Erik Meddles

Synopsis of Research in Shanghai (January 11 - February 5)：

Meddles’ project compares the bodily experiences of soldiers in the French army during the invasion of the Tonkin region of Vietnam (1880-1895), with those of soldiers in the American army during the invasion of the Philippines (1899-1915). In particular, he is examining instances of appropriation of indigenous bodily practices, such as those involved in local forms of violence, uniforms, and food. He believes that this appropriation held the potential to both expand and trouble the exercise of colonial power and the stability of a colonial identity among soldiers fighting in these wars. He also seeks to investigate the ways in which republicanism, as a political ideology, forced French and American efforts to wrestle with unique problems and compare their resolutions (or lack thereof) to those issues.