<I>26. - Type de Mulâtresse de la Martinique</I>

The colonial postcard, populat in the first two decades of the 20th century, came to represent both the technological triumphs of western photography - in printing and mass production - and the political triumphs of European conquest and expansion. These postcards also promoted tourism to the French Caribbean, painting the region as safe, favorable, and exotic travel destination. The title of this French colonial postcard “MARTINIQUE - Type de Mulâtresse” exemplifies the standard naming structure that categorized “exotic” native subjects in the form of ethnic and occupational “types.” The term "mulatta/mulatta" was used to describe the population who was considered mixed race, or of having both European and African ancestry. Due to the growing influence of scientism and social Darwinism, the French in Martinique attempted to classify the island’s population into a racial hierarchy. Those who were considered mixed race, of having both European and African heritage, were labeled as mulatta/mulatto. By the late 19th century and entering the 20th century, this population made up 1/3 of the inhabitants of Martinique. Though not meant to be interchangeable, this language of racial difference was often times used to describe class divisions as well.