Theory question 106
Colonial AdministrationSection B (answer two questions only from this section)
Explain the French policies of Assimilation and Association.
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Assimilation: aimed to make Africans into Frenchmen in culture, language, religion and law.
Assimilated Africans (évolués) became French citizens, could vote and send deputies to the French parliament (e.g. the Four Communes of Senegal).
French language and education were used; African culture was looked down on; direct rule through French officials.
It was abandoned because it was costly, Africans resisted it, only a few qualified, and the French feared being outnumbered by African citizens.
Association (adopted from about 1905): Africans were allowed to keep their culture but were ruled for French economic interest.
Colonies were administered as part of French West Africa under a Governor-General in Dakar; chiefs were mere agents of French officials.
Features included forced labour and the indigénat (summary punishment of 'subjects').
Treat each policy separately and say why one replaced the other.