French Colonial History
On August 26, 1789, the French National Assembly voted to adopt the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.” Its first article began, “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” Yet if the French can be thought the authors of the modern notion of human rights, French practice was more ambiguous than this optimistic document affirmed. In this course, we will look at the way in which the lofty principles of universal human rights collided with France’s colonial ambitions. Topics we will address will include: debates over slavery during the French Revolution; the Haitian Revolution; the challenge to liberal principles posed by French colonial ambitions; the place of race in French culture and in citizenship debates in France; and decolonization.
Department: R.D. Clark Honors College
University: University of Oregon
Years offered: 2002-2003
- HC415H – 2002-2003 Spring – Syllabus – Lambelet