French Imperialism: Examining Economic, Political, and Social Factors

This essay delves into the complexities of French Imperialism, focusing on the arguments presented by Jules Ferry. It examines the economic motivations, such as the need for markets and resources, and the non-economic justifications, including the civilizing mission. The essay highlights Ferry's perspective on world trade, the challenges faced by French industries, and the rise of competing powers like Germany and the United States. It also explores the arguments against imperialism, the concept of superior races, and the need for safe harbors for ships. Through a detailed analysis of Ferry's viewpoints, the essay offers a comprehensive understanding of the factors that drove French colonial expansion in the 19th century, providing valuable insights into the historical context and motivations behind this significant period.

Running head: FRENCH IMPERIALISM
French imperialism
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1.Recent Developments in World Trade.........................................................................................3
2.Arguments against Imperialism....................................................................................................3
3.Non-Economic Arguments offered by Ferry................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
France launched its imperial expansion under the guidance of Prime Minister Jules Ferry. His
ambitious efforts to make France a colonial power and his decisions to defend his ideas are
portrayed in the case study. The research is based on the answers to three different questions on
French Imperialism.
1. Recent Developments in World Trade
According to Jules Ferry the recent developments of world trade have made it difficult for
France to sustain in the market. He believed that France urgently needed a policy that would help
it to establish colonies to help its industries survive in the long run. It was seen that the industries
of France were finding it hard to find considerable outlets. The major industries of France
especially the famous textiles industry which were bound by the treaties of 1860 lacked outlets
where they could sell their products. Jules cited some specific reasons for this as he noticed that
Germany slowly rose over the ranks and created trade barriers for industries of other nations to
compete in the global market (Robiquet, 1893). Another concern was the North American
powerhouse of United States of America which was similar to Germany as they too made life
difficult for organizations of other countries to survive. The problem was bigger than it seemed
as because apart from shrinking the market size the industries of USA and Germany penetrated
deeply into the French domestic market. Therefore this served out to be the reasons behind the
need for colonial expansion (Sager, 2016).

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2. Arguments against Imperialism
Jules Ferry had the belief that the job of the superior races was to train and civilize the class
of population that have been illiterate and uncivilized. He believed that Spain’s conquering of
Central America was welcome but the way in which they treated their inferiors was a loss. The
introduction of slavery by Spain is seen to be negative factor as it downgraded its prospects as a
superior race (Ferry & Robiquet, 1895). The following statement made by Jules clearly tried to
justify slavery and termed Europeans as the superior race. His statement also portrayed to the
fact that it was the right of the Superior races to establish a control over the inferior races. His
description is portrayed in the lines of “But, in our time, I maintain that European Nations acquit
themselves with generosity and with sincerity of this superior civilizing duty”.
3. Non-Economic Arguments offered by Ferry
Ferry offered a number of different non-economic arguments in favor of imperialism, among
them some are related to the need for shelters or safe places to operate, provide proper market for
French goods, the need for the ships and boats to anchor in a safe harbor. He says that a ship
have the ability to carry coal which can make it float in the seas for just two weeks after which it
would be rendered useless on the absence of coal (Pimentel, 2015). Thus it is utmost important to
search for safe resting places for the warships and ships carrying different items for export.
Docking will help the ships to supply the goods and articles at different markets across the
world. Jules believed that it was the need of the hour to take immediate and revolutionary steps
to establish its supremacy over other countries. Ferry also mentioned about civilization i9n
everything and also in politics and patriotism.

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References
Ferry, J., & Robiquet, P. (1895). Discours et opinions de Jules Ferry.
Pimentel, D. (2015). Legal Education as a Rule of Law Strategy-Problems and Opportunities
with US-Based Programs. UC Davis J. Int'l L. & Pol'y, 22, 41.
Robiquet, P. (1893). Discours et opinions de Jules Ferry. Paris: Armand Colin, 1898.
Sager, P. (2016). A Nation of Functionaries, a Colony of Functionaries The Antibureaucratic
Consensus in France and Indochina, 1848–1912. French Historical Studies, 39(1), 145-
182.