Governor-General Paul Doumer and the Indochinese Railway

Abstract

After military campaigns ended in the late 1890s, the French colonial government started to implement the policy of intensive and large-scale exploitation, firstly in Vietnam and then in over Indochina. As soon as he arrived in Indochina, Paul Doumer, Governnor-General of Indochina. As soon as he arrived in Indochina, Paul Doumer, Governor-General of Indochina (1896-1902), implemented a series of policies on different fields. These policies provided favorable conditions for the foundation of new economic development as well as the development of transportation system to facilitate the transport of cargoes and passengers throughout Indochina. In this transportation system, it is remarkable to mention the overland lines, especially the Indochina's railway system, built in 1901 and completed in 1936. The aim of this article is to introduce the documents and sources relating to the establishment of the Indochinese railway system.