Lesson Note on French Colonial Administration: Assimilation and Association Meaning and Problems for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Second Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Colonialism and Administration
Previous Lesson: Indirect Rule in Southern Nigeria: Reasons for Failure of the Indirect Rule.
Topic: COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION
Subject Matter: Meaning of French colonial administration (French control and governance in West Africa), French administration policy of assimilation and association, meaning of assimilation and association, problems of policy of assimilation, reasons for change from assimilation to association.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Define French colonial administration.
• Explain the policies of assimilation and association.
• Identify problems associated with the policy of assimilation.
• State reasons for the change from assimilation to association.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the impact of colonial policies on African societies.
• Value the historical context of governance in West Africa.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Participate actively in discussions about colonial administration.
• Organise information on French colonial policies.

Social Domain:

• Express their opinions respectfully during classroom interactions.
• Collaborate with peers in understanding historical concepts.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Adewale, O.C. (2010). Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools. Tonad Publishers.
• Adeleke, B.O. (2008). Comprehensive Government for Senior Secondary Schools. A. Johnson Publishers Ltd.

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Textbooks
• Charts showing maps of French West Africa
• Documentary materials (pictures or short videos on colonial era)
• Debate guide

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the historical foundations of governance in parts of West Africa. It enables them to analyse how colonial policies shaped political and social structures, providing insight into contemporary issues in these regions.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have a basic understanding of colonialism and general forms of administration.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

French Colonial Administration

French colonial administration in West Africa was characterized by a policy of direct rule. This meant that France directly governed its colonies, aiming to integrate them culturally, economically, and politically with France. The French territories were administered as an extension of France, with officials sent from France to govern.

French Administration Policies

Policy of Assimilation

Assimilation was a French colonial policy aimed at transforming Africans into French citizens. The goal was to absorb the colonial subjects into French culture, language, and values, making them ‘black Frenchmen’.

The following are features of the policy of assimilation:

• Direct Rule: Colonies were governed directly from France, with minimal involvement of traditional African rulers.
• Cultural Integration: Africans were encouraged to adopt French language, education, and customs.
• Common Laws: French laws were applied directly to the colonies.
• Limited Citizenship: A small elite group of educated Africans could attain French citizenship and enjoy certain rights.

Problems of the Policy of Assimilation

The assimilation policy faced several challenges and criticisms:

• Cultural Resistance: Many Africans resisted abandoning their traditional cultures and identities.
• Racial Discrimination: Despite the policy, racial prejudice persisted, limiting true equality for assimilated Africans.
• High Cost: The cost of administering and developing colonies as extensions of France was very high.
• Limited Success: Only a small percentage of Africans were truly assimilated, creating a divide between the elite and the masses.
• Demographic Differences: The vast African population made full assimilation impractical.

Policy of Association

Association was a French colonial policy that replaced assimilation. It recognized the distinct identities of African people and aimed for cooperation between France and its colonies, allowing for some preservation of local customs and institutions.

The following are features of the policy of association:

• Cooperation: Emphasized collaboration between French administrators and local African leaders.
• Respect for Local Customs: Allowed for the maintenance of traditional laws and institutions to some extent.
• Separate Identities: Acknowledged that Africans were not necessarily French citizens but partners.
• Economic Exploitation: While culturally more lenient, the policy still prioritized France’s economic interests.

Reasons for Change from Assimilation to Association

The shift from assimilation to association was due to several factors:

• Failure of Assimilation: The policy proved largely unsuccessful and impractical due to cultural resistance and high costs.
• Rise of African Nationalism: Growing nationalist sentiments among educated Africans demanded greater autonomy and respect for their heritage.
• Cost of Administration: Maintaining assimilation was financially burdensome for France.
• Influence of British Indirect Rule: The perceived success of the British indirect rule system in neighboring colonies influenced French thinking.
• Demographic Realities: The sheer number of African subjects made full assimilation unfeasible.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids, Debate

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them what they understand by the term ‘colonialism’ and which European countries colonised West Africa. The teacher then introduces the topic: French Colonial Administration.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the lesson topic.

Step 2: French Colonial Administration

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of French colonial administration as a system of direct rule aimed at integrating colonies with France. The teacher also highlights its presence in West Africa.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the core concept of French colonial administration.

Step 3: Policy of Assimilation

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines the policy of assimilation and explains its key features, such as direct rule, cultural integration, and the aim of creating French citizens out of Africans.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils define assimilation and note its features.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the meaning and characteristics of the assimilation policy.

Step 4: Problems of Assimilation

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Critical Thinking
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the problems associated with the policy of assimilation, including cultural resistance, racial discrimination, and the high cost of implementation. The teacher may invite a resource person to speak on this if available.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and explain the problems of assimilation.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the shortcomings and challenges of the assimilation policy.

Step 5: Policy of Association

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Comparative Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines the policy of association as a shift from assimilation, focusing on cooperation and respect for local identities. The teacher also highlights its features.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils define association and note its features.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning and characteristics of the association policy.

Step 6: Reasons for Change from Assimilation to Association

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Cause and Effect
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the reasons behind the change from assimilation to association, such as the failure of assimilation, rise of nationalism, and high costs. The teacher may organise a short debate on the merits and demerits of colonial rule.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils explain why the change occurred and participate in the debate.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the factors that led to the policy shift.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is French colonial administration?
2. Define the policy of assimilation.
3. Mention three problems of the assimilation policy.
4. State two reasons why the French changed from assimilation to association.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarises the key points of the lesson, reiterating the distinct features and evolution of French colonial administration policies in West Africa. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to research the impacts of these policies on specific West African countries.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and note down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for further study.

Lesson Keywords

• Assimilation – A French colonial policy to transform Africans into French citizens.
• Association – A French colonial policy emphasizing cooperation and recognition of distinct African identities.
• Direct Rule – A system where the colonial power directly governs the colonies.
• French West Africa – The federation of eight French colonial territories in West Africa.
• Colonialism – The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research specific examples of resistance to French policies. For those needing more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and additional examples, ensuring core definitions are understood.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage active participation and critical thinking. Visual aids like maps and historical images are important to help pupils visualize the colonial context. Relating the historical policies to current political structures in Francophone West African countries can enhance relevance.