The French Policy of Association

Quick Summary

• Replaced the failed Policy of Assimilation in the 1920s
• Claimed to preserve African culture and customs instead of forcing French ways
• Used traditional rulers as collaborators in colonial administration
• Maintained French control through the indigène legal system
• In practice, still imposed French culture and denied rights to Africans

Why France Changed from Assimilation to Association

Before the 1920s, France used a policy called assimilation in its African colonies. Under assimilation, France tried to turn Africans into “black Frenchmen.” The French forced Africans to speak French, dress like Europeans, and abandon their own culture.

This policy failed for several reasons:

1. Too expensive: Building French schools, courts, and hospitals in every village cost too much money. France spent huge amounts but achieved little.

2. Africans resisted: Most Africans did not want to become French. They valued their own languages, religions, and ways of life. Forcing French culture caused rebellions and protests.

3. Very few succeeded: By 1937, only 80,000 out of 15 million people in French West Africa had become French citizens. Almost all of these (78,000) were from four special towns called communes. The policy clearly was not working.

4. World War I changed things: After World War I (1914-1918), France was exhausted and poor. The French government needed a cheaper way to control its colonies.

In the 1920s, France officially adopted the Policy of Association to replace assimilation.

Main Features of the Association Policy

1. Claimed to Respect African Culture

The new policy said that France would respect African traditions, customs, religions, and institutions. Unlike assimilation, which tried to destroy African culture, association claimed to work with it.

A French ethnologist (someone who studies different cultures) named Maurice Delafosse promoted this idea. He argued that African societies had their own value. He said France should guide Africans slowly instead of forcing sudden change.

2. Used Traditional Rulers

Under association, France divided colonies into thousands of small areas called cantons or districts. Each canton had a chief appointed by the French.

The French often chose chiefs who would obey orders, not chiefs who truly represented their people. If a traditional ruler refused to cooperate with France, he was removed and replaced with someone more obedient. These chiefs became collaborators in the colonial system.

3. Created the Indigène System

France created a legal system called indigène for Africans who were not French citizens. This system treated Africans very differently from French people and the few African citizens.

Under indigène, French officials could:

• Arrest and jail Africans without trial
• Force Africans to work 12 days per year without pay on government projects
• Impose heavy taxes
• Punish Africans for “disrespect” or “laziness”

Meanwhile, French citizens and the small number of assimilated Africans enjoyed full legal rights and protection.

4. Said It Was Partnership

The French claimed that association was a partnership between France and Africa. Both sides would benefit. France would get resources like rubber, cotton, and palm oil. Africans would get modern schools, hospitals, and technology.

In reality, France took far more than it gave. African colonies existed mainly to supply raw materials to French factories and buy French products.

How Association Worked in Practice

Many historians say that association was just assimilation with a new name. Despite claims of respecting African culture, French colonial officials continued to impose French ways.

The Horse and Rider Comparison

Scholars use a powerful comparison to explain association. They say it was like the “association” between a horse and its rider. Yes, the horse and rider work together. But the rider always decides where to go and how fast to move. The horse has no real say.

Similarly, France and its African colonies were “partners,” but France made all the important decisions. Africans had to follow orders.

How Association Treated Africans

Forced Labor

Although slavery was illegal, association forced Africans to work without pay. Every African man had to work 12 days per year on government projects like building roads or growing crops. In practice, this often became much more than 12 days.

French companies also used forced labor. If a village could not pay its taxes, men were forced to work on rubber plantations or in mines until the debt was paid.

Heavy Taxation

France imposed multiple taxes on Africans:

• Head tax (every adult paid)
• Hut tax (for each home)
• Market taxes
• Animal taxes (for cattle and goats)

These taxes were so high that many families struggled to pay. If you could not pay, French officials would take your property or force you to work.

Denial of Rights

Under association, most Africans had almost no rights:

• No freedom of speech (criticizing France could lead to jail)
• No African newspapers allowed until 1945
• No trade unions to protect workers
• No political parties to represent African interests
• No right to vote in French elections

France justified these restrictions by saying that Africans were not yet “ready” for such rights. Association was supposed to slowly prepare Africans for eventual citizenship, but this process could take centuries.

Differences Between Assimilation and Association

Effects on African Societies

Negative Effects

1. Weakened traditional institutions: By choosing obedient chiefs instead of real leaders, France destroyed respect for traditional authority. After independence, many African countries struggled to rebuild legitimate governance.

2. Created divisions: The few Africans who became French citizens looked down on other Africans. This created social divisions that lasted long after independence.

3. Economic exploitation: France took valuable resources (rubber, gold, timber, cotton) and gave little back. African colonies remained poor while France grew rich.

4. Cultural damage: Despite claims of respecting African culture, French education and law slowly replaced traditional ways. Many young Africans grew up confused about their identity.

5. Harsh treatment: Forced labor, heavy taxes, and denial of rights caused suffering for millions of people.

Some Positive Effects

It would be unfair to say association had no benefits at all:

1. Some infrastructure: France built railways, ports, and roads. However, these mainly served French business interests, not African needs.

2. Western education: Some Africans got French education and became doctors, teachers, and administrators. These educated Africans later led independence movements.

3. Legal systems: French law eventually replaced some harsh traditional practices, though the indigène system itself was very harsh.

End of Association

Association officially ended around 1945, after World War II. During the war, African soldiers fought for France. After the war, Africans demanded rights in return. France began allowing more political freedom, trade unions, and African newspapers.

By the 1960s, most French colonies in West Africa gained independence. However, the effects of both assimilation and association lasted long after. Former French colonies still use French language, French currency (CFA franc), and maintain close ties with France.

Common Exam Mistakes

WAEC examiners often complain that students:

• Say association was completely different from assimilation: They were similar in practice. Association just used different language and methods to achieve French control.
• List features without explaining: When asked to “explain” association, don’t just list features. Say what each feature meant in practice and how it affected Africans.
• Only mention positive aspects: Some students write only about how France built schools and roads. Examiners want you to discuss both the claimed benefits and the harsh reality.
• Confuse association with indirect rule: British indirect rule genuinely tried to govern through traditional rulers. French association used chiefs as French agents, not as real rulers.
• Can’t compare assimilation and association: Know the differences clearly. Many exam questions ask you to compare the two policies.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which policy did France use before association?
a) Indirect rule
b) Assimilation ✓
c) Direct rule
d) Divide and rule

2. Who promoted the idea of association?
a) Lord Lugard
b) Thomas Fowell Buxton
c) Maurice Delafosse ✓
d) William Ponty

3. Under the indigène system, how many days of unpaid labor were Africans forced to do?
a) 5 days
b) 12 days ✓
c) 30 days
d) 60 days

4. What comparison do scholars use to describe association?
a) Master and servant
b) Father and child
c) Horse and rider ✓
d) Teacher and student

Essay/Theory Questions

1. Explain five features of the French Policy of Association. (10 marks)

Examiner’s tip: Discuss use of traditional rulers, indigène system, claimed respect for culture, forced labor, and maintaining French control. For each feature, explain how it worked in practice.

2. Compare and contrast the French policies of Assimilation and Association. (15 marks)

Examiner’s tip: First explain each policy briefly (3 marks each). Then discuss similarities (both imposed French control, both exploited Africa, both denied most rights – 4 marks). Finally, discuss differences (goals, methods, cost, treatment of culture – 5 marks). Use the comparison table above as a guide.

3. Discuss four reasons why France changed from Assimilation to Association. (8 marks)

Examiner’s tip: Focus on failure of assimilation (only 80,000 citizens by 1937), high cost, African resistance, and World War I impact. Give specific details, not just general statements.

4. State five effects of the French Policy of Association on African societies. (5 marks)

Examiner’s tip: “State” means brief points. Include both negative (weakened traditional institutions, forced labor, economic exploitation) and positive effects (some infrastructure, Western education).

Memory Aids

Remember why assimilation failed with “CARE”:

• Cost too much money
• Africans resisted
• Rarely succeeded (only 80,000 out of 15 million)
• Exhaustion after World War I

Remember features of association with “CHIEF”:

• Collaborating traditional rulers used
• Horse and rider relationship (France controlled everything)
• Indigène legal system for Africans
• Exploitation continued
• Forced labor (12 days minimum)

Key dates to remember:

• 1920s: Association policy officially adopted
• 1937: Only 80,000 out of 15 million were French citizens (showing assimilation’s failure)
• 1945: Association ended; more rights given to Africans
• 1960s: French West African colonies gained independence

Related Topics

• French Policy of Assimilation
• British Indirect Rule
• Colonial Administration in West Africa
• Effects of Colonialism on African Societies
• Nationalism and Independence Movements in French West Africa