"Spreading light...without taking part in the affairs of the world...seeing as a trap...all expantion into Africa or the Orient-for a great nation to live this way, believe me, is...in less time than you may think, to sink from the first rank to the third and fourth."

-Jules Francois Camille Ferry, speech to the French
Chamber of Deputies, March 28, 1884

QUESTION-What activity is Ferry referring to when he speaks of "spreading light" into the world?

I believe he was talking about the Enlightenment. Please explain why my answer is right or wrong.

Thanks!

1 answer

In the speech he states that they are spreading civilization to the uncivilized.

"In a speech before the Chamber of Deputies on 28 July 1885, he declared that 'the superior races have a right because they have a duty: it is their duty to civilize the inferior races.'"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jules_Ferry