My previous engagement with microhistory was primarily in HI2001 when looking at The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Zemon Davis, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The readings this week were no different. I found Andrade’s article particularly engaging and enjoyable, which perhaps I attribute to its descriptive style and almost storytelling nature.
Something that was new to me this week was the concept of “global microhistory”, which Andrade and Linden particularly engaged with. Reading these texts, I was intrigued by what first appeared to me as a bit of an oxymoron. However, I now see and understand how global microhistory can be of great use and contribute to both our understanding of events, themes, and the overall discipline. While microhistorians have tended to focus on individuals or communities confined to certain places or small regions, global microhistory looks at following them around the world, across whatever boundaries, territories, or frontiers they may cross. This then allows us “to identify the big picture in small details”, as noted by Linden. The individual perspectives, journeys and experiences can contribute to larger historiographical topics and issues, and our understanding of them.
The texts this week also helped spark some inspiration for ideas for my project. After taking a module last semester on postcolonial Europe and the legacies of empire, I have found themes of colonialism, postcolonialism, as well as the gendered aspects within them very interesting and thought-provoking. Subsequently, a possible idea for my project could be to look at such themes from a global microhistory approach. This could consist of, for example, following an immigrant’s journey from the colonies to the metropole, and using this to understand their experience, struggles, and integration into a former colonial power. It could also highlight wider issues and themes in both the metropole society and immigrant communities, such as those of race, integration, and nationality.
Another aspect that drew my interest was made in Linden’s reading, when she highlights that it was not only the flow of people that stretched across the world, but that also ideas, institutions, and objects travelled and had significant influence on large areas. She talks about the example of the abolition of the slave trade, and how the British effort and campaign for abolition at the start of the nineteenth century in turn had significant effects on labour relations and slavery on other continents. Following a similar style, I would perhaps be interested in looking at how, for example, women’s suffrage activism and movements across the globe influenced each other. Having looked at the topic in both school and university but from a primarily British national history focus, I think it would be very insightful to explore these transnational flows and influences.
With the project proposal a few weeks away, I am looking forward to exploring these ideas further, as well as any others that may arise, and discovering their potential and suitability for my research project.
Greetings fellow micro-history appreciator! I was also a fan of Natalie Zemon Davis’ The Return of Martin Guerre from HI2001, which is why I think both of us found Andrade’s article very engaging. Aside from the storytelling aspect, Andrade’s use of sources and his ability to highlight different historical actors interestingly re-contextualized the story within a global context. As you say, this approach can illuminate larger topics from smaller details or stories. I found your ideas for the final project very interesting! I like how you draw on concepts from Linden, especially if you decide to focus on a micro-history of migration or suffrage movements. Judging from your ideas, I recommend you take a look at early 20th century Indian women’s movements, specifically the stories of Ushabai Dange, Sarojini Naidu, and Parvatibai Bhore. Their lives and activism may form a solid basis for your comparison to other women’s movements. I look forward to hearing more about your final project!