Observation

This was also an unpopular question. Many candidates avoided this question, the few that attempted it performed woefully. Nevertheless, the candidates were expected to explain the following points in order to score good marks:

            (a)        (i)         Promotion of the French culture – Policy of Assimilation was adopted                                to promote French culture in the colonies.
(ii)        Territorial expansion – The French authorities wanted the extension of                                France to overseas;
(iii)       Economic expansion – The desire of France to expand economically.
(iv)       The belief that the French culture was superior.
(v)        The policy was based on the French doctrine of liberty, fraternity and                                 equality.

            (b)        (i)         French citizenship – Some Africans were granted French citizenship.
(ii)        African elite – It produced African elites call “evolue”.
(iii)       French culture – The French culture became popular in French West                                    Africa.
(iv)       Africans were elected into the French chamber of Deputies in Paris.
(v)        It raised the standard of living of assimilated Africans.
(vi)       It granted economic and political rights to the assimilated Africans.

                        (vii)      It promoted economic and infrastructural developments.