Jules Ferry's Argument Analysis

Prime Minister of France Jules Ferry is trying to convey his thoughts on colonial expansion to the French Chamber of Deputies in 1884. In doing so he demands they take immediate action at the economic, social, and political fronts in order for France to thrive into the future. He wants the members of Parliament to decide on their own as they can see for themselves what is needed for France’s further existence as a top industrialized nation. According to the text “Speech Before the French Chamber of Deputies, March 28, 1884” Jules Ferry informs the Chamber that in order for the French to survive in the present and future that these men have a duty to expand the colony. (Armand Colin & Cie., 1897) The reason they must press for colonial expansion is that the United States and Germany have set up trade barriers that do not allow for as many exports from France and other nations. The before mentioned countries are becoming protectionist nations. The United States, Germany and other nations are also exporting more of their own goods to France due to the desires of their
Ferry argues that when others have taken over a nation they do not do so as duty to civilization but as barbarians. But when the French occupy a nation they do so “with generosity, with grandeur and with sincerity of this superior civilizing duty.” (Armand Colin & Cie., 1897) Another argument proposed by Ferry is that the need to protect their peoples and to promote trade through naval warfare. Ferry states that “nations are great only through the activity they deploy.” (Armand Colin & Cie., 1897) Without the protection of the navy and their ships how will trade continue to far off lands? The change in naval warfare and the need to have harbors to protect and resupply ships is of a great necessity in Ferry’s