Stepchildren of the state: educating enfants de troupe in the French army, 1800-1845.

Abstract

Throughout the 19th century, the French army supported and educated the sons of common soldiers known as “enfants de troupe”. The army's chief objectives were to tap this manpower pool for its own uses and to boost army morale by showing that it cared for the families of its defenders. However, during the period 1830‐1845, many officers became increasingly concerned with caring for the children's well‐being, and with providing them with an education beyond practical military training. This concern paralleled similar civilian movements to limit child labor and institute universal primary education, yet the differing cultures and needs of the army and of civilian societies resulted in different approaches to education. Ultimately, the army chose to embrace mutual education with a heavy emphasis on practical training in administrative duties. While officers placed increased emphasis on academic training and on the physical well‐being of the children, the army continued to exploit “enfants de troupe” as “child labor.”