French Colonial Policy

French colonial policy aimed to expand and maintain France’s empire by controlling overseas territories through administrative, economic, and cultural influence. The goal was to extract resources, spread French language and culture, and strengthen national prestige. Policies often involved setting up colonial administrations, promoting settlers, and imposing French legal and educational systems. While some initiatives sought to modernize colonies, they also prioritized France’s interests, sometimes suppressing local customs and leaders. Overall, French colonial policy was a combination of economic exploitation and cultural assimilation, reflecting France’s desire to project power and integrate colonies into its global empire.