Routledge Governing Savages by Routledge - Anthropology and Sociology Book

Governing Savages by Routledge provides a deep look into a dark chapter of Australian history. The book examines the events of 1928 near Alice Springs, where a punitive party carried out attacks on Aborigines following the death of a white man. While the party leader admitted to 31 deaths, local missionary accounts suggest the toll was significantly higher, ranging from 70 to 100 people. This work places these violent events within the broader context of national government policies. Since 1911, the Commonwealth has held direct responsibility for the administration of the Northern Territory. The text explores how specific government actions, characterized by brutality and calculated neglect, created a lasting and bitter legacy for the region. For readers interested in anthropology, sociology, or historical studies, this book offers a serious examination of how administrative decisions and state policies impact indigenous communities. It serves as a historical record of the consequences of governance during this era in the Northern Territory.