Colony Quote by Jules Ferry
![“I repeat that superior races have a right [to establish colonies], because they have a duty. They have the duty to civilize inferior races.” quote by Jules Ferry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c2/jules-ferry-65121_colony_i-repeat-that-superior-races-have-a-righ_559417.jpg)
“I repeat that superior races have a right [to establish colonies], because they have a duty. They have the duty to civilize inferior races.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: French Parliamentary Debate, 1885
He argues that colonizing powers have a moral duty to civilize other peoples, implying racial superiority.
In simple terms: Colonizers claim a duty to civilize others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the harm of such justifications.
Themes
colonialism
racism
civilization
power
duty
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- Historical policy debates
- education curricula
- museum exhibits
- public discourse
- political rhetoric
Key Concepts
Social Darwinism
imperialism
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does framing colonization as a duty affect modern perspectives?
- What alternatives exist to the concept of civilizing missions?
A Different Perspective
This view ignores the agency and humanity of colonized peoples.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
