„So that our Children may enjoy a lasting peace“: Practices of securing peace treaties between Europeans and indigenous peoples in colonial North America, ca. 1605 - 1774

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christoph Kampmann
• Subject Area: Early Modern History
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 574285849

The European expansion and the ensuing extension of European colonial rule to large parts of the non-European world is undoubtedly one of the key phenomena of the early modern period and has, thus, been studied intensively by historical research. In this context, interest in the treaties that were intended to regulate relations between Europeans and indigenous peoples in the contact zones of expansion has also increased considerably. However, one central component of these intercultural treaties has so far received little attention and has only been touched by corresponding studies: The practices of securing treaties, which’s significance for intra-European treaty relations has been worked out more recently. It is precisely this investigation of contractually agreed measures to prevent a breach of treaty that is of decisive importance for the question how intercultural contracts could develop their effectiveness at all in the absence of unifying elements such as a common religion, a common culture or a common political practice, how trust and mistrust were handled in the intercultural sphere, and with which ideas of contractual and 'business ability' European and indigenous actors encountered each other. At this very point, the project departs by focusing on the practices of securing contracts between French, English and indigenous actors in North America between 1605 and 1774. Initial research has shown that there is an excellent record for this period of time and geographical area and that even practices of securing treaties which had already lost much of their significance in European treaty relations played a prominent role here, such as hostages. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis of the relevant treaty texts, the aim is to work out which practices of securing treaties were used in which contexts. The question will be asked which special measures were considered necessary in order to conclude effective, mutually binding and lasting peace treaties with non-Christian and, from a European perspective, uncivilized indigenous communities. Through this analysis of treaty practice and by looking at the negotiation level, insights are also to be gained into the thought patterns of the negotiating and contracting parties behind the securing of treaties. It is a central concern of the project to include and elaborate indigenous perspectives in awareness of the methodological challenges. In this way, the research results not only contribute to the history of intercultural diplomacy and international law but also provide insights into the mutual perception and identity formation of “Europeans” and “indigenous peoples”.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants