HSY2601 - Themes In The 19th Century History: Power And The Western World (HSY2601)
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Write an essay identifying and discuss the characteristics and elements of
colonialism on French subjects in the 19th Century.
The purpose of this essay is to describe and analyse the traits and components of
colonialism on French subjects in the 19th century. The claim is that the French
practiced several forms of colonialism in their colonies, such as settling colonies,
colonial foundation for commercial and political purposes, and indirect
administration. The French dominated their subjects politically, economically, and
culturally, repressing indigenous cultures and languages and utilizing local resources
and labour for their own economic gain (Ferguson, 2003). 1
The French colonized their subjects in a variety of ways, each one specific to the
areas and peoples they were attempting to rule (Osterhammel, 1997). 2 The purpose
of this essay is to describe and analyse the traits and components of colonialism on
French subjects in the 19th century.
Several forms of colonialism were used by the French in their colonies, depending
on the requirements of the French state (Osterhammel, 1997). One form was the
settlement colonies, when the French sent numerous settlers to annex territory from
the native population while taking advantage of the labour and resources to their
detriment (Osterhammel, 1997). Although the French also practiced this form of
colonialism in Algeria, it was mostly identified with the British (Ferguson, 2003).
The formation of colonies primarily to maintain naval bases, keep tabs on economic
relations and political developments, or stake a claim in the imperial competition with
other Western countries was another form of French colonialism (Osterhammel,
1997). For instance, the French established authority over the region and Goree
Island, a significant slave harbour, by building a naval base there in Senegal (Colley,
2003). 3 Indirect rule, which the French also employed in their colonies, was
distinguished by little interference with native cultures and a high degree of
autonomy for traditional leaders (Osterhammel, 1997). This method was mostly
employed in French West Africa, where the French exercised indirect administration
over states including Senegal, Mali, the Ivory Coast, and Guinea (Osterhammel,
1997).
French colonial rule featured a variety of traits and components, such as dominance
in politics, the economy, and culture (Osterhammel, 1997). Politically, the French
imposed their own political systems on their subjects, such as the Indigénat system
in Algeria, which granted the French governor-general the authority to decide the
fate of indigenous peoples without a court hearing (Osterhammel, 1997). Another
French colony that employed this technique was Madagascar (Osterhammel, 1997).
In order to create their own economy, the French economically exploited their
colonies' labour and resources (Osterhammel, 1997). The French developed
plantations in West Africa where they produced crops including cocoa, cotton, and
peanuts that were later sold to France (Ferguson, 2003). Also, the French utilized
their colonies to get raw materials for their own industries, such as rubber from
Indochina and oil from Algeria (Osterhammel, 1997).
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