Протестантские миссионеры и британская колонизация Западной Африки в конце XVIII — начале XIX в

Государство, религия, церковь в России и за рубежом. 2022. № 3. С. 59–83.

Kovalev I. G.

The article analyzes the reasons for the radical transformation of British policy towards West Africa, which led to the rejection of the long‐standing bet on obtaining super‐profits from the slave trade and the gradual formation of traditional colonial possessions in the region. The author shows the role of Protestant preachers in the for‐ mation and dissemination of concepts about the civilizing mission and the need for Christianization. The article compares the policy of Great Britain with that of other European powers, primarily France. It shows the role of British missionaries in the study of West Afri‐ can territories and the promotion of the European exploration of the new lands and the development of the school education system. The authors show how these efforts were connected with the goals of ex‐ tracting economic benefits from the colonies. The article draws upon a variety of primary sources, as well as upon academic publications about the role of Protestant missionaries in the colonization process.

Keywords: Западная Африка, Протестантские миссионеры, аболиционизм, Церковное миссионерское общество