We gift people all the time but what if countries gifted each other? In fact, this has been a historical practice and, a significant one, since centuries. William Fowler, distinguished professor of History at Northeastern University, talks about this tradition and some of the strangest and most unusual gifts that America happened to receive.
One of the most significant gifts in American history, according to him, is the statue of liberty. Originally intended to arrive for America’s centennial celebration in 1875-75, it didn’t arrive until 1885 due to many delays. This gift by the French was not just a commemoration of the American Revolution but also a reminder to the people about the ideals of liberty and equality.
With a symbolic value, these gifts between nations had huge symbolic significance in the past. Now, however, they have declined in their importance and the gifts received are usually placed in a museum or archived. The gifts in the past were an important part of treaty-making. Theses treaties, mostly with the native Americans, involved exchanging of gifts, a practice that was borrowed from the British and the Spanish.
The peace between nations is maintained with the utmost care. When treaties were sealed with gifts, the smallest things became reasons for wars. Fowler points out the War of Jenkin’s Ear as an example. England and Spain were on antagonistic terms with each other when Captain Jenkins, a British smuggler, was caught on a Spanish vessel. A Spanish officer sliced off Jenkins’ ear which he preserved and brought back to England to show in the Parliament as a specimen of Spanish cruelty. This became one of the reasons for Britain to declare the war against Spain. History is, after all, a story to tell. With gifts and ears, Fowler shared about the little things that make up this grand narrative.
N Malavika Mohan