Within MGNE, Carole Goetz explored the dynamics between missions and governments in Togo and Alsace.

Carole Goetz, chercheur·e au sein de MGNE (Université de Strasbourg).

Thèse soutenue en 2025 à l'école doctorale École doctorale des Humanités (Strasbourg ; 2009-....).

Référencée dans le réseau ABES/STAR, cette thèse répond aux critères de rigueur de l'enseignement supérieur français.

Carole Goetz's thesis, titled "The Society of African Missions in Togo and the Province of Strasbourg (late 19th - early 20th century): Contributions to a Global Micro-History", offers an in-depth analysis of the interactions between missionary societies and colonial governments. By examining educational and linguistic policies, Goetz highlights how these missions shaped educational structures in two distinct geographical contexts, namely Togo in West Africa and the province of Strasbourg in France. This research is particularly relevant in the context of contemporary debates on colonial legacy and the impacts of missions on local societies, which continue to influence current social and cultural dynamics.

Missions, often perceived as vectors of evangelization, also played a key role in establishing educational systems. In Togo, missionary fathers contributed to the building of schools that, while serving colonial interests, have durably influenced local societies. These schools not only introduced Western knowledge but also altered traditional power structures. For example, the teaching of the French language and Christian values allowed certain individuals to access positions of power within the colony, while marginalizing indigenous knowledge and cultural practices. In Alsace, the missionary presence was also significant, with statistics showing that in 1930, 2,350 missionary fathers were active in France, a notable portion of whom were in Alsace. This figure illustrates the importance of the mission in the educational and social landscape of the time, where missions acted as intermediaries between local cultures and European norms.

However, this dynamic was not without tensions. The relationships between missions and colonial governments were often complex, oscillating between collaboration and conflict. Linguistic policies, for example, were shaped by these interactions, revealing the power issues at play. While promoting education, missions were also instrumentalized by colonial authorities to reinforce their control over local populations. This imposition of colonial languages, often to the detriment of local languages, had profound repercussions on the cultural and linguistic identity of the populations. The thesis emphasizes that these tensions had repercussions on local societies, influencing not only education but also the cultural and linguistic identity of populations, leading to a dilution of certain traditional practices in favor of imposed norms.

Goetz also calls for interdisciplinary research to better understand the cultural legacies of missions. Integrating these themes into educational programs could foster a better understanding of the historical impacts of missions. Indeed, the interactions between colonized and colonizing regions deserve critical examination to promote constructive dialogue on the consequences of missions on contemporary societies. For example, educational initiatives that include African perspectives on colonial history could help deconstruct dominant narratives and elevate marginalized voices.

This thesis thus contributes to a global micro-history, illuminating the complex relationships between Togo and Strasbourg. It paves the way for future research on the impacts of missions and their legacy in African and European societies, while raising essential questions about how these histories are told and integrated into our current educational systems. The implications of this research are vast, affecting not only historians but also educators, sociologists, and policymakers. Ultimately, understanding these historical dynamics is crucial for addressing contemporary challenges related to identity, culture, and education in an increasingly globalized world.

Sources et accès

Carole Goetz. La société des missions africaines au Togo et la province de Strasbourg (fin XIXème-début XXème siècle) : contributions à une micro-histoire globale. Linguistique. Université de Strasbourg, 2025. Français. ⟨NNT : 2025STRAC024⟩. ⟨tel-05638464⟩

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