Colonial elites envisioned orphan colonies as instruments of racial improvement

Evidence

The Raad van Indië enthusiastically endorsed the plan that would yield “competent farmers”—“both the less fortunate as well as others working for a wage.” On coming of age, state assistance would provide the colonies’ residents with a parcel of land and a cash advance. Such agricultural institutions would work along with state institutions to train the young for work in crafts, factories, and industry. — Ann Laura Stoler, Along the Archival Grain_ Epistemic…, 780