Fascination and Misgivings
The United States in French Opinion, 1870–1914

This book shows the impact of American economic and societal models on French public opinion.

Jacques Portes (Author), Claude Fohlen (Preface by), Elborg Forster (Translated by)

9780521653237, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 October 2000

468 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.46 kg

'This is a splendid book …'. English Historical Review

Through the views of French travelers and diverse French studies about the United States, this book shows that the US took a pivotal place in French consciousness during the second half of the nineteenth century. The American landscape, skyscrapers, and the presence of Native and African Americans were puzzling and exotic to the French. At the same time, towns and industry were proof of an emerging economic power. Meanwhile, the French people found attractive models of social engineering in American society: schools and universities, the changing role of women, the emergence of the middle class. Even before World War I, the US found its place in French opinion, following trends that were to continue throughout the twentieth century: fascination and misgivings, attraction and repulsion.

Preface Claude Fohlen
Introduction
Part I. The United States as Exoticism: 1. The journey
2. At first sight
3. Western
4. Les Nègres
5. A 'manipulated and mechanized life'
Part II. Models from the United States: 6. A truly American democracy
7. A political life without grandeur
8. The new world of education
9. La Belle Américaine
10. From the Mormons to Americanism
11. Social hell or social harmony?
Part III. The United States as Power: 12. Immigration: strength or weakness?
13. Business
14. And now, imperialism
15. Is there a culture in the United States?
Conclusion
Selective bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], General & world history [HBG]