The Routledge Companion to Media and Gender

Abstract

This study explores the origins and evolution of anti-Turkish prejudice in American public discourse from the early 19th century through the early 20th century. Focusing on Calvinist missionary writings, particularly those of Presbyterian and Congregationalist missionaries, the analysis reveals how these texts shaped enduring stereotypes about Turks and Muslims. The author meticulously examines a vast corpus of American publications spanning the period between the Greek War of Independence (1820s) and the Turkish War of Independence (1920s). These writings consistently portrayed Turks as barbaric and violent, often blaming them for conflicts with Christians while ignoring Muslim casualties or suffering. This narrative contributed to the marginalization of Ottoman culture in American educational materials, which frequently omitted any mention of Turkish contributions to art, literature, or architecture. Consequently, textbooks perpetuated the notion that Turks had no "civilization," reinforcing racial hierarchies and Islamophobia. The study underscores how these missionary narratives not only influenced contemporary views but also laid the groundwork for modern anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)