The Fall of France as Viewed from French West Africa

Abstract

My paper follows a chronological trajectory, commencing with the build-up to World War Two, moving through the dr6le de guerre, and finally the Battle for France. Chapter I shows how the colonial regime prepared their subjects for the eventuality of war, while emerging from a period of social agitation in FWA. Focus was placed on attempts to assuage West Africans that the horrors of World War One would not be repeated. The main themes of the propaganda during this period were a celebration of the mise en valeur of the colonies as Europe faced the bellicose ambitions of Hitler in Poland. Chapter II presents a France still attempting to appease Hitler, but becoming more recognizant of the fact that another conflagration is going to materialize. Therefore, greater emphasis is placed on fostering the loyalty of the colonies to the ideology of republican France. The morality of the French Empire, along with her alliance with the British Empire are presented as the bulwarks against the brutal and savage Third Reich. Chapter III marks the entrance of the war into French territory during the Battle for France, and the final capitulation of France to Germany. This chapter focuses on the drastic shift in the propaganda as the colonies are first presented with the image of a strong, war-ready nation, and must then face the reality of a weakened, defeated government. It concludes by examining the divergent opinions held by citizens of the metropole and the colonial subjects in FWA. [From Introduction]