Compare the features of the British system of... | WAEC SSCE - Government - 1993 (Essay)

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Compare the features of the British system of Indirect Rule with those of the French policy of Assimilation.

Answer

Comparison of British Indirect Rule and French Assimilation

Both were colonial policies of administration in West Africa, but they differed sharply in aim and method.

British Indirect Rule	French Assimilation
Governed the people through their own traditional rulers and native institutions.	Governed directly through French officials, replacing traditional rulers with appointed French agents.
Preserved native laws, customs and institutions.	Aimed at destroying native customs and making Africans into black Frenchmen with French culture and language.
Africans remained British subjects, not British citizens.	Assimilated Africans (in the Four Communes) could become French citizens with the same rights as Frenchmen.
Decentralised: regions and native authorities enjoyed some local autonomy.	Highly centralised: policy was directed from Paris and the colonies were treated as overseas parts of France.
Cheaper to run, using few British officials.	More expensive and required many French officials.
Retained the traditional rulers' authority and prestige.	Reduced the traditional rulers to mere agents or removed them entirely.

Similarities: Both were designed to serve the interests of the colonial power, both exploited the colonies economically, and both ultimately kept political control in the hands of the Europeans. Assimilation later proved too costly and was modified into the policy of Association.

Read lesson note on Colonial Administration (WAEC)

Read lesson note on Pre-colonial Political System Of Candidates’ Respective Countries (WAEC)

Answer Details

Comparison of British Indirect Rule and French Assimilation

Both were colonial policies of administration in West Africa, but they differed sharply in aim and method.

British Indirect Rule	French Assimilation
Governed the people through their own traditional rulers and native institutions.	Governed directly through French officials, replacing traditional rulers with appointed French agents.
Preserved native laws, customs and institutions.	Aimed at destroying native customs and making Africans into black Frenchmen with French culture and language.
Africans remained British subjects, not British citizens.	Assimilated Africans (in the Four Communes) could become French citizens with the same rights as Frenchmen.
Decentralised: regions and native authorities enjoyed some local autonomy.	Highly centralised: policy was directed from Paris and the colonies were treated as overseas parts of France.
Cheaper to run, using few British officials.	More expensive and required many French officials.
Retained the traditional rulers' authority and prestige.	Reduced the traditional rulers to mere agents or removed them entirely.

Read lesson note on Colonial Administration (WAEC)

Read lesson note on Pre-colonial Political System Of Candidates’ Respective Countries (WAEC)

Colonial Administration

Pre-colonial Political System Of Candidates’ Respective Countries

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Compare the features of the British system of Indirect Rule with those of the French policy of Assimilation.

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