Abstract
The article examines the reflection of the images of France’s primary adversaries in colonial politics, Britain and Germany, in the narratives of the principal advocates of French colonization, namely Jules Ferry, who held numerous positions in the Third Republic’s government, and Professor Paul Leroy-Beaulieu from College de France.
This study examines the last third of the nineteenth century. This period is known as the peak of colonial expansion by leading European powers. Based on the methodology proposed by E. Said, this study will show the purpose the image of the “Other” colonizer constructed by the main ideologists of French colonization.
As a result of the analysis of narratives, it is possible to show the difference between images of the “Other” colonizers. The British colonizers were perceived as models and experts in colonial affairs, who deservedly occupied the main place in European colonization. At the same time, the image of the German colonizer came out quite different. That colonizer appeared as a malicious, suddenly appearing on the colonial arena rival, who made a number of mistakes. Thus, France’s main competitors were presented in very different ways: Great Britain as an equal rival, and Germany as a petty, suddenly appeared opponent, from whom one could not know what to expect.
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