What were the features of the French colonial administration in West Africa?
Explanation
Features of the French Colonial Administration in West Africa are:
(i) The headquarters of the French colonial administration was based in Dakar, Senegal. All the colonies were administered from Dakar, making the federation highly centralised.
(ii) Direct rule was the system of administration adopted by the French.
(iii) Forced labour wa one of the features of French colonial administration.
(iv) France made use of French officials. Only few Africans were used in the administration.
(v) Indignant policy was adopted in the system which provides that Africans can be detained for two years without trial.
(vi) There was no freedom of association of the press and opinions of the people were repressed.
(vii) The policy of assimilation was adopted and it was meant to substitute the African culture with the French culture.
(viii) Africans under French rule were grouped into two – citizens and the subjects. It was a policy of divide and rule, preferring one to the other.
(ix) Education was restricted to few Africans – the citizens. The majority of the people were denied basic education. (x) African elites were.treated fairly within the system.
(xi) The French administration stood against the formation of political parties and this was one of the reasons why nationalism was delayed in French colonies.
(xii) Law-making for the colonies was highly centralised. The parliament in Paris, France made laws for the colonies.
(xiii) Recognition was not given to traditional institutions.