The Columbian Encounter

Colonialism and Law

In this course, Dr Frederick Cowell (Birkbeck, University of London) explores colonialism and the law. In the first module, we introduce by discussing the Columbian encounter, and the creation of international law and legal doctrines. In the second module, we look at the drivers of international law. In the third module, we consider the effect of colonisation in India on international law, before turning to the scramble for Africa in the fourth module. In the fifth module, we finish by thinking about the end of the European empires and the legacy it left on the law.

The Columbian Encounter

In this module, we introduce the foundations of colonialism and international law, focusing in particular on (i) the Columbian encounter and european discovery (ii) the emergence of international legal doctrines (iii) Francisco de Vitoria and legal arguments (iv) Hugo Grotius and principles of the sea (v) the legacy of colonialism in international law.