How did anthropologists contribute to policies of assimilation and control?

Anthropologists played a complex role in the policies of assimilation and control, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their contributions were often aligned with colonial and imperial goals, and their research frequently served to legitimize the social, cultural, and political dominance of European powers over Indigenous populations.

1. Cultural Hierarchies and Racial Theories: Early anthropologists often adopted ethnocentric views, ranking cultures based on perceived “civilizational” progress. These rankings were often based on racial theories that saw non-Western societies as “primitive” or “backward.” This reinforced the idea that these societies needed to be “civilized” or “assimilated” into Western ways of life. Anthropologists like Franz Boas, while critical of some of these racist theories, still worked within a framework that sometimes justified policies of control under the guise of “helping” Indigenous peoples.
2. Colonial Administration: Anthropologists working in colonial contexts often collaborated with colonial governments to help manage and control Indigenous populations. They provided insights into the social structures, customs, and practices of these groups, which in turn were used to create policies aimed at controlling, regulating, and “civilizing” them. This included forced assimilation programs, such as those targeting Indigenous children in North America and Australia, where they were taken from their families and placed in residential schools to be taught Western values and practices.
3. Assimilation and Education: Anthropologists sometimes supported or facilitated policies that sought to assimilate Indigenous people into European-dominated societies. In the United States, for example, the Bureau of Indian Affairs enlisted anthropologists to help design policies that would “civilize” Native Americans. These policies included the establishment of Indian boarding schools, where children were forbidden to speak their native languages or practice their traditions, reinforcing the belief that assimilation was necessary for survival.
4. Study of “Primitive” Societies: In some cases, anthropologists studied “primitive” societies in ways that aimed to understand how best to “help” them evolve into more “advanced” forms of society, based on Western ideals of governance, religion, and economics. These studies were often used to justify paternalistic policies that sought to control Indigenous lands, resources, and social structures. By framing Indigenous cultures as stagnant or needing improvement, anthropologists indirectly supported the notion that they required Western intervention.
5. Impact of Modern Anthropology: In more recent decades, anthropologists have critiqued the colonial and assimilationist roles their field historically played. They now often emphasize indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and decolonization, seeking to undo the harm caused by earlier policies and advocating for policies that honor the autonomy and cultural integrity of Indigenous peoples.