Extract
[...] France was thus in the midst of colonial expansion. Document 1 is an excerpt from the famous speech delivered by Jules Ferry before the Chamber of Deputies on July shortly after the Berlin Conference. Indeed, at that time, Jules Ferry, a radical republican, was no longer in government but only a deputy, having been ousted a few months earlier over French policy in Tonkin. The issue at stake in this speech was the government's budgetary proposals, and thus Jules Ferry defended his opinions on colonial policy. [...]
[...] Does French colonization result from an economic problem or a political problem? First, French colonization reveals an economic problem; however, it is also the result of a political problem. Development Economic Problem of French Colonization Firstly, in his speech, Jules Ferry, in favor of colonization, points to an economic aspect of colonization. Indeed, his economic argument takes on a commercial dimension by evoking the outlets, that is to say, according to him, colonization is necessary for France for an economic reason, that of "outlets" for French industries. [...]
[...] Two visions then oppose each other, two different political perspectives emerge. However, the Duke of Broglie during the parliamentary debate relies on a political aspect of colonization. In fact, according to him, a colony can challenge France's place on the international scene. He thus directs the opposition of liberal monarchists against the republican colonial policy supported in part by Jules Ferry. The Duke of Broglie uses the example of England taken up by Jules Ferry, who, for his part, seeks to support France's position of affirmation in the eyes of European competitors in terms of colonization, particularly in relation to England and Germany. [...]
[...] Jules Ferry then sees the colonies as an alternative to the crisis that Europe is going through at this time. Thus, according to him, the supply of colonial products allows the extension of the market to the international level, France relies on these exports. Facing markets that "shrink" and the industrial revolution, France seeks to acquire new raw materials that contribute to strengthening the country's economic power. On the other hand, during his intervention, Jacques Victor Albert opposes in a way the words of Jules Ferry. [...]
[...] Thus, on the political aspect, each of the excerpts confirms the divergent opinions of the two speakers." Conclusion In conclusion, French colonization is the result of a problem that is primarily of an economic nature, but which can, to a certain extent, be of a political nature. Colonization is criticized by a minority and justified by a majority in the 19th century. Jules Ferry has a colonialist position, while Jacques Victor Albert has a position described as more anti-colonialist. The colonial cause is not won. Will the question of colonial policy, so prized in the 19th century, be the subject of as much debate in the 20th century? [...]
