Jules Ferry

• The first imperial ideologist• His three main arguments in favour of colonisation:1.Economic – colonies will contribute to French wealth, expand industries, open markets2.Humanitarian / moral – France has a duty to its less fortunate brethrens, to civilise inferior races, export its principles

France’s political prestige

3. Ferry asserted that:The establishment of colonies would increase

France’s political prestige

• Ferry’s ideas eventually won• By 1910, colonialism was universally

accepted in France• Ferry’s 3 arguments were used to

legitimise France’s colonial presence

Assimilation

• French imperialism rested on the principle of assimilation• Results from ethnocentric assumption that:– French models are superior – So locals should be turned into French citizens

• Assmiliation a favoured method because:–Mirrored system used in France–To standardise the country since 1871

• The main tool – education, including language

A turning point

• Assimilation – undisputed until WWI• France had regained its confidence• Believed its culture was universal enough to be applied widely• The war shattered this confidence• Revealed barbarity of Western culture• Emergence of a more nuanced approach to other cultures

Relativism

• Evolutionist approach gave way to relativism• Viewpoints are subjective – according to differences in perception•Non-French cultures were valued and studied• A more fruitful relationship but also paternalistic / orientalising• NB Edward Said

A mentality shift

• Old and new ideas were ambiguously mixed• Also note Iraq and the French banlieues• Another reason for the change in mentality:–French army used African and Asian soldiers–Contribution was significant–Helped the French army to win–Colonies were thanked for their input

An inclusive colonial discourse?

• A change of mood in post-war period• Discourse on colonialism – more inclusive• The so-called indigènes needed to be involved in managing the colonies•They new local realities• Association – more productive than assimilation• Appointment of Black men to colonial administrator positions

A paradox

• In reality old ways were maintained• continuing racial discrimination and inequality• Paradox:–Theoretically – a great deal of creativity– Practice – no change

• Period regarded as the:– Golden age of French imperialism

The colonial exhibition

• Exposition coloniale of Vincennes• 30 million visitors• A propoganda exercise – show the world the successes of france’s colonial ventures• Coincided with the first attempts by the colonised to question the basis of French imperialism• NB the Negritude poets

Independence

• During the war, colonies gained in autonomy • Shortage of people in managerial positions• Some tasks were transferred to locals• They gained confidence• Leading to revolutionary mood of the post-war period• NB establishment of Union Française• 2 bloody wars of independence fought

Decolonisation

•Started in 1945 and ended in 1962•Traumatic for France and overseas possessions•End of war – France left the Middle East•Vietnamese nationalists launched attack on French in Indochina•Defeat at Dienbienphu in 1954

Algerian War of Independence

• Difficulties due to 1 million pieds-noirs• The first descdendants of European settlers in

North Africa (Camus)• Far-reaching consequences:

– Opposed views created civil strife– Fall of fourth republic– Return of de Gaulle to power

• Repatriation of people from North Africa• Increased migration of Maghrebin workers to France

Jules Verne

•Born in Nantes, Brittany•1828 – 1905•Prolific writer – around 80 novels•Captured spirit of his time•Fascinated with scientific discoveries•Also with geographical exploration•He combined these elements with fantasy

Changes in transportation

•Verne’s life – radical changes in travelling habits•His works are full of real and imaginary forms of transport•In the 19th C:– The beginnings of globalisation– Increase in numbers of travellers– Tourism industry growing

Western colonial expansion

• Colonial expansion contributed to the shrinking of the globe

• In the 19th C – the world considered a place to be understood and deciphered

• Creation of scholarly and institutional bodies:– geographical and anthropological– Aim of better understanding– ‘Colonising’ the world’s mysteries

Global travel and knowledge

• Travellers – scientists on missions• Helping colonisers to map out lands• Gain better knowledge of people• The world – an encyclopaedia• An obsession with classification• Including that of human races

The taming of the unknown

•Verne – deals with transition from known to unknown•Solving of scientific /geographical mysteries•He also explores the cosmos / the future•Dynamics – reflect conversion of non-Western world by European Empires

Littérature de jeunesse

• Verne’s books – geared towards adolescent readership• Published by Pierre-Jules Hetzel• He’d published Victor Hugo and specialised in ‘littérature de jeunesse’• Created bi-monthly magazine:–Le Magasin (sic) d’Éducation et de Récréation–Verne’s stories were serialised in it

Livres d’étrennes

• His books sold extremely well• Livres d’étrennes – luxuriously bound• Verne – a masterof vulgurisation scientifique• His books had a strong didactic element• He incorporated his own research into his novels

Verne’s works of literature

• He also wrote geographical and travel-based ‘ouvrages de vulgarisation’• Knowledge / science is not an aim in itself• It is used to bring happiness to the characters – the ultimate aim• Bildungsromane – describe progressive maturing of the characters

Verne’s politics

• Became more pessimistic towards science later in his life – demonstrated in novels• Was on the left of the political spectrum• 1889 – town councillor for a political party• Strong belief in collective work• L’Ile mysterieuse – colonial metaphor