How did early ethnographies sometimes serve colonial governments and military forces?

Early ethnographies often served colonial and military interests by providing the practical knowledge necessary to establish and maintain political control over indigenous regions. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, colonial administrators from nations such as Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Russia collected ethnographic data to facilitate the management of their territories.12

These accounts were frequently authored by civil servants, military personnel, and missionaries who were tasked with documenting "vanishing" cultures. Beyond mere observation, this information was used to:1

• Justify Colonial Policy: By labeling indigenous groups as "savage" or "barbarous" within evolutionary frameworks, colonial powers made their policies of forced assimilation appear more palatable to the public.1
• Facilitate Governance: Ethnographic insights helped administrators understand local customs, which could then be used to modify or control the habits of indigenous populations.3
• Manage Change: In some instances, anthropologists acted as "culture brokers" or mediators, helping colonial or state governments implement policies, such as land distribution or modernization projects, that often disregarded the social needs and values of the indigenous people involved.2

While some early practitioners claimed "ethical neutrality," these activities were deeply intertwined with the power dynamics of colonial expansion.21