Race and War in France: Colonial Subjects in the French Army, 1914-1918 - Paperback
by Richard S. Fogarty (Author)
Winner, 2009 Best First Book Prize, Phi Alpha Theta
During the First World War, the French army deployed more than 500,000 colonial subjects to European battlefields. The struggle against a common enemy associated these soldiers with the French nation, but racial and cultural differences left them on the outside. This study investigates French conceptions of race and national identity at the time as reflected in the attitudes and policies directed toward these soldiers.
How far did French egalitarianism extend in welcoming and disciplining nonwhite troops? Using the experiences of African and Asian colonial soldiers, Richard S. Fogarty examines how tensions between racial prejudices and strong traditions of republican universalism and egalitarianism resulted in often contradictory and paradoxical policies. Employing a socially and culturally integrated approach to the history of warfare that connects military and political policies with the society and culture in which they developed, Fogarty presents a fresh picture of how the French came to deal with race relations, religious differences, and French identity itself.
Best First Book Prize, Phi Alpha Theta
During the First World War, the French army sent more than 500,000 colonial subjects to European battlefields. The struggle against a common enemy associated these soldiers with the French nation, but racial and cultural differences nonetheless left them on the outside. Employing a socially and culturally integrated approach to the history of warfare, Richard S. Fogarty presents a fresh picture of how the French addressed race relations, religious differences, and French identity itself.
This is a book about both the promise and the shortcomings of French republican ideals . . . A vivid portrait of the questions raised by the use of colonial troops in the war.--French History
Fogarty pays particular attention to the experience and opinions of the soldiers themselves. This is, in itself, a significant achievement.--Journal of Modern History
A well-written, carefully argued study that advances in significant ways our understanding of the important place of empire in the Great War . . . It is a sad but important tale that needed to be told, and Richard Fogarty has told it well.--French Politics, Culture & Society
This subtle and extraordinarily informative book explores the interaction of republican ideology and race . . . This is an elegant and well-argued study that deserves wide circulation, in the classroom and beyond.--American Historical Review
--Clifford Rosenberg "First World War Studies"Best First Book Prize, Phi Alpha Theta
During the First World War, the French army sent more than 500,000 colonial subjects to European battlefields. The struggle against a common enemy associated these soldiers with the French nation, but racial and cultural differences nonetheless left them on the outside. Employing a socially and culturally integrated approach to the history of warfare, Richard S. Fogarty presents a fresh picture of how the French addressed race relations, religious differences, and French identity itself.
"This is a book about both the promise and the shortcomings of French republican ideals . . . A vivid portrait of the questions raised by the use of colonial troops in the war."--French History
"Fogarty pays particular attention to the experience and opinions of the soldiers themselves. This is, in itself, a significant achievement."--Journal of Modern History
"A well-written, carefully argued study that advances in significant ways our understanding of the important place of empire in the Great War . . . It is a sad but important tale that needed to be told, and Richard Fogarty has told it well."--French Politics, Culture & Society
"This subtle and extraordinarily informative book explores the interaction of republican ideology and race . . . This is an elegant and well-argued study that deserves wide circulation, in the classroom and beyond."--American Historical Review
Richard S. Fogarty is an associate professor of history at the University at Albany, State University of New York.
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