Assignment: In Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong, read the chapters assigned below. Write a response, following the Reader Response Guidelines (above). React to and comment upon your at least 2 of your classmates responses. In your response, please ALSO include a response to the article by Elmhurst French minor, Emily Winkler: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/foreign-language-helped-anxiety?ref=fb
Chapter 7: How is the policy of assimilation related to France’s experience in World War II?
David Gibson October 19,2016
ReplyDeleteReader Response7
The assimilation policy relates to Frances experience of War World 2.War World 2 had broken up France on two sides. The French had some fighting against Germany and some on Germany side. The assimilation policy gave France a new type of freedom among its people.They no longer had to be identified by their religion or ethnicity. The government could no longer take account of them that way. They have more togetherness with the policy. The War did do a lot of damage industrially and lot of lives were lost.Assimilation could not cover all the trouble the war did. Assimilation gave the policy that the children born in France were not all French.The French would no longer had to be accounted by their religion skin color or ethnic origin. Assimilation was a melting pot but had some mistakes in Algeria. It could not end all racism. The War trouble Germany left a bad toll on Jews and French.Some french was not against the Germans and was called anti semitic french.Their were not many but notice. The French experience in the war hurt their nation economy,socially,politically. Assimilation gave the country a new look and self pride. The country is more unified after assimilation.The experience of War World 2 rebuilt their nation internally and externally.Question if whether or not the Assimilation Policy relates to the experience of War World 2? The answer is yes because of the experience of War World 2 the assimilation policy was birth to the French.
After assimilation, I agree that the country was more unified. I like how you answered the question.
DeleteAfter reading your response, I understand a lot more what assimilation is and the impact it had on France. Like you said, yes it didn't end racism in France but it accepted a lot more people.
DeleteTo be honest, prejudice may never end..Because in our society, it's become so easy to place people into groups and categorize them as such. It's easy to confirm bias, but difficult to create new ideas based upon actual learning.
DeleteChapter 7 reflects on the time of war in France, the author draws light onto the social, political, and ethical factors that made their people out to be not hero’s but not villains either. The beginning of it all started when the French lost their land to Germany mainly due to a lack of proper equipment. The Germans split France into four territories but left one free zone to the French. One appointed leader by the name of Phillips Petain, a military hero, believed France lost because of too much socialism and democracy and less authority. During this time an underbelly Resistance sprouted against the Germans and one leader by the name of Jean-Marie Bressand, fought the crusade for France and collecting valuable intel at the Casino Theater form German Nazi’s. These hero’s aside history shows the atrocity’s at the time we also made by French hands. The Vichy government in the 1940s had already defined Jewish status and made attacks several Jewish civil rights. In perspective, France was had the lowest death toll of Jews compared to other countries. Yet damage had still been done, because the Vichy government and the Germans argumenta over the goods and income left over from Jewish homes and families. Looking at the people of France as a whole, it’s hard to paint a black and white picture because to claim they wither resisted German occupation or allowed and assisted with it, adds up to an understatement. Charles De Gaulle went into power after the war and his goal was to amend bonds and cure racial tensions among his people who were forced to divided in such a savage way against each other. So he and a new generation of leaders raised a principle of assimilation in order to unify the ideal of the French Republic. The government would keep no record of people’s religion and the melting pot of their citizens would only be identified as French. It’s a value that among their people that they hold today.
ReplyDeleteDavid Gibson
DeleteI agree I think it is hard to paint a real picture of France of this time. I believe they were two-sided ;one for Germans the other for France. France effort gave them unification and togetherness.
In the aftermath of this event, while the motivations may have been varied, its undeniable that a change was formed. While up for interpretation, I felt France was better for it. Brandon A.
Deleteactually, i have to disagree that they were better for it because in the end they become as a country more prejudice to foreigners and have the notion that all had to be french regardless of the pride you had for your country.
DeleteRebecca brings up a good point but if you compare the sets of French who betrayed their own people it's still easy to bring up tensions in modern society. Take the racial tensions in america for instance. The overarching cause of anger comes from the fact that white people used to own black people. Sure slavery has been abolished now but our society is still healing from it. Just as the French Jews are among the other French.
DeleteFor the chapter, I was very confused at how the storyline connected to their assimilation. But, what I got from it was that during the war, France was terribly split up and the country was a wreck. When it all ended and they came back as a whole, France’s new policies definitely gave them a new freedom. The government had no say in what they could do and who they were. After the war they also, were not afraid to face their past, and mention what they did. They were not ashamed of the actions that they took or of the reputation they held, which I believe is quite interesting. This is shown through their structures because they are created to avoid repetition of the history. They build these structures to remind them of what had happened due to previous decisions or points of view.
ReplyDeleteThe article was very interesting and I felt like I connected to it so much, regardless of the fact that I do not have anxiety. The part that I connected to was how she mentioned that speaking in front of a class in a language you are not fluent in is very hard. I am a fluent spanish speaker and although I have not had to present in front of a group of people, I do have to speak to a small group at work. My spanish is great to hold conversations but, I lack proficiency in translating certain words over. So, when put on the spot my mind goes blank and I feel like I have to go through a whole stack of words in my brain to find the right one, and do it in a short amount of time. It is difficult at times but learning a new language feels amazing.
The article brought to me an understanding that in life our fears can consume use and the cure for that is to get face it head on. Like the article stated in French you have to be social, interact with people, and not retreat into the background. That describes the fears of most people who deal with anxiety. Having break these habits you become better as a person who sees life as less awkward and therefore more inviting. You applies these values to your career, it makes it you all the more successful in life.
DeleteI agree with you when we had to connect assimilation with France in WWII. I actually had to look assimilation up because I had no clue what it was. For the article, I also get super nervous talking in front of the class. When you add a foreign language to that, it makes it all the more hard.
DeleteI found myself a little confused during the reading also! But, I think you did a good job of connecting the assimilation.
DeleteAssimilation is the big connector in a lot of these comments. Cultural assimilation is big! The years of German invasion, and death by their hands really does something to the nation. But it's all about adapting to the after math.
DeleteRachel M. D'Andrea
ReplyDeleteFrance’s experience in World War II was tumultuous. Initially, France was trying to avoid getting involved in another European war and the casualties that would result. It was not until the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany joined forces that France would make a move. Although France declared war, they remained essentially inactive. They were not inclined to confront the situation. In May 1940, the Germans launched “the most brilliant military campaign of all history” in which the French would experience mass causalities due to “poor coordination of their arms and poor use of modern technology” (86). After these loses, the French would ultimately sign an armistice with Germany leading to an occupation of 60% of French land. Although the French remained in control of the remaining 40% of their land, the government that would assume control proved to be more like an extension of German control than a unified French resistance. In the text, the authors introduce a series of short stories called Passe-Muraille. Written by Marcel Aymé and published in 1943, these stories emulate much of the French population’s mood during the war. The French felt frustrated being prisoners in their own country and not knowing when the war would ever end. They also tackled with the heinous discrimination of the Jews. While many may have believed that it was only the German government partaking in these awful activities, it has been proven that the French were active participants in the deportation and extermination of French Jews. After the turmoil of the war passed and France was beginning to rebuild and recuperate, General Charles de Gaulle set out to “renew France socially, politically, and economically” (99). With this renewal came the principle of assimilation: “French citizens would no longer be said to have religion, a skin color, or even an ethnic origin” (99). The idea was that all with French citizenship are, above all else, French. Assimilation was/is, first and foremost, an attempt at combating discrimination and, in essence, a measure to prevent the events of World War II from occurring again in the future.
Article Response:
As someone who suffers from anxiety, I can relate to some of the emotions described in this article. I have always had a desire to learn languages, but my anxiety has kept me from fully taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves. I decided to take French back up in college, after dropping it in high school due to stress, because I wanted to challenge myself while also doing something I enjoy and find myself to be halfway decent at doing. I feel a paralyzing fear when I think about having to speak in class, but in a way, this fear is constructive. As stated in the article, it is hard to learn a language if you cannot find the courage to speak. Taking a language course forces you to step outside of your comfort zone, confront your own anxiety, and take control. Although it is not even close to easy, learning a language is a constructive activity for learning how to accept mistakes and move forward without feeling like the world is crumbling down around you. I haven’t quite gotten there yet, but I can see how the challenge ahead will help me grow in both my language skills and dealing with my own anxious feelings.
Rachel really hit all the points that were right on point with what the text was concerning the french at that time.
DeleteSometimes it is after our falls where we learn the most and pick ourselves up. World War II has definitely had a huge impact on the way France is the way it is today.
Deleteaccording to Webster's dictionary assimilation is the process by which a person or person's acquire the social and physiological characteristics of group. in chapter 7 we learned about how the war affected the french on foreign policy,immigration, and discrimination and prejudice among the people. for example,' the french got more than they bargained for when pertain became in power"(87). to the point they showed to much socialism, democracy, and parliamentarian. his philosophy stated the french had weakened there country and society throughout the war. in 1944 though, france was ripped apart by a low-scale civil war between underground resistance fighters and the french militia; propped up by the Germans"(92). at this time there were two sides of french men, the ones that followed the westerns world thought; and the other's who followed the German Nazi way of handling things turning the war. "in reality, none of these labels were true. most people did a bit of everything; world war 1 unified the french; while world war 2 was forty million private wars"(93).
ReplyDeletehow i felt about the article, was that at least someone went through exactaclly what i am going through and atleast i know i have room for improvement even if i dont do so well in the course, i learned something new. number one thing that i have learned from the article is always ask for help because there is bound to be someone who is going through or went through what we have and i think it gives me relief that she is someone just like me.
I love how you explained what it is in the beginning. I agree with your statement about war in 1944 because it is true what you said about the French had weekend their country and society throughout the country and society throughout the war. I love your examples that you used, and your explanations.
DeleteAssimilation in french colonies was trying to get the Africans to adopt french language and culture to eventually become the French. This relates to France’s situation in WWII because of the great influence Germany had over France and their government. Germany had pressured France to follow up on their racist Nazi plans and continue it in their own country. France could have been like Denmark and ignored all of Germany’s request, but instead sent list of French jews to the Germans. They would though edit the lists of jews so the important and good jews would stay. French jew veterans were almost always removed from the list for the good work they did in WWI. This not only pressures the French to be more like the German’s but almost shows how much control the Germans have over the French which would lead to domination by Germans if the French kept letting this happen. -After reading the foreign language anxiety piece, I can relate to many of the things she’s saying. I do not have anxiety like her but for this being the first time ever taking French, I feel a little out of my comfort zone. Learning vocab is fine but when it comes to speaking out loud or holding conversations without having my notes in front of me, I struggle. I do believe though like she said, doing these things will open me up more and help me out with further things I do in life.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the speaking part more than anything! Once I think I have the pronunciation of a word down, I realize that I'm saying it wrong. I think you provided a good history of the war too!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading the article by Emily. I, too struggle with anxiety on an everyday basis and it has slowly become something that I can manage and have learned to conquer at times. For me, a foreign language has always been an escape. The opportunity to learn a new language takes me to a whole new world, for ten years that was a Spanish speaking world, and I have slowly started to explore the French speaking world. Emily is right, taking a foreign language is not a class that you can avoid participating in or study once a week. I thought the article brought a new light to a topic that many people shy away from.
ReplyDeleteFrance became involved in World War II after declaring war, while still remaining inactive.This involvement allowed them to avoid many confrontations at the time, until the Germans launched an attack to cause numerous casualties to the French people mainly due to lack of arms and modern technology (86). After an armistice was signed, the French lost over half of their land, ultimately causing them to assimilate with Africa in order to spread the language and culture into a different region. I believe that World War II gave birth to the assimilation policy in France.
I agree that anxiety is much easier to deal with when you're learning, especially when it comes to a topic such as language where it takes a huge effort to remain focused. It kind of distracts us away from our worries and gives us something productive to do.
DeleteI like what you said about foreign language being an escape- I had never thought of it that way but I like that perspective!
DeleteEmily’s article was very eye opening for me as someone who also struggles daily with anxiety I can understand exactly what’s she’s speaking to. When it comes to participating in class and studying on multiple days throughout the week, I strive to do exactly that not just to learn the material at an appropriate rate, but to also remain as focused as possible in and out of class. You see focusing and participating during class is actually a way to clear your mind of anxiety and a very effective tool to become as efficient as possible.
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, we learn of France’s history, specifically when it comes to their interaction with Nazi Germany and the civil war that resulted from the Nazi’s involvement with the French’s people. The word assimilation is defined by dictionary.com as “the process of adapting or adjusting to the culture of a group or nation, or the state of being so adapted.” Things such as their foreign policies and the ideals of the Nazi were assimilated into the French hierarchy resulting in the French civil war were the citizen that were being discriminated against versus the soldiers. The war was divide into two parts. The first being that the lower class, especially Jewish Frenchmen, were fighting against the physical oppression they felt against the upper class and the second being the ideological battle that ensued between the people and the country. If the rebels had not battled the way they did, the corrupt Nazi ideals that were assimilated into the French culture would have stayed that way and history would have been altered in a major way.
I agree with what you said about how focusing and participating helps lessen anxiety, it can help someone become more confident!
DeleteOn one hand I can see where you're going with this, and it was a good point to make. In what ways would you suggest someone whose unused to opening up to do this? Brandon Aspan
DeleteLauren Carr
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 7, it talks about the suffering World War II caused France to have during this time. On May 10th in 1940, Germany launched a brilliant military campaign of all history. Even though the French had one of the largest armies and good material, but the Franco-British effort suffered from poor coordination of their arms and poor use of technology. When it was clear to the French that they were about to lose, a tremendous wave of defeatism overwhelmed the political and military leaders of the country and some French leaders were ready to sign an armistice as early on May 20th . They signed an armistice with Germany on June 22, and after that, Germany splits the country into four zones. Germany sent less than thirty thousand troops to police France during the war. France, for its part, sent thousands of men to Germany to support the war effort as voluntary and forced labor. On page 92, it explains in 1944, France was ripped apart by a low-scaled civil war between underground resistance fighters and the French militia. By 1944, the economy was shrinking down by 80 percent. Later on, it talks about how France persecuted Jews on its own. Their new government did not really need much help from the Germans to strip Jews of all their rights. The Vichy government defined Jewish status, barring Jews from public offices and all state jobs, even teaching. There were people who were able to survived; also, the survival rates in Belgium and Holland were below 25 percent. France socially, politically and economically. The French citizens would no longer be said to have a religion, a skin color, or even an ethnic origin. I would want to get to know more about how they really treated the Jews during those times.
It is just astounding to me that people are capable of doing such things when they feel threatened. France was torn apart and turned upon itself during the war. Something that normally people of France would never do.
DeleteI agree it seems very unlike the but at the same time it did happen and is part of their history that can't be changed.
DeleteWhen France declared their involvement into World War II, the country originally decided to remain uninvolved with war efforts. This changed in 1940 when Germany launched a military campaign, forcing both France and Britain to combat them in an effort to save their own land (Nadeau and Barlow, 86). After this brutal conflict, the French and Germans signed an armistice, awarding Germany the northern parts of France, and awarding the Italians a portion of the land as well. This only left the French 40 percent of their original land. As a result of this armistice, the French were essentially forced to assimilate; it was in an effort to partake in the reconstruction of the nation. Nadeau and Barlow go on to describe anti-Semitic efforts of this new German regime, which subsequently exemplified how assimilation was a tactic used to figure out a way to treat the Jews, as well as to form a collective distinctiveness or character out of the newly created French regions.
ReplyDeleteEmily’s article was extremely relatable; many students admit to feeling high levels of anxiety throughout everyday life. The point she made about how learning a foreign language, in her case, French, helped alleviate her anxiety was extremely interesting. I had never thought of it that way; learning a new language always seemed like it would cause more anxiety because of its apparent difficulty and lack of any previous knowledge on the subject. However, Emily goes on to discuss how learning a new language constantly puts a person out of their comfort zone, and forces them to make mistakes so that they end up learning. She states that eventually, anxiety is lessened because constantly speaking in front of others helps a person become more comfortable with it. I thought that this was a great way to keep stress levels down.
Mathew Dumay
ReplyDeleteFrn 101
10/20/2016
RR 7
Within this reader response, we read how affected the French are with what happened during the Second World War. It was said that hundreds of thousands of French Jews were persecuted during the Second World War, instilling fear into the nation. Businesses were shut down, doctors were put out of practice, and employees went through a grueling amount of time without pay, working as slaves essentially. The chapter opens up with a seventeen year old martyr, named Guy, who was gunned down after a rebellion to the enemy. “The French fought savagely-130,000 died in six weeks, twice the number of American casualties during the battle of Normandy four years later” (Barlow, Nadeau p. 86). Now concerning the article that was read, it was very inspiring to read that by taking a foreign language, she was able to get over her anxiety. It was so touching to read that although taking this second language was actually an initiator of her stress, but because she loves language so much she pushed through it, and it’s actually done more good than bad for her. She was away from home, and in a place where she has no experience of going- all the reasons add up for this journey to be against her. Thankfully though, she pushed through and fought her mind to get to the goal at hand. This teaches me that no matter how a situation may look at the moment, push through until the end and reach for the prize.
Brandon Aspan
ReplyDeleteFrance’s cultural policy insists on assimilation, where no outside qualities infringe on a French citizens belonging. This policy was made to counteract actions during World War 2, which shook the foundations of France itself. What occurred during World War 2 left imprints on each country involved, and France keeps the events of it present ever since. To honor Guy Moquet, this was made; “Inside the glass case, photos and posters documented the short life of Guy, who was jailed for protesting against German occupation just months after France was defeated and signed an armistice with Germany. “(Barlow, Nadeau 85) The main claim that Barlow & Nadeau provide is the present disconnect in the actions that was present, for almost all authority during that time. To demonstrate this, they provided interviews with key actors involved, such as the informant Jean-Marie Bressand and Jean-Jacques Fraenkel, whose was related to the honored dental surgeon. This was meant with the point to show how the France’s state itself turned antagonistic as well.
Most other countries tried to rebel against Germany’s anti-Semitic laws, but France didn’t. Due to either being occupied then, or secretly collaborating, they aided with part of the deaths, with Roger Fraenkel being one of them. France’s current technology aided this, showing its ambiguous use. The stability within France’s state was greatly divided, between the collaborating Vichy section within occupied territory and the government itself at this time. While reading this section, the writing style of the authors seems suited to writing in historical contexts.
In regards to the foreign language article, I felt like it could be used as an inspiring message for some people. It could be helpful at one point, but for me I feel stuck on that front. But the underlying message she provides holds true, to keep persevering against all obstacles. Even expanding into learning a new language is okay.
Tim Kirby
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to me that right off the bat they started out saying that they were reminded of World War II everywhere they and every day they were in France. That is different than America where we know it happened but it isn’t a big part of our culture. The French army during World War II was not very well coordinated and France was losing against Germany and as Americans, what we consider as one of the bloodiest days, Normandy, the French battle on May 10th 1940, in those six weeks lost 130,000 soldiers. That is two times the number of soldiers than at Normandy. “The French actually had little fighting spirit left after their defeat in the battle of May 1940” (89). Along with that, “there is no doubt anymore that France persecuted Jews on its own” (93). After the war France was divided socially and needed to be uniform again. “One fact is rarely mentioned in the books on modern France: for better or for worse, France was the only German-occupied country that was allowed to clear up the mess of the war on its own” (98). As we have learned in previous chapters there is such an importance of French pride to the people. After the war General Charles de Gaulle set out to assimilate the country of France. He “set out after the war to renew France socially, politically, and economically. He said he wanted to restore France’s honor, independence, and rank among great nations” (99). This war was a way to show that France could never be destroyed and would make it a better place through all its hardships because it could overcome them. The policy of assimilation is a result of World War II and would be further altered due to the War of Algeria.
The article was very interesting to me because as a voice major I need to sing in different languages such as French, German, and Italian, along with English. I get nervous singing in front of people in English and it is much more difficult to connect with songs in different languages while performing. Thats why when she said speaking in front of a class in a different language is difficult I was able to connect with that in a way.
DeleteThe French have a history with many wars. World war two marked the start of many problems in France. The policy of assimilation is related to France’s experiences in world war two because of categorization like new French Jews and old French Jews meaning they had been integrated into the French culture and France as a whole for more than two generations. The French government and the Germans looked more favorably upon those who had been integrated into France over generations. Still though many French Jews were killed by the Germans and outed by the French government. Assimilating into the French culture as a Jew was very complicated and dangerous during world war two. This was because the French government was assisting the Germans in capturing and killing Jews. The events that occurred during world war two have partly shaped France and its society and culture, along with the war of Algeria. Most modern structures in France were created to avoid repeating history. World war two challenged France as a country, culture, and society. Because of corrupt leaders and dictators France as a whole has suffered tremendous loss of lives and dignity. Hopefully nothing like world war two ever happens again in France or anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteI think her perspective on managing anxiety is very refreshing because facing your anxiety actually does make things so much easier and manageable.it seems that she has come a long way since her first French 101 class and she should be very proud of herself for persevering and making it through.