2007, Vol.16, No.0

The Financial Crisis at the Beginning of the 18th Century System of Law

Yoon Eun Joo | 2007, 16(0) | pp.5~42 | number of Cited : 2

The History of the Department Store in France in the Middle of the Nineteenth Centuryase of the Bon Marche

Hyang-Lan Choi | 2007, 16(0) | pp.43~66 | number of Cited : 8

The Tenant Movement in Paris and the Claim for the Right 1880-1914

Min, You-ki | 2007, 16(0) | pp.67~98 | number of Cited : 3

French History Textbooks and the Reconstruction of War: ory of the Two World Wars and the Colonial Wars and Its Transmission

JAE-WON LEE | 2007, 16(0) | pp.99~130 | number of Cited : 8

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《The Science of Man》: Alexis Carrel and French Eugenics

Ji-Hyun PARK | 2007, 16(0) | pp.131~164 | number of Cited : 4

This study is to rethink French eugenics by using the works of Alexis Carrel. Carrel’s theory emphasize the synthesis of the humane studies and the naturel science for understanding a man as a unity composed of body and soul. It was very popular among the intellectuals as well as with the masses in the 1930’s. At the time, Carrels’s theory was nearly not looked as eugenics. But, after the First War, this theory was criticized as the Nazi -style eugenics; Carrel collaborated with the Vichy Government and founded the《Fondation française pour l’étude des problèmes humains》with the support of Philippe Pétain. As the Vichy Government was the puppet government of the Nazis. Alexis Carrel’s《Science of Man》theory was in turn lumped together with Nazi-style eugenics. Recently, Carrel’s theory is being revaluated by historians who insist on the positive element of French eugenics. According to them, it is not Nazi-style eugenics. Considering that the Vichy government was voluntarily founded by French collaborators, Alexis Carrel was ‘vichyste’ who didn’t follow the ideologies and the policies of the Nazis. And the《Science of Man》was a kind of French eugenics which always existed before the Second War. The French eugenics is neither a political ideology nor a political movement in contrast to others Europeans eugenics. It is a social and cultural programme implemented into daily life. Historians emphasize the positive element of French eugenics through the《Science of Man》 of Alexis Carrel. In order to demonstrate, we tried to examine two perspectives about the《Science of Man》. First, we showed the intellectual trends of 1930’s that French people accepted the ideas of eugenics with a great enthusiasm. Second, we examined the contents of the programme of the《Fondation française pour l’étude des problèmes humains》from 1941 to 1944. In his famous work, L’Homme, cet inconnu(Man, the Unknown), Alexis Carrel presents the essentials of eugenics of the《Science of Man》. This work was published in 1935, in the middle of the political crisis between socialism and fascism. This book had the purpose of persuading French people to establish an institution that could direct volunteer eugenics and other social programmes related to eugenics. In spite of this eugenics factor, it was a best seller in France. Since it rests on French philosophy, especially Henri Bergson, it was naturally accepted. It used Bergson’s view that criticised the rationalism ignoring the irrationality of man, that arises from problems associated with scientific progress without considering the humane spirit, and that defines the life by material and spiritual factors. This was probably why the eugenic ideas in the book, L’Homme, cet inconnu(Man, the Unknown) were popular for French people in the 1930’s. These eugenic ideas was realized in the social and cultural programme of the《Fondation française pour l’étude des problèmes humains》from 1941 to 1944. Specifically the Medicine of Labor became institutionalized under the Vichy government. The Medicine of Labor made an effort to avoid labor accidents and other work-related injuries by the spiritual counseling and physical examination. This programme helped to resolve the problems of the humanization of labor in the company. As it was very effective and appreciated by French people, after the Second War. This programme became the important social and cultural system throughout world. Through this point, it might be possible to insist on the positive perspective of French eugenics and to revaluate the ideas of Alexis Carrel. However, we should note the potential danger in this perspective. This shows that French people were always favorable about the eugenics ideas since the 1930’s. These ideas might give approval to conduct eugenics style policies to solve the immigration problem. After the First War, France became poplar for immigration. The immigrant problems in the 1930’s were in the middle of political conflicts. Then, the eugenic ideas of Alexis Carrel was favorable for French masses. Today, this situation has reappeared in France. France is becoming a flash point concerning immigrant problems. France has a serious conflict between French people and French immigrants in social and cultural dimensions. So it is necessary to keep a distance with the positive perspectives of the French eugenics and the revaluation of the Alexis Carrel’s《Science of Man》theory.

De Gaulle’s Foreign Policy toward the Unites States, 1958-1969

JiYoung Moon | 2007, 16(0) | pp.165~192 | number of Cited : 7

This article raises a question as to whether de Gaulle was an anti-american just as one thought with several cases of foreign competition particularly with the Unites States, for example, the development of nuclear weapons for the self-reliance of national defense, that is a core foreign policy toward the Unites States from 1958 to 1969, and the construction of ‘Europe of Europe’. Judging the realities of power carried more weight than logic or sentiment did in cross-border relations, de Gaulle emphasized the neutrality between the United States and the Soviet Union and the partnership between France and the United States, and pursued the national interests, ‘grandeur’ and ‘honor’ of France at all times. What is not to overlook for grasping the substance of de Gaulle’s foreign policy toward the United States is the fact that de Gaulle’s criticism and resistance to the United States has a strong strategic character to secure the independence of France and the autonomy of Europe not by denying but by weakening the american hegemony itself. Therefore, the characteristics of de Gaulle’s foreign policy toward the United States should be approached in the dimension of realism basing on utility instead of ideology, not in the dimension of complete disapproval (anti-americanism) or acceptance(pro-americanism) of american values. This article raises a question as to whether de Gaulle was an anti-american just as one thought with several cases of foreign competition particularly with the Unites States, for example, the development of nuclear weapons for the self-reliance of national defense, that is a core foreign policy toward the Unites States from 1958 to 1969, and the construction of ‘Europe of Europe’. Judging the realities of power carried more weight than logic or sentiment did in cross-border relations, de Gaulle emphasized the neutrality between the United States and the Soviet Union and the partnership between France and the United States, and pursued the national interests, ‘grandeur’ and ‘honor’ of France at all times. What is not to overlook for grasping the substance of de Gaulle’s foreign policy toward the United States is the fact that de Gaulle’s criticism and resistance to the United States has a strong strategic character to secure the independence of France and the autonomy of Europe not by denying but by weakening the american hegemony itself. Therefore, the characteristics of de Gaulle’s foreign policy toward the United States should be approached in the dimension of realism basing on utility instead of ideology, not in the dimension of complete disapproval (anti-americanism) or acceptance(pro-americanism) of american values.

Evaluating the negociation process for the restoration of Korean manuscripts stored at the French National Library (Bibliothèque Nationale de France: BNF)

Jung Sang-Chun | 2007, 16(0) | pp.193~224 | number of Cited : 7

The year 2006 is an important one for France and Korea as it marks the 120th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Over the years, the bilateral relationship has witnessed significant developments in every fields including politics, economy, and social and cultural affairs. Moreover, since the 1993 decision to introduce the French High-Speed Train (TGV) to Korea, it might be said that French-Korean relations have entered into a period of “high speed cooperation.” Against this amical background, there remains an important unresolved issue between the two countries: the restoration of the Oe-kyujanggak (Royal Library Branch) manuscripts stored at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. In 1886, Admiral Roze of the French Far East Navy, then based in China, invaded Kanghwa Island near Seoul, in retaliation for the persecution of Catholic missionaries of French nationality by the Korean Government and pillaged 340 volumes of Chosun royal protocols (rare official documents of the Chosun dynasty). In 1991, the issue of their restoration was raised by Seoul National University and has since become an important diplomatic issue between France and Korea. Because of the distinct difference in opinion between the two countries, it was believed that a solution for the restoration was not possible in the near future. According to the French argument, the Korean manuscripts have already become French cultural assets after more than a century of French possession and, according to French law, cultural assets are inalienable. Releasing them, therefore, would require special legislation. However, according to the Korean argument, because the Korean manuscripts were stolen forcefully by the French army, they could not become the object of acquisitive prescription permitted by international law; because the manuscripts are in a state of unlawful occupation, they should therefore be justly returned to the original possessor, which is Korea. In the meantime, during his state visit to Korea in 1993, President François Mitterand agreed with President KIM Young-sam to solve this problem through the principle of exchange and loan. At first sight, it looked like the problem would be solved without much difficulty. But, with different views on how to realize the exchange and loan principle, the two sides could not reach a final solution despite numerous negotiations between specialists and governments officials of France and Korea. It would be a significant milestone if the two countries find a way to resolve this problem by applying the principle of 1993, as agreed by the Presidents of the two countries. An equitable solution would contribute to the strengthening of bilateral relationship into the Global Partnership for the 21st Century, declared by President Jacques Chirac and President ROH Moo-hyun during their 2004 summit.

The Critical Examination of the Criticism of the Eurocentric Historiography - Centering Around Fernand Braudel

EungJong Kim | 2007, 16(0) | pp.225~254 | number of Cited : 14

The purpose of this article is to examine the criticism that A. G. Frank made of the Eurocentric historiography in his book Reorient. According to this sociologist, China has been the center of the World Economy since the bronze age until around the end of 18th century. During this long period, Europe has been a poor and isolated province. With the discovery of the New Continent and the massive influx of the silver, Europe could participate in the world market. It is undeniable that the american silver strengthened the european economy, and so reduced the Chinese hegemony. So far, the arguments of A. G. Frank have nothing special. But, we cannot follow him when he explains the decline of Chine in 19th century in terms of her proper “conjoncture”, considering it not to be the result of the european force but that of the cyclic up-and-down of the chinese economy. The unscientific concept of ‘conjoncture’ justifies his prejudice that China lost the world market because of herself, and, in consequence, that she will recuperate her lost hegemony. We criticized his opinion with the help of Fernand Braudel. This eminent historian is one of the best witnesses in our favor, because he himself is considered by A. G. Frank to be eurocentric, but from our viewpoint, is not. Europe began to mount a ladder of the world market by the 13th century when she formed, for the historien, a world-economy, a self sufficient and autonomous economic space, which permitted Europe to develop without major interruptions. With the american silver and the industrialization, Europe became dynamic and competitive. She did not take the vacant space left by China. It is that she took the world hegemony by her own long effort. In fact, the argument of Fernand Braudel is no other than the usual explication that has been criticized as eurocentric. Here, for our part, we examined with critical mind the anti-eurocentrisms such as A. G. Frank’s, which seemed to us to be too systematic and nationalistic. We are sure that the eurocentrism should be criticized and overcome. But what is more important for the historian is that it is to be realized not on the ideological plane but on the historical, that is ‘factual’ plane.

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Korean Review of French History 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 1.67

2007, Vol.16, No.0