outside the military command, but also lightened by moving and enduring 'human' social relationships. The vital contribution to the Alles and the huge sacrifices involved were scarcely recognized at the Paris Peace Conference in 1918 or the post-war victory celebrations and this led to resentment - see huge media coverage in 2021. The effect of the European 'other' experience enhanced Asian political awareness and self-confidence, and stimulated anti-imperialism and proto-nationalism. This is a vivid and original contribution to imperial decline from the First World War. and the originality of the work is enhanced by rare sources culled from original documents and 'local' European fieldwork - in French, German and Flemish.
49.95 In Stock
Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920

Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920

by Dominiek Dendooven
Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920

Asia in Flanders Fields: Indians and Chinese on the Western Front, 1914-1920

by Dominiek Dendooven

Hardcover

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Overview

The First World War brought peoples from five continents to support the British and French Allies on the Western Front. Many were from colonial territories in the British and French empires, and the largest contingents were Indians and Chinese - some 140,000. It is a story of the encounter with the European 'other', including the civilian European local populations, often marred by racism, discrimination and xenophobia both inside and outside the military command, but also lightened by moving and enduring 'human' social relationships. The vital contribution to the Alles and the huge sacrifices involved were scarcely recognized at the Paris Peace Conference in 1918 or the post-war victory celebrations and this led to resentment - see huge media coverage in 2021. The effect of the European 'other' experience enhanced Asian political awareness and self-confidence, and stimulated anti-imperialism and proto-nationalism. This is a vivid and original contribution to imperial decline from the First World War. and the originality of the work is enhanced by rare sources culled from original documents and 'local' European fieldwork - in French, German and Flemish.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526763334
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 02/17/2022
Pages: 248
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr Dominiek D endooven is an historian of the First World War and brings a unique European and Asian perspective to the study of the lived experiences of Indian and Chinese who served with the Allies and played vital combat and support roles in the European Great Power conflict. He is Curator and Researcher for the Flanders Fields Museum and is Associate Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Antwerp and University of Louvain. His PhD - basis of the book - is from University of Kent. He is an established author in English and French with over ten publications including works for English-speaking readers.

Table of Contents

Preface: a Personal Quest ix

Introduction xv

Part I India on the Western Front 1

Chapter 1 The Indian Army Corps and the Indian Cavalry Regiments 5

Chapter 2 The Indian Labour Corps 14

Chapter 3 The Indians through Belgian and French eyes 23

Chapter 4 The Indian Gaze on the West-Europeans and their Civilisation 36

Chapter 5 Between Relief and Desperation: Being a Prisoner of War 47

Chapter 6 Soldiers as Students 56

Chapter 7 Indian First World War Veterans as Agents of Change? 64

Part II The Chinese Labour Corps 71

Chapter 8 Chinese Labourers for Europe 71

Chapter 9 Flemish Witness Accounts on the Chinese 98

Chapter 10 Chinese War Experiences 125

Chapter 11 Experiencing War in Europe and its Lasting Impact on the Chinese Labourers' Lives 154

Chapter 12 Making a New China in the CLC? 160

Conclusion 166

Acknowledgements 176

Bibliography 178

Notes 193

Index 202

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