World History

Notes 04-03-09

Fanon:
Strong emphasis on psychology of the people
Impressive case studiesdozens of example from all around the third world
Analyzes culture, economics, wide variety of groups and politics

Argument for violence:
Colonization IS violent, fundamentally. The colonizers were violent first, it is the only thing you have showed us. You
cannot accuse of us being violent in our efforts to win the freedom you violently took from us
Violence is contagiousinevitablethe colonized constantly aggressive, even toward each otherthis explains native
vs. native violenceit is partly the fault of the colonizers
Violence is, in a sense, humanizingbrings people together in a common cause
Violence is cleansingleads to self-confidence in capability of the people
Violence hoists the people up to the level of the leader.
Argument that religion often used as a pacifying toolcounterproductive to the well-being of the nation
Radical argument: not enough for you to get out, but you must turn around and invest your capital in our societyyou
owe us because your prosperity was based the exploitation of our resources, our land, and our laboryou owe us more
than just independenceclean slate not an option










Spontenaity:
Groups of people: urban proletariatactually associates them with the bourgeoisie, distinguishing them from the rural
masses, nationalist parties, elites/intellectuals, labor unions, lumpenproletariat
It is the strategy of the colonizers to woo as many of these groups as possiblethe intellectuals, nationalist,
bourgeoisie, and even the urban proletariat (town dwellers)to divide the movement, prevent establishment of a
unified revolution

Nationalist partiesparty for the elites, deeply influenced by the West, often want the colonizer out just because they
want power, out of touch with the rural masses, no solid domestic agenda for reconstruction
Also a pacifying forcedangerously moderategives the natives the illusion that they have a say
ambiguous interestsnationalist party wants the French out (but gives no specific program), but also to maintain a
comfortable relationship with colonizing powers

Bourgeoisielooking to protect their socio-economic standing or climbing the socio-economic ladder; not interested
with the masses; dont want things to change because they work well within the current system, thus cannot be pressed
to fight for revolution
Labor unions can play an important role because they have the experience of the masses, have a better chance of
understanding and leading the people
Intellectuals can play a role, but are often uselessbenefit most from the current system, but if they stay true to the
cause they can be very influential

This is all a class-based analysis. Socio-economic status. Marxist!
There is a logic to this argumentsupported by masses of people
Caviat! Does not want to create a European-style socialist state. Wants a distinctly Algerian system. Though broadly
Marxist, it is not merely a mouthing of Western ideas
Definitely straying from Marxisms focus on the industrialized massestends to lump the urban proletariat with the
bourgeoisie






Pitfalls of National Consciousness:
Addresses the futuretalks about what needs to happen in a post-colonial world
Talks a lot about the bourgeoisiethey are focused on grabbing the power, jobs, positions left by the colonizers, going
to institute their own hierarchy of power, continue to look for Western models
Dont understand the economy, things dont work outend up supporting dictators and authoritarian governments
Bourgeioise worthless, but theres room for a few intellectuals to lead the movement and national progress
Emphasis on cultural reconstructiongoes past Marx.