400 years of French Empires

The rise and fall of French Empires throughout a period of 400 years are outlined. Two central and parallel concepts in French political discourse, "grandeur" and "decadence", are used to analyze the French Empire. The article starts by commenting on the rise of the empire, inclu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inInternasjonal politikk Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 157 - 171
Main Author Graeger, Nina
Format Journal Article
LanguageNorwegian
Published 01.04.2008
Subjects
Colonization
Empires
France
Imperialism
Organizational Structure
Political Systems
Racism
Rhetoric
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The rise and fall of French Empires throughout a period of 400 years are outlined. Two central and parallel concepts in French political discourse, "grandeur" and "decadence", are used to analyze the French Empire. The article starts by commenting on the rise of the empire, including its geographical reach and direct and indirect political structures and systems. The French imperial policy of assimilation of colonies is examined as a political function to legitimize imperialism as a "mission civilisatrice"; to bring French civilization and liberty to the colonies. The article argues that French imperial rhetoric and propaganda to colonial populations were influenced by social Darwinism, racism, and military interests to display superiority of the French Empire. The article comments on the use of instruction and education in colonial administration and colonial history to maintain and develop the Empire once established. The article discusses the fall and decolonization of the French Empire, and concludes with lessons learned from the empire that applies to modern day France, including French exceptionalism. This article is one in a series of articles on the topic of empires. References. E. Sundby
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
content type line 23
ObjectType-Feature-2
ISSN:0020-577X