Inventing Greater France: A New Imperial History

Inventing Greater France examines French colonial practices and policies between World War I and World War II. The book focuses on how France attempted to modernize and integrate its colonial territories during this pivotal period. Through analysis of administrative documents, political debates, and cultural artifacts, Wilder traces the evolution of French imperial strategy and governance. The text explores specific colonial development projects and reforms implemented across French West Africa. The research centers on how French authorities sought to transform colonial subjects into productive citizens while maintaining racial hierarchies and control. Key topics include labor policies, education initiatives, urban planning, and political representation in the colonies. The work presents colonialism as a complex process that shaped both metropole and colony, revealing tensions between republican ideals and imperial realities. This study contributes to understanding how modern state power operated through colonial administration and reform projects.

This academic text attracts interest from scholars focused on French colonialism and postcolonial studies. Readers say it delivers strong analysis of how French leaders managed colonial territories between WWI and WWII. Readers appreciate: - Clear connections between colonial policy and French national identity - Documentation of administrative structures and bureaucratic systems - Analysis of interactions between French officials and colonial subjects Common criticisms: - Dense academic language limits accessibility - Some sections become repetitive - Greater focus on theory than real-world examples Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (5 ratings) Amazon: No reviews available Academia.edu: Frequently downloaded and cited in scholarly works One doctoral student reviewer noted: "Wilder carefully unpacks how colonial bureaucrats saw their mission of spreading French civilization, though the theoretical framework can be hard to follow at times." Limited review data exists as this is a specialized academic text rather than a mainstream book.

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🌍 The book explores how French colonial officials in the 1920s-1930s attempted to transform the French Empire into "Greater France" by reimagining colonies as integral parts of the French nation. 🎓 Author Gary Wilder is a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and has dedicated much of his academic career to studying French colonialism and decolonization movements. 🗝️ The term "Greater France" (La Plus Grande France) was first popularized during World War I when colonial troops fought alongside French forces, leading to new discussions about the relationship between France and its colonies. 📚 The book challenges traditional colonial histories by examining how modernist ideas and reforms in areas like urban planning, education, and healthcare were tested in colonies before being implemented in metropolitan France. 🏛️ The concept of "Greater France" had lasting impacts on French citizenship laws, as seen in the complex status of people from former colonies like Algeria, who held various forms of French citizenship until independence in 1962.