(a) Why was the Policy of Association introduced in French West Africa? (b) Describe the characteristics of the Policy.

Answer Details

(a) Why the Policy of Association was introduced in French West Africa

The Policy of Association was adopted by France after the First World War to replace the rigid Policy of Assimilation, which had proved costly and impracticable. The reasons for its introduction were as follows.

1. Assimilation had failed because it was too expensive to turn millions of Africans into French citizens.
2. The vast size and huge population of French West Africa made total assimilation unworkable.
3. There was growing resistance from Africans who wished to preserve their own culture, religion and institutions.
4. France came to recognise and respect certain useful African customs and traditional rulers.
5. It became necessary to reduce administrative cost by governing partly through existing local institutions.
6. The wide cultural gap between France and Africa made assimilation of the mass of the people impossible.

(b) Characteristics of the Policy of Association

1. Africans were to be associated with, rather than absorbed into, French culture and civilisation.
2. African customs, institutions and traditional rulers were partly recognised and used in administration.
3. The bulk of the population were treated as French subjects, not citizens, and were governed under the harsh indigenat code.
4. Only a small educated elite (the evolues) could aspire to French citizenship after meeting strict conditions.
5. Administration remained highly centralised under the Governor-General at Dakar.
6. Forced labour, direct taxation and conscription continued to be imposed on the subjects.
7. It was, in practice, closer to indirect elements yet still dominated by French officials, making it a modified form of direct rule.