Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
André and Julien Volden are two literary characters that were once known by virtuarly every French schoolboy, but are now mostly forgotten. A French reader tells us, "Glancing through the French page, I noticed that you omitted a book which is now very much out of date, but has been read by millions of French schoolboys at the turn of the 20th century. This book was titled, Le tour de France par deux enfants and was written by Georges Bruno. It was writen in 1877 and tells the story of André and Julien Volden, two brothers from the Lorraine region which had been annexed by Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). The heroes who surreptitiously leave Lorraine discover every French province, its history and main characteristics on their way to Provence in the South of France (in a very similar way to Nils Holgersson's on his trip round Sweden, but with a stronger patriotic theme). There were 7 million copies sold in France between 1877 and 1914. It is no longer popular, I guess, partly because of its didactic and moralizing tone." [Ariaux]
The defeat of Louis Napoleon by the Prussians in 1870 brought the Third Republic to power in 1871. One of the reforms they introduced were smocks forschoolboys, part of the new Republican ideal to reduce the influence of class and privlidge. The two northeastern provinces of France, Alsace-Loraine, were cededto Germany in the Treaty of Frankfurt. These were both border provinces and there were already large numbers of German-speakers in both provinces, especially Alsace. The population was, however, largely French orientened--even some of the German families. The loss to France was so heart-felt in France that it almost
made another war inevitable. One impact on boys' clothing was that when the Third Republic in 1871 mandated smocks in French schools, Alsace-Loraine were no longer part of France.
Much of these two northeastern provinces of France were ceded to Germany in the Treaty of Frankfurt as a result of the disastrous Franco-Prussian War in 1870-71. As a result, when the Third Republic in 1871 mandated smocks in French schools, Alsace-Lorraine were no longer part of France. These were both border provinces and there were already large numbers of German-speakers in both provinces, especially Alsace. During the German annexation the authorities were not brutal. There were none of the forced relocations that were so common in World War II. The principal German interest was economic. Alscase Lorraine is a heavily industrialized areas. (One reader compares the German occupation to the French occupation of the Saar after World War I. HBC is not sure this is a good companison as the Saar was occupied by France not incorprated into France. The French did not take over the local schools, for example, and change instruction into French.) The state schools in Alsace Loraine were taken over by German authorities and the language of instruction became German. Teachers were replaced. I do not know to what extent French language private and Catholic schools were allowed to operate if at all. The majority French population never accepted the
German annexation and continued to see themselves as French. This must have resulted in incidents at school. Presumably the teachers saw themselves as Germans and many if not most would have tried to instill German patriotism in the children. Some French families moved, but most of the French-speaking population remained. School smocks must have been much less common in these provinces than the rest of France, if they were worn at all. HBC does not at this time know just how the children dressed in the Alsace Lorraine schools.
The French were shocked with the loss of Alsace-Loraine. Frenchmen of all persuaions deeply resented the loss of what they considered an integral part of their country. This was reflected in both adult and childrens's literature. One example here is Le tour de France par deux enfants. The relentless anti-German themes helped prepare the French people for war. Government policy was aimed at reclaiming the provinces. Military expenditures were increased. The lesson learned from the War was never to fight the Germans alone again. Here the principal goal of French diplomacy was gaining the support of Russia and Britain. History for ample reason generally affords blame for World War I on Kaiser Wilhelm and Germany. A balanced assessment of the War, however, shows that other countries, especially France share considerable responsibility for the war.
André and Julien Volden are two literary characters that were once known by virtuarly every French schoolboy, but are now mostly forgotten. A French reader tells us, "Glancing through the French page, I noticed that you omitted a book which is now very much out of date, but has been read by millions of French schoolboys at the turn of the 20th century. This book was titled, Le tour de France par deux enfants and was written by Georges Bruno. It was writen in 1877 and tells the story of André and Julien Volden, two brothers from the Lorraine region which had been annexed by Germany at the end of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). The heroes who surreptitiously leave Lorraine discover every French province, its history and main characteristics on their way to Provence in the South of France (in a very similar way to Nils Holgersson's on his trip round Sweden, but with a stronger patriotic theme). There were 7 million copies sold in France between 1877 and 1914. It is no longer popular, I guess, partly because of its didactic and moralizing tone." [Ariaux] Of course the friedly relationship which has developed between Feance and Germany since the end of World war II is another factor, outdating the passions expressed in the book.
Ariaux, Bénédicte. E-mail message, June 17, 2003.
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