The French policy of Assimilation was an approach to colonialism that aimed at turning the colonies into extensions of France. It was based on the idea of "French civilization" being superior and the belief that Africans could be assimilated into French culture. The policy focused on education, with the goal of producing a class of Africans who would adopt French language, customs, and values, and see themselves as French. The ultimate aim was to turn African colonies into French départements, with full political and social integration into the French Republic. Unlike the British policy of Indirect Rule, the French policy of Assimilation sought to directly rule over the colonies. The policy was controversial and met with resistance, particularly in North and West Africa, but it did produce a small number of educated African elites who later played significant roles in African nationalism and independence movements.