Which policy made the colonized French West African partners with France in her colonial project?
Answer Details
The policy that made the colonized French West African partners with France in her colonial project was the "Assimilation Policy".
During the colonial period, France pursued two main policies in its African colonies: the Assimilation Policy and the Association Policy. The Assimilation Policy was implemented in the French West African colonies and aimed at making the colonies an integral part of France. Under this policy, France sought to impose French culture, language, and values on the African population, with the ultimate goal of assimilating them into French society. The policy was intended to create a French-speaking African elite who would act as intermediaries between France and the rest of the population.
In contrast, the Association Policy was implemented in the French Equatorial African colonies and aimed to maintain a greater degree of separation between France and its colonies. This policy recognized the African populations' separate cultural identity and provided for more autonomy for the colonies.
The Assimilation Policy was implemented in the French West African colonies in 1916 with the introduction of the "Code de l'Indigénat" which established a dual legal system for French and African citizens. The policy was later formalized in 1946 with the "Loi Lamine Guèye", which granted French citizenship to all colonial subjects and allowed them to participate in French political life. This policy created a class of African citizens who were French in every respect except for their skin color.
In summary, the Assimilation Policy made the colonized French West African partners with France in her colonial project by attempting to make them a part of French society and culture, ultimately creating a class of African citizens who were French in every respect.