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Mission civilisatrice

Definition

Mission civilisatrice (French for 'civilizing mission') was a rationale for intervention or colonization, originating from France's claim that it had a great duty to bring civilization to supposedly backward societies.

Analogy

Imagine an older sibling who believes their younger sibling doesn't know how to dress properly. So, without asking, they go into their closet and replace all their clothes with what they think is more fashionable attire.

Related terms

Colonialism (French): French colonialism refers specifically to areas under French political control from 16th century until 1960s. It's related because "mission civilisatrice" was primarily associated with French colonial rule.

Francophonie: The community of French-speaking nations and regions around the world. It's related because "mission civilisatrice" often involved spreading French language and culture.

Indirect rule: A system of governance used by the British and French to control parts of their colonial empires, particularly in Africa and Asia, through pre-existing local power structures. These dependencies were often called "protectorates" or "trucial states". This term is related because it was a method used alongside "mission civilisatrice."