French as a Tool for Colonialism: Aims and Consequences

This paper examines the use of French as a political tool for colonialism during the 2nd French Colonial Empire (1830-1946), with special reference to educational policies. The term ‘colonialism’ is used in its broadest sense to include not only the colonies but also the protectorates which rapidly became de facto colonies. The main areas examined are the Maghreb, Africa (excluding Madagascar) and Indochina. No mention will be made of the 1st French Colonial Empire, during which French cannot be properly regarded as having served as a ‘tool for colonialism’, since it was the natural language of its settlers (although spoken in different forms depending on their geographical and social origins). The 2nd Empire, on the other hand – with the exception of Algeria – was not intended to be made up of colonies à peupler, but of colonies à administrer. This required extending the French language to the native populations, but in what proportions and to what degree depended on the current colonial doctrine.