French Colonial Empire Expansion

Study Notes

In 1859, all French possessions from Guinea to Gabon were united under one administrative entity, "Etablissement Français de la Côte d’Or et du Gabon".
The City of Obock (Djibouti) was acquired in 1862, and Cheikh-Said Bay in 1868.
In the Pacific, various islands, including Tahiti, were acquired between 1837 and 1842, and New Caledonia in 1853.

This period is considered the greatest period of French Imperialism.
The Parti Colonial was formed in 1890, consisting of Army personnel, bureaucrats, and missionaries.
Joseph Galliéni said, "I have no better collaborators in my great colonial task than the missionaries."

In 1892, the "Groupe Coloniale" was formed in the Chambre des députés with over 100 members.
In 1898, the "Groupe Coloniale" was formed in the Sénat with over 30 members.
The "Comité de l’Afrique Française" was created in 1890 to promote French influence and commerce in West, Central, and North Africa.
The "Union Coloniale Française" was formed in 1893 as a syndicate of major French houses with interests in the colonies.

Bourgeois Anti-colonialism:
- Opposed Jules Ferry
- Feared for the security of France
Socialist Anti-colonialism:
- Condemned the mercantile character of colonization
- Opposed the use of force
- Criticized excessive expenditure
- Highlighted the misery of the indigenous population
- Feared the threat of war

Colonization was seen as a shady affair.
After 1890, colonization was seen as a natural release for nationalism and compensation for the loss of Alsace and Lorraine.

Three ideas:
- Exploitation: the main criteria for any colonial enterprise was its utility for metropolitan France.
- Assimilation: the official doctrine of the Third Republic (1870-1940), aiming for administrative and political assimilation.
- Association: the middle way, assuring prosperity for different races that could not be assimilated.

This period saw the English confrontation come to an end, and despite conflicts with Germans, French expansion continued for a quarter of a century until 1934.

In Central Sahara, the Touaregs collapsed in 1902, and Tindouf could not be occupied before 1934.
In Eastern Sahara, the politico-religious fraternity Senoussi had influence over French territories, and the regions of Kanem-Borkou-Ennedi were occupied in 1913.
There were revolts, such as the Dogons' revolt in 1908-1910 and the Toma (Loma) resistance until 1911.

No major revolts occurred, and 100,000 soldiers managed the whole empire, resisting enemy attacks and extending the empire.
The colonies contributed significantly to the war effort, with 650,000 soldiers (indigenous and European), 200,000 workers, and 6 million tons of raw materials and food grains.

This century of imperialism and revolutions saw individual efforts, such as La Grandiere establishing the protectorate of Cambodia in 1863, and government efforts, such as the decision to stay in Algeria.
The Naval Ministry ratified the decision to defend their rights in Madagascar in 1832.
This period can be divided into three phases:
- 1830-1870: The establishment of a new base for the French colonial empire.
- 1870-1900: The period of expansion.
- 1901-1930/31: The Apogee.