History of Europe

What was a difference between British and French approaches to colonialism-apex?

One key difference between the British and French approaches to colonialism-apex involved their respective methods of colonial administration. The British generally favored indirect rule, where they maintained the existing traditional political structures by co-opting local rulers through treaties or agreements. This approach often involved ruling through local intermediaries, like traditional elites or native chiefs, to preserve social stability and reduce costs of governance.

On the other hand, the French typically applied a more centralized form of administration termed 'assimilation.' Under this system, the French aimed to impose their language, culture, and political values on the colonies with the idea of molding them into an integral part of France or 'Greater France.' The goal was to transform the colony into a miniature replica of mainland France by eliminating native customs and instituting French administrative structures, legal systems, and education.