Discovering Problematic Issues During the History of Geography

Geography as a discipline has progressed dramatically since its colonial roots (pre-1700s) and has proceeded to become one of the most important studies in world history, being utilized in wars and everyday politics. Geography, however, has also been one of the most divided studies, in terms of gender and race equality which has only been recognized and actioned in recent decades. This essay will discuss these issues as well as others within the study and their impact on current, contemporary geographers and the work they do.

Geography and Colonialism (pre-1700s)

Starting with the earliest of problematic issues, colonialism as the birth of geographical thinking. Before the 18th century, geography mainly existed as mapping, navigating seas and 'discovering' new countries and new land. Cartography began mapping out the world and rich 'explorers' would report their exploits to others in private men's clubs and meetings (mostly in at the time). Moving forward through the years, interest grew in scientific research and trade which made geography more useful in the eyes of the government and politicians. Throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the growth of Britain's empire relied on geographical expertise and its applications for navigation and topographical mapping, geography eventually being nicknamed the 'science of imperialism'. The beginnings of colonialism and imperialism in geography created racist and anti-immigrant ideologies within the core of most geographical institutions, the remains of which can sometimes still be seen in literature and particular legacies throughout geographical societies. One example of this would be the legacy of William Morris Davis, a key figure in geomorphology, who had extremist views on imperialism and the geography surrounding race, claiming in his book, that few nations other than white nations had made societal advances and that taking land from others, was a necessity in the process of making a more 'civilized state'. In the effort of decolonizing geography as a discipline, Davis' legacy must not be memorialized, instead, contemporary geographers must recognize his professional contribution to geomorphology whilst also recognising his racist ideology that slowed progress within the study. To credit past geographers is to recognize and condemn the actions and ideologies of geographical associationssocieties and their members involved in the rise of geography. At present-day, there was a resurgence in these racist values when it came to COVID-19, with an increase in discrimination against AAPI populations (Asian, Asian-American or Pacific Islanders) around the world. Modern geographers must make an effort to redefine and decolonize the discipline as well as enact respectable values that ensure the early history of geography isn’t overlooked and rather chastised.

Geography and Gender Equality (1800s-1970s present)

Gender wasn't properly recognized as one of the discipline's issues until the 1970s, before this time (in the 1800s) women had to be accompanied by men to lectures and their work was seen as less superior than that of a man. Because the field was dominated by men, this meant there were questions about what counted as legitimate geographical knowledge and who could produce it, however, these questions were mostly asked by men who saw women as having skills and minds unequal to their own. The position of fellow at the royal geographical society (RGS) was given to some women briefly in the 1890s before the option was then taken away by outraged men in the society. Only 22 women were made fellows in this short time, and there wouldn't be any more for another 20 years. Women started to be recognized due to the feminist geography movement in the 70s and 80s, which brought new ideas and perspectives to geography, establishing a focus on human and social geographies as well as issues women face in the field. Women were granted the ability to become fellows again in 1913, although, by a man who was sexist but recognized how much money they would contribute to the society in the early 1900s. Women who were early members of the RGS have made many discoveries and notable contributions in geography but were not recognized or rewarded (or even shown as authors) in the same way men had been. Contemporary geographers must now fix this historic issue, ensuring equal opportunities are awarded to all genders and there must be an extra effort to make women more comfortable in male-dominated workspaces, creating policies that give consequences to those who discriminate against other genders, races or sexualities. It can be seen that women are still not always seen as equal in modern practices of science, and there is still a gender imbalance which increases after the post-graduate level, not due to lack of representation, but due to the obstacle of men which fill all higher positions.

Geography and the Military (1900-1950)

In the practice of contemporary geography, we must consider the problematic historic legacies that past geographers have played a role in. During both world wars, geography was centered in the conflict, and researchers and academics became utilized by the government and intelligence services to gain advances on enemy territory. Attacks were strategically coordinated based on geographical knowledge from experts resulting in victories, but also many casualties. Geography is much more useful for studying and executing war than it is for peace, however, modern geography is poised on peacekeeping and humanitarian objectives, ensuring a commitment is made to do better than we have done historically. Post-World War 1, geography was much better received by the public and proved its worth to the government, which led to the establishment of degrees at universities across the country, making geography easily accessible and widely studied by any person. It also broadened geography as a whole, adding the concepts of 'human' and 'physical' geography and regional geography, stressing the importance of development in places other than and the south. Heading toward World War 2, the geography involved became much more political, the treaty of Versailles was critiqued by right-wing geographers in Germany who used 'Nazi Spatial Theory' to remove and replace Jewish and Slavic populations with German citizens. Nazism racialized geography in order to achieve its political and criminal goals, at the same time, and North America turned to train geographers in military thinking and train soldiers in geographical thinking. America especially gained a much wider recognition for geography after the events of Pearl Harbor during WW2, and greatly credited geographers for their efforts. In modern geography and peacekeeping efforts, we must credit the geographic contribution to wars in the past, however, we must make sure that we use any wartime concepts for good, rather than repeat history and add to historic casualties.

Geography and Racial Equality (pre-1700s - present)

Racism has been at the root of geography since its colonial origins in the 1700s and has only recently been acknowledged (especially within geography) in the past few decades due to protest movements and improving policies. One problematic legacy in geography's history is the concept of eugenics in the 20th century, mostly by US geographer and climatologist Robert DeCourcy Ward, who promoted ideologies surrounding white supremacy and xenophobia, bringing them into mainstream geography. Although Ward made important discoveries in the fields of earth science, his way of thinking during his time at Harvard caused reductions in acceptance rates, especially among Jewish applicants, depriving geography of researchers and academics who could've made incredible discoveries of their own. Eugenics thinking was mainly led by 'ivy-league elites' at the start of the 20th century and ended up being the basis for many racist policies and public opinions in early America which can still be seen.

Modern geographers must again acknowledge their contribution but make an effort to decolonize all fields of geography, ensuring racist figures like Robert Ward and William Davis aren't memorialized or celebrated as they represent problematic and wrongful thinking of past geography. Recent events and collectives like the Black Lives Matter movement and the Stop Asian Hate movement are rightfully applying pressure to educational institutions and scientific societies to create a more equal and progressive environment.

Conclusion

The history of geography as a discipline is majorly flawed and has many problematic legacies which must be acknowledged and replaced by new contemporary geographers in order to create a more inclusive and diverse study for future generations, in turn promoting younger people of all backgrounds to pursue geography. There is still a lot more to be improved, in terms of workplace discrimination and combating exclusivity at the highest levels of education and institutions. The history of the study however is crucial for understanding progress and how far geographers have come despite their roots.