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From colonial soldiers to contemporary migrants: Intergenerational remittances from historic military migration

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  • Bogatzki, Tamara

Abstract

During World War II, France conscripted tens of thousands of young men from Senegal and other West African colonies to fight as soldiers, deploying many to Europe. Using original survey data collected in Senegal and among West Africans living in Germany, I study whether exposure to ancestral military service abroad continues to affect migration intentions, plans, and behaviour today. Exploiting the exogenous selection into recruitment via universal conscription, cross-validated with historic local recruitment intensity, I show that descendants of conscripted soldiers exhibit significantly higher emigration aspirations, plans, and behaviour. Importantly, the effect does not operate through persistent gains in education or wealth, but through networks and the intergenerational transmission of values and moral narratives of colonial sacrifice. The results highlight that colonial military recruitment, an early, large-scale episode of enforced transcontinental migration, left a durable imprint on contemporary migration patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Bogatzki, Tamara, 2026. "From colonial soldiers to contemporary migrants: Intergenerational remittances from historic military migration," Discussion Papers, Research Unit: Migration, Integration, Transnationalization SP VI 2026-104, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wzbmit:344526
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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F54 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - Colonialism; Imperialism; Postcolonialism
    • N37 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Africa; Oceania

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