French Army and Its African Soldiers

The Years of Decolonization

By Ruth Ginio | Publisher: Nebraska

About the book

As part of France’s opposition to the independence of its former colonies in the years following World War II, its army remained deeply invested in preventing the decolonization of the territories comprising French West Africa (FWA). Even as late as the 1950s, the French Army clung to the hope that it was possible to retain FWA as a colony, believing that its relations with African soldiers could offer the perfect model for continued ties between France and its West African territories.
 
In The French Army and Its African Soldiers Ruth Ginio examines the French Army’s attempts to win the hearts and souls of the local population at a time of turbulence and uncertainty regarding future relations between the colonizer and colony. Through the prism of the army’s relationship with its African soldiers, Ginio considers how the army’s activities and political position during FWA’s decolonization laid the foundation for France’s continued active presence in some of these territories after independence. This project is the first thorough examination of the French Army’s involvement in West Africa before independence and provides the essential historical background to understanding France’s complex postcolonial military relations with its former territories in Africa.

 
 

Editions of French Army and Its African Soldiers

Hardcover
ISBN 9780803253391

Read an Excerpt

As part of France’s opposition to the independence of its former colonies in the years following World War II, its army remained deeply invested in preventing the decolonization of the territories comprising French West Africa (FWA). Even as late as the 1950s, the French Army clung to the hope that it was possible to retain FWA as a colony, believing that its relations with African soldiers could offer the perfect model for continued ties between France and its West African territories.
 
In The French Army and Its African Soldiers Ruth Ginio examines the French Army’s attempts to win the hearts and souls of the local population at a time of turbulence and uncertainty regarding future relations between the colonizer and colony. Through the prism of the army’s relationship with its African soldiers, Ginio considers how the army’s activities and political position during FWA’s decolonization laid the foundation for France’s continued active presence in some of these territories after independence. This project is the first thorough examination of the French Army’s involvement in West Africa before independence and provides the essential historical background to understanding France’s complex postcolonial military relations with its former territories in Africa.

 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is French Army and Its African Soldiers about?

As part of France’s opposition to the independence of its former colonies in the years following World War II, its army remained deeply invested in preventing the decolonization of the territories comprising French West Africa (FWA). Even as late as the 1950s, the French Army clung to the hope that it was possible to retain FWA as a colony, believing that its relations with African soldiers could offer the perfect model for continued ties between France and its West African territories.
 
In The French Army and Its African Soldiers Ruth Ginio examines the French Army’s attempts to win the hearts and souls of the local population at a time of turbulence and uncertainty regarding future relations between the colonizer and colony. Through the prism of the army’s relationship with its African soldiers, Ginio considers how the army’s activities and political position during FWA’s decolonization laid the foundation for France’s continued active presence in some of these territories after independence. This project is the first thorough examination of the French Army’s involvement in West Africa before independence and provides the essential historical background to understanding France’s complex postcolonial military relations with its former territories in Africa.

 
 

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in French Army and Its African Soldiers?

History and Archaeology > History > European history

Where can I read a sample of French Army and Its African Soldiers?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780803253391

Is French Army and Its African Soldiers part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series France Overseas: Studies in Empire and Decolonization

Who is/are the Author/s of the book French Army and Its African Soldiers?

Ruth Ginio

Who is the Publisher of the book French Army and Its African Soldiers?

Nebraska

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

French Army and Its African Soldiers is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780803253391)

Where can I buy French Army and Its African Soldiers online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy French Army and Its African Soldiers?