Scottish Highlanders and Native Americans: Indigenous Education in the Eighteenth-Century Atlantic World

by Margaret Connell Szasz

Two indigenous cultures encounter Scottish educators in the eighteenth century

The Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SSPCK) was founded in 1709 by Scottish Lowlanders for the education of Highlanders: specifically to convert them from the Gaelic language to English, from the Episcopal faith to Presbyterianism, and from latent Jacobitism to loyalty to the crown. In a transatlantic translation of this effort, the “Scottish Society” also established itself in the New World to educate and assimilate Iroquois, Algonquin, and southeastern Native peoples.

In this first book-length examination of the SSPCK, Margaret Connell Szasz explores the origins of the Scottish Society’s policies of cultural colonialism and their influence on two disparate frontiers. Drawing intriguing parallels between the treatment of Highland Scots and of Native Americans, she incorporates multiple perspectives on the cultural encounter, juxtaposing the attitudes of Highlanders and Lowlanders, English colonials and Native peoples, while giving voice to the Society’s pupils and graduates, its schoolmasters, and religious leaders.

Featuring more than two dozen illustrations, Scottish Highlanders and Native Americans brims with intriguing comparisons and insights into two cultures on the cusp of modernity. It is a benchmark in emerging studies of comparative education and a major contribution to the growing literature of cross-cultural encounters.

302 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2007

Reviews

[Alessandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connell-Szasz is my advisor here at UNM, and her knowledge of comparative ethnohistory is renowned in the academic field. Transnational history is the daunting task of knowing two time periods and locations extremely well and then possessing the insight to bridge the gaps comparatively. Szasz does an excellent job commenting on the eighteenth century indigenous education programs in Northeastern America and Highland Scotland. She then crafty presents the chief examples of the effects of such "cultural colonialism" in the stories of Mohegan Presbyterian Minister Sam Occom and Highland Gael Dugald Buchanan. These men, on different continents, were the embodiments of "cultural intermediaries" and provide key examples of how the victims of colonialism struggled to mediate their tradition with the imposition of a new way of life.Not only are we made aware of the unique impact the Scots had in North America (via the Society in Scotland for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge est 1701), we are enlightened by the cultural colonialism taking place in Scotland itself. An amazingly innovative and informative read. I only hope my comparative work of the future can come close to the craft of Margaret Connell-Szasz.

[Marsha]

I haven't read this book yet, but I can suggest it. I had the privilege of taking a college course taught by Connell-Szasz with this exact topic. She was actually working on this book, while teaching. As a Native American student, I have always dreaded reading or learning anything historical (as you can imagine), but not only was Connell-Szasz able to intrigue me with the Native American aspect, she was also able to teach me alot about Scottish culture and the subsequent changes to their livelihood through colonization. If you think about it, she plays a significant role as an intermediary. (how cool!)

[Petter Nordal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book which looks at the cultural consequences and connections of English-British colonization of the Scottish Highlands and New York State. Fabulously researched and told.