Empire: World History 223. Empire of Plants: From Kew Gardens to Botany Bay
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Jan 23, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland and Empireworld, delves into the fascinating ties between Kew Gardens and British imperialism. He explores how Kew served as both a symbol and a catalyst for revolutionary industries, like rubber cultivation. The dark consequences of these pursuits on indigenous populations are also highlighted. Sanghera examines the historical roots of botanic gardens and their intertwined relationship with colonial ambitions, bringing a critical lens to a seemingly tranquil topic.
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Linnaeus's Impact on Botany
- Linnaeus's system for classifying plants, based on their reproductive organs, revolutionized botany.
- This system facilitated the organization and study of plants from all over the world.
Racism in Botany
- Linnaeus's classification of humans, based on race and origin, was deeply racist.
- This highlights the interconnectedness of imperialism and botany, reflected in racist plant names used until the 1990s.
Joseph Banks's Expeditions
- Joseph Banks, a wealthy botanist, joined Cook's voyage, contributing significantly to the collection of plant samples.
- He advocated for Botany Bay as a penal colony due to the perceived "cowardice" of the natives.
