Many people think of Paris as the City of Love and French as one of the most romantic languages in the world. Viewing France through rose-colored glasses, however, excludes the voices of people who have long been neglected by Eurocentric history. For example, in 2005, the French National Assembly passed a law stating that schools had to “recognize in particular the positive role of France’s presence overseas, notably in North Africa.” Although it was repealed a year later, this attempt to shape France’s (post)colonial legacy also demonstrates a refusal to acknowledge its devastating impacts in different countries. How did French colonialism affect these countries, and what was its aftermath for people who never benefited from the values of “liberty, equality, and fraternity” set forth by the national motto of France? In this course, we will examine the social, economic, and environmental ramifications of the French colonial empire and discuss questions of apologies, reparations, and restitutions.
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