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Representation of Indigenous Population
Humboldt’s publications such as Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent during the years 1799-1804 originate from a time in which colonialism was prevalent. Within recent academic publications, there are arguments for or against Humboldt’s own imperial bias. Within the book Imperial Eyes, Pratt argues for an implicit imperial bias within Humboldt’s writing. While Humboldt financed his expedition to the Spanish colonies independently, the Spanish monarchy allowed him to travel to South America. Due to the unrests within the Spanish colonies in South America, the Spanish crown implemented liberal reforms which lead to greater support of the Spanish monarchy within the lower class. However, Pratt highlights that the reforms created opposition towards the Spanish rule within the higher class as the declining control of the Spanish monarchy would result in the white South American elite to lose their privileges. When Humboldt writes about the nature within South America, he portrays it as neutral and free of people: If the indigenous population is mentioned within Humboldt’s writing, Pratt argues that they are only represented when they are beneficial for Europeans. Others argue that Humboldt is a German Columbus as he describes a virginal country that could be used for commerce by Europeans.

Other scholars counter Pratt’s argumentation and refer to the abolitionist and anti-colonialist standpoint that Humboldt represents within his writing: An example is Humboldt’s descriptions of the South American colonies in which he critiques the Spanish colonial rule. His close relation to enlightenment values such as liberty and freedom lead to his support of democracy and the subsequent support of the independence of South America. In order to improve the situation of the indigenous population, Humboldt includes propositions within his wiring that he also presents to the Spanish monarchy. When witnessing a slave market, Humboldt was shocked by the treatment of black people which lead him to become opposed to slavery and support the abolitionist movement throughout his life. Within his descriptions within Personal Narratives, Humboldt also includes the answers that were given to him by indigenous people. Additionally, Lubrich argues that despite the colonial and orientalist notions within his writing, Humboldt does not recreate these stereotypes, but deconstructs them.