The New Zealand Wars and the Victorian Interpretation of Racial ConflictAuckland University Press, 1. mai 2015 - 400 pages James Belich’s book is a tour de force. In a brilliant new analysis, he demolishes the received wisdom of the course and outcome of the new Zealand Wars . . . explains how we came by the version and why it is all wrong, and substitutes his own interpretation. It is a vigorous and splendidly stylish contribution to our historiography. – the New Zealand Listener This is not just a good book. It is a remarkable book. – Professor Keith Sinclair First published in 1986, James Belich’s groundbreaking book and the television series based upon it transformed New Zealanders’ understanding of the ‘bitter and bloody struggles’ between Maori and Pakeha in the nineteenth century. Revealing the enormous tactical and military skill of Maori, and the inability of the ‘Victorian interpretation of racial conflict’ to acknowledge those qualities, Belich’s account of the New Zealand Wars offered a very different picture from the one previously given in historical works. Maori, in Belich’s view, won the Northern War and stalemated the British in the Taranaki War of 1860–61 only to be defeated by 18,000 British troops in the Waikato War of 1863–64. The secret of effective Maori resistance was an innovative military system, the modern pa, a trench-and-bunker fortification of a sophistication not achieved in Europe until 1915. According to the author: ‘The degree of Maori success in all four major wars is still underestimated – even to the point where, in the case of one war, the wrong side is said to have won.’ This bestselling classic of New Zealand history is a must-read – and Belich’s larger argument about the impact of historical interpretation resonates today. |
Contents
Preface to the 2015 edition | 10 |
Preface | 11 |
Introduction | 15 |
The Northern War | 27 |
The Taranaki War | 71 |
The Waikato War | 117 |
Titokowaru and Te Kooti | 201 |
Conclusions | 289 |
Glossary of Maori Terms | 337 |
References | 338 |
377 | |
389 | |
Common terms and phrases
AjHR Arawa army assault attack Auckland battle British Burrows bush Cameron campaign casualties chiefs CN/O Coast Colonel colonial colonists constabulary Cowan Papers decisive defeat defence Despard DQMG Journals effect enemy European expedition fact fighting fire FitzRoy force garrison Grey Gudgeon Haultain Heke and Kawiti Heke's historians interpretation J. C. Richmond July June Kawiti killed King Movement Kingite Kooti Kororareka kupapa land Mair March McDonnell McLean Papers Meremere natives New-Zealander Ngai-te-Rangi Ngapuhi Ngatapa Ngati Kahungunu Ngati Maniapoto Ngati Porou Ngati Ruanui Ngutu North numbers Ohaeawai operations Orakau Pai Marire Pakeha party Paterangi peace Plymouth position Poverty Bay Puketakauere raid Ranga Rangiaowhia Rangiriri redoubt Report resistance Rewi Ringatu Ruapekapeka sapping Sept settlers strategic success tactical Tamehana Taranaki Tauranga Tauranga-ika Tempsky tion Titokowaru tribes troops Tuhoe Urewera victory Waikato Wairoa Waitara Waka Wanganui warriors Wellington Whitmore Whitmore's Williams wounded wrote Zealand Wars