French Imperial Project: Formation of a Proto-Nationalist Identity in Indochina “Gentlemen, we must speak louder and more honestly! We must say openly that indeed the higher races have a right over the lower races,” declares Jules Ferry passionately, the twice prime minister of France. The time of imperial expansion dawned upon the French, and the competition for markets among imperial powers grew, waiting for no one. Realizing this, Ferry sought new sources of income for the nation, particularly Indochina, righteously declaring France a higher race with a right over the lower races before colonizing Indochina. Following the Industrial Revolution, France grew interested in trading with Indochina, which led to an attempt to spread the Catholic
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Jules Ferry, twice prime minister of France, promoted the French colonial empire greatly and gave the speech “On French Colonial Expansion” regarding the necessity of expanding their colonial empire. Ferry draws on French nationalism to incite a desire to improve French power and prestige, describing an uninvolved French nation that does not seek to expand power before claiming that “for a great nation to live this way, believe me, is to abdicate.[and] sink from the first rank to the third and fourth.” Ferry’s declaration of France as both “a great nation” and “first rank” instills pride in the French audience, who feel compelled to maintain their status quo of “first rank.” Using this competitive need to be highly industries.lack of more and more outlets. Why do you need to be a member? Because next door, Germany is setting up trade barriers,” and goes on to describe the limited access to markets that have been taken by other imperial powers. This again incites competition and a need to take action amongst the French, who feel their position is being threatened by other nations. …show more content…
little beings [in it] writhing, crying and suffering, still clinging to life. And every day we bring them: it’s a parade of poor devils carrying around their newborns.” Monnier’s description of the Indochinese environment and people is unflattering and undeveloped, with their building being a “hut” with an uncivilized connotation, and the babies “suffering” in this environment with their parents, who are “poor devils.” This language depicts Indochina as an uncivilized world filled with the suffering of pitiful, inferior people who are struggling to live in subpar conditions. Therefore, they need the help of their savior, the superior French, to bring civilization and salvation to them, also bringing personal motives. In the 1912 L’illustration collection, an image of Albert Sarraut, the governor of Indochina, plays the phonograph for the natives of a village (Appendix A).
Jules Ferry, twice prime minister of France, promoted the French colonial empire greatly and gave the speech “On French Colonial Expansion” regarding the necessity of expanding their colonial empire. Ferry draws on French nationalism to incite a desire to improve French power and prestige, describing an uninvolved French nation that does not seek to expand power before claiming that “for a great nation to live this way, believe me, is to abdicate.[and] sink from the first rank to the third and fourth.” Ferry’s declaration of France as both “a great nation” and “first rank” instills pride in the French audience, who feel compelled to maintain their status quo of “first rank.” Using this competitive need to be highly industries.lack of more and more outlets. Why do you need to be a member? Because next door, Germany is setting up trade barriers,” and goes on to describe the limited access to markets that have been taken by other imperial powers. This again incites competition and a need to take action amongst the French, who feel their position is being threatened by other nations. …show more content…
little beings [in it] writhing, crying and suffering, still clinging to life. And every day we bring them: it’s a parade of poor devils carrying around their newborns.” Monnier’s description of the Indochinese environment and people is unflattering and undeveloped, with their building being a “hut” with an uncivilized connotation, and the babies “suffering” in this environment with their parents, who are “poor devils.” This language depicts Indochina as an uncivilized world filled with the suffering of pitiful, inferior people who are struggling to live in subpar conditions. Therefore, they need the help of their savior, the superior French, to bring civilization and salvation to them, also bringing personal motives. In the 1912 L’illustration collection, an image of Albert Sarraut, the governor of Indochina, plays the phonograph for the natives of a village (Appendix A).