L’historien Marc Bloch et la cité par Pap Ndiaye

Pap Ndiaye’s presentation offers a thoughtful and well-informed perspective on Marc Bloch’s stance on colonialism, a topic often overlooked in Bloch scholarship. He demonstrates deep familiarity with Bloch’s writings and the political landscape of the era, citing specific texts and petitions. The argument is nuanced, acknowledging the ambiguity of Bloch’s position within the left’s gradualist approach to empire. Ndiaye’s analysis is solid, though it relies on interpretation rather than new archival evidence. He appropriately notes the gaps in Bloch’s work regarding colonial matters, which is a valuable observation. The talk is more of an expert opinion than a systematic study, but it is rigorous in its use of sources and contextualization. The title accurately reflects the content, and the discussion is engaging. However, the talk could have benefited from a deeper exploration of Bloch’s personal experiences, such as his time in Algeria, and a more explicit connection to contemporary debates. Overall, it is a high-quality contribution to understanding Bloch’s civic engagement.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on Marc Bloch's role as a historian in society, with a specific emphasis on his colonial stance.

7/10

Pap Ndiaye, a renowned historian and ambassador, delivers a nuanced analysis of Marc Bloch's engagement with colonial issues. He cites specific texts and historical contexts, but the talk is an opinion piece rather than a systematic study, and some claims are based on personal interpretation.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction and thanks, context of the conference.
• 02:00Ndiaye states he is not a specialist but has long curiosity about Bloch.
• 04:00Discussion of Bloch's political engagement, including petitions and the Comité de vigilance.
• 07:00Focus on two texts defending the French colonial empire in 1939.
• 10:00Analysis of the left's positions on colonialism, including the Front Populaire's minimal attention.
• 13:00Mention of anticolonial intellectuals like Césaire and Senghor, and their isolation.
• 16:00Lexical search in 'L'Étrange Défaite' showing absence of colonial references.
• 18:00Bloch's military stay in Algeria and lack of intellectual impact.
• 20:00Concluding questions about Bloch's relation to non-European worlds and his identity.

• L'Étrange Défaite — Referenced as Bloch's major work, analyzed for lexical absence of colonial terms.
• Sauvegarde de la plus grande France — A letter open to Daladier in 1939, cited as an example of Bloch's colonial stance.
• Appel des universitaires français pour la défense de notre empire colonial — Another 1939 text co-signed by Bloch, mentioned in the talk.
• La France en face du problème colonial — A pamphlet by Paul Langevin, Paul Rivet, and Alain, cited to illustrate the left's gradualist position.

• Marc Bloch: A Life in History — Biography by Carole Fink, likely discusses Bloch's political engagements.

• The Strange Defeat