Jules Ferry On French Colonial Expansion Summary

Jules Ferry: On French Colonial Expansion (1884)
1 According to Ferry, what recent developments in world trade have made it urgent for France to have colonies? Jules Ferry states that France is in need of outlets to be able to export. He incorporates the fact that they do have major industries such as textile but that they are in urgent need of what he explains as outlets. He goes on by saying that Germany who is their neighbor have set up trade barriers and across the ocean the United States have become protectionist. All these barriers equal to the shrinking of great markets and making it difficult to access. In addition Ferry goes on to explain his concerns about freedom of trade and law of supply and demand and how it is linked to economic complications. Ferry
One point to take into consideration when it comes to a negative outlook of imperialism is the fact that the states need from one another. He argues in numerous occasions that neighboring states are being protectionist and forming trade barriers, which in the long run affects them. This is very much one sided because these neighboring states are able to dip into their market, but are not allowing them any form of help themselves. Ferry goes on to describe how when Spanish soldiers and explorers brought upon slavery into Central America that they did not fulfill their duty as the higher race. He continues by saying that the European nation will basically not incorporate the same aspect of that of the Spanish. The higher man has a duty to the lower man. He believes that the more fortunate individuals have the responsibility or obligation to help those who are less fortunate. He also goes on to say that they needed Tunisia, Saigon, Vietnam and Madagascar places of supply, shelters, ports for defense and provisioning. And as gratitude he goes on to say that they will not leave them due to the fact that they need from one