Theory question 108
Colonial AdministrationSection B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations
Highlight the factors that contributed to the failure of the policy of Assimilation in French West African colonies.
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Great cultural differences: Africans would not give up their religion (especially Islam), languages and customs.
Strong resistance from Muslim areas and traditional rulers.
Very few Africans met the conditions (French education, monogamy, French language) to become citizens.
Cost: educating and governing Africans as Frenchmen was too expensive.
Opposition in France: many French people would not accept Africans as equals or let them vote in French elections.
Contradiction with the harsh indigenat and forced labour imposed on subjects.
The large size and population of French West Africa.
Influence of British indirect rule, which seemed cheaper and worked better.
France changed to the policy of association.
Highlight each factor.