French Imperialism and Colonization

Second Phase of French Colonization: 1830 to 1930

• This phase is characterized by Imperialism and Revolutions.

The Start of Rebuilding

• Individual efforts: La Grandiere established the protectorate of Cambodia in 1863, going beyond the instructions of the ministry of naval affairs.
• Government efforts: The decision to stay in Algeria was taken by the Ministers of Louis-Philippe, and the Naval Ministry ratified the decision to defend their right in Madagascar in 1832.

The Century of Imperialism and Revolutions

• Divided into three periods:
  • 1830 to 1870 (40 years): Establishment of a new base for French colonial empire
  • 1870 to 1900 (30 years): Period of expansion
  • 1901 to 1930/31 (30 years): The Apogee

The Period of Impetus (1830 to 1870)

• Deciding factors in the expansion:
  • Economic factors
  • The Army
  • Religion
  • Ideological movements
  • International politics

The Beginning of Colonization

• In Algeria
• In Sub-Saharan Africa:
  • Senegal
  • La Mission Mage (1883 to 1886) aimed to establish commercial ties and find the shortest route between Senegal basin and Niger basin
  • Trading Posts in Guinee, Ivory coast, and Gabon; later in Dahomey kingdom, Cotonou, and Porto Novo (Bénin)
  • In 1859, all possessions from Guinea to Gabon were clubbed under one administrative entity - "Etablissement Français de la Côte d’Or et du Gabon"

Colonization in Other Regions

• In Indian Ocean:
  • L’ile Saint Marie (since 1821)
  • The City of Obock (Djibouti) in 1862
  • Cheikh-Said Bay in 1868
• In the Pacific:
  • Various Islands including Tahiti (1837 to 1842)
  • New Caledonia (1853)
• In the Far East:
  • Annam (1858)
  • Saigon (1859)
  • Cochinchine (1862 and 1867)

The Period of Expansion (1870 to 1900/1904)

• The greatest period of French Imperialism
• Formation of Parti Colonial in 1890
• The Army personnel, bureaucrats, and missionaries played important roles
• Organisation of Parti Colonial:
  • Formation of 'Groupe Coloniale' in the Chambre des députés (100+ members) in 1892
  • Formation of 'Groupe Coloniale' in the Sénat (30+ members) in 1898
  • Creation of the "Comité de l’Afrique Française" in 1890 to promote French influence and commerce in West, Central, and North Africa
  • L'Union Coloniale Française in 1893, a syndicat of major French houses having their interests in the colonies

The Opposition to Colonial Expansion

• Bourgeois Anti-colonialism:
  • Opposition to Jules Ferry
  • Fear for the Security of France
• Socialist Anti-colonialism:
  • Condemned the Mercantile character of the colonisation
  • Against the use of Force
  • Excessive expenditure
  • The misery of the indigenous population
  • The threat of a War

Public's Opinion

• Initially, colonization was seen as a shady affair
• After 1890, it was seen as a natural release for Nationalism and compensation for the loss of Alsace and Lorraine

The Colonial Doctrine

• Three Ideas:
  • Exploitation: The utility of the colonial enterprise for metropolitan France
  • Assimilation: Official doctrine of the Third Republic (1870-1940), aiming for administrative and political assimilation
  • Association: The middle way, recognizing the impossibility of assimilating different races, and assuring their prosperity instead

The Apogee (1904 – 1930/1931)

• The period during which the English confrontation was over and the French expansion continued for a quarter of a century till 1934
• Military operations continued in Central Sahara, Eastern Sahara, and A.E.F. (African Equatorial French)

During World War I

• No major revolts in the colonies
• 100,000 soldiers managed the whole empire
• The empire extended, and the contribution of the colonies in the World War was immense

After World War I

• The Madate System (of the League of Nations) was a compromise between the Allied Powers
• French gains:
  • German Colonies (1914)
  • Ottoman Empire (1914)

Explore the history of French colonization and imperialism from 1830 to 1930, including quotes from notable figures like Volland and Tocqueville.