Writing the history of European empires

Dr Alexander Samson, Professor of Early Modern Studies at University College London, visited WHS last week to speak about ‘Writing the history of European empires.’ Sixth Form students and staff from sister GDST schools Putney and Streatham & Clapham, together with KCS, joined us for this lecture.

It was a fantastic opportunity for our Sixth Formers to hear about a very important topic that is often not covered in A-level syllabuses but is crucial for a full understanding of the history of Spain, and indeed, Europe.

Dr Samson's fascinating and wide-ranging talk covered the history of Spanish colonialism and the encounter between Europe and the Americas. He discussed the power of discourse, exploring how the Spanish justified their conquest of the Americas through their depiction of the indigenous people as well as how they framed the narrative about establishing empire. Dr Samson introduced students to the notion of palimpsests in the context of rewriting history and geography, renaming and remapping spaces. He illustrated these ideas through sources including a range of maps and Columbus’ letters.

Mrs Parker, Head of Spanish