Question

Was the French system of colonial government centralized. What does it mean by centralized

Answer 1

The French system of colonial government was not centralized. Centralized meaning that they did not control all of their colonial empires, particularly in Africa and Asia, through their main government structure. Instead they opted for indirect rule where through existing local power structures, or trucial states, the day to day government and administration of areas where left in the hands of traditional rulers.