MIND BLOWING QUESTIONS: HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT ABOUT SENEGAL

MIND BLOWING QUESTIONS: HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT ABOUT SENEGAL ​

1.

Describe the factors which facilitated the application of the French policy of assimilation in the four communes in Senegal.(3mks)

• A high percentage of the Mullatoes in the population of the communes who appreciated the European culture, made it easy for the French to apply their policy of assimilation.
• The people in the four communes had long interaction with the French trades, administrators and missionaries and this enabled them to appreciate European culture.
• A high percentage of the inhabitants of the four communes had been converted to Christianity and this made it possible for the French to apply their policy.

2.

Discuss the effects of the French policy of assimilation in Senegal (12 mks)

• The application of the assimilation policy lead to the promotion of French culture in Senegal
• The policy of assimilation undermined African culture as many adopted French culture.
• It undermined the authority of the traditional rulers as they were replaced by the assimilated Africans
• Senegal was incorporated into French Republic and regarded as an overseas province of France.
• Africans from Senegal were allowed to participate in the political affairs of France. Some of them became Deputies and Ministers in the French government.
• It undermined the spread of Islam in the four communes where many Africans had adopted French Christianity
• It created division among Africans; in Senegal some became citizens while other became French people.
• It created a class of western/ French education in the four communes 
• It led to the development of Western/French education in the four communes.
• Class of African elite spearheaded nationalism.

3.

State two conditions that one lead to fulfill in order to become fully assimilated in French West Africa.

• Ability to speak French.
• Literacy in French government/army
• Service in the French government/army
• Residence in Quabe de communities in Senegal
• Had to be monogamous.
• Accepting Christianity.

4.

State three privileges which were enjoyed by assimilated Africans in the four communes of Senegal (3 mks)

• They were allowed to  vote during elections
• They were allowed to vie for posts in the French  Parliament
• They were exempted from forced labour
• They were  allowed to work and live in France
• They received French education
• They had freedom of movement within  the French empire
• They were exempted from paying taxes
• They were allowed to become French citizens

5.

Why did the French system of assimilation fail in the areas outside the communes? (12 mks)

• The Africans were not willing to become Christians
• The Africans were not able to get the French type of education
• The system faced opposition from the Muslim
• The French parliamentarians did not want to compete with Africans for Cabinets posts
• The African traditional  rulers feared they would lose their positions
• French traders feared competition so they opposed the system
• It was expensive to implement the system because of the vastness of the French empire
• The varied African cultures made it difficult for them to be absorbed into the French culture.

6.

Give two results of the French assimilation policy in Senegal. (2mks)

• Entrenchment of the French culture/undermined African culture.
• It brought division among the Africans..
• Some Africans became French citizens/the assimilated Africans enjoyed the rights of French citizenship.
• Senegal became an overseas province of France.
• Traditional African leaders lost their authority.
• The influence of Islam was reduced. 

7.

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Name three communes in Senegal where the assimilation policy was applied intensively. (3mks)

• Goree
• St Louis
• Rufisque
• Dakar

8.

Explain five challenges which were experienced in the implementation of assimilation policy in Senegal. (10 marks)

• It conflicted with the general objective of colonization.
• It required social amenities/schools which were expensive to start.
• It was resisted/rejected by the traditional African rulers since it threatened/undermined their positions/rule.
• It was opposed by the Frenchmen back at home/France since it elevated the assimilated to the French status.
• The Muslims refused to be converted into Christianity thereby posing a challenge.
• The French citizens feared that the assimilated people would outnumber them in the French Chamber of Deputies.
• Racial discrimination by the French against the assimilated people whom they refused to acknowledge/accept them as equals.
• The Africans were deeply rooted in their culture hence making it difficult to forsake them.
• There was communication barrier as there was no common language between the Africans and the British.

Also Read

• COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
• DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF THE FRENCH POLICY OF ASSIMILATION IN SENEGAL
• DESCRIBE THE FACTORS WHICH FACILITATED THE APPLICATION OF THE FRENCH POLICY OF ASSIMILATION IN THE FOUR COMMUNES IN SENEGAL.
• DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF THE FRENCH POLICY OF ASSIMILATION IN SENEGAL

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