Senegal Flashcards
Define the policy of Assimilation?
According to the Assimilation policy Africans had to?
Learn the French language
Practise the French legal system
Apply the French civil and political system
And convert to Christianity and learn French mannerisms
When did Assimilation start and end?
How did French govern Senegal?
The eight French colonies were grouped into the federation of French West Africa governed in one capital, Dakar, Senegal.
The federation was headed by a governor-general, answerable to the French minister for colonies in Paris.
Below him were lieutenant-governors in charge of the constituent colonies.
Each colony was divided into units called cerceles(provinces)
Outside the four communes, Africans were ruled through local chiefs. Chefs de province, Chefs de canton
Hierarchy of the French colonial administrative system
Minister for colonies (paris)
Governor-general (in charge of FWA federation, based in dakar)
Commandant de cercel (in charge of province)
Chefs de sub-division (in charge of district)
Chefs de canton (in charge of location)
Chefs de village (in charge of sub-location)
Functions of the local chiefs
Keeping a register of taxpayers in the canton
Helping the gvnt in the conscription of Africans into the army
Assisting the the gvnt in the mobilisation of forced labour among Africans.
Duties of the Chiefs de village
Maintenance of law and order
Organising relief
Maintenance of roads in their areas
Explain the four main characteristics of Assimilation
Administrative Assimilation- for the purpose of administration, the colonies were regarded as overseas provinces
Political administration- the colonies were represented in the French chamber of deputies (lower horse of the French parliament)
Economic Assimilation- the French currency was used in the colonies to enhance that economic relationship
Personal Assimilation- Africans were given French citizenship and other privileges enjoyed by French citizens.
State reasons for Assimilation in Senegal
The presence of a high percentage of mullatoes made it easy for the French gvnt to apply the policy
Africans in the Quarter communes were familiar with the French due to their long period of interaction
A high percentage of the population in the Quarter communes had been converted to Christianity
Africans outside the QC could apply for French citizenship only if they?
Were able to read and write
Had knowledge of the French language
Showed total loyalty to the French gvnt
Had worked for a no. of years
Why did the policy of Assimilation fail
Some communities refuse to abandon their cultures
Fear of economic rivalry from the assimilated Africans
Assimilation proved to be too expensive
Resistance from the traditional African rulers
Muslims Resistance to Christianity conversion
Opposition from the French out of fear of being outnumbered in the chamber
Racial discrimination among frenchmen
What were the consequences of Assimilation in Senegal
The policy undermined african cultures
The authority of traditional African rulers was eroded
The Africans were allowed to participate in the political matters of France
The spread of Islam was greatly frustrated , Africans were prceed to conversation to Christianity
Division between the assimiles and rest of the African communities
