The French colonial policy aimed at changing Africans into French men was the policy of

Analyze the question: The question asks for the French colonial policy that sought to turn Africans into Frenchmen, meaning to make them adopt French language, culture, and values.

Explain the concept: France used two main policies in its West African colonies:

1. Assimilation: This was based on the belief that French civilization was superior. Africans were to be "civilized" by learning French, adopting French culture, religion, and law, and being educated in French ways. Those who qualified became French citizens. It was practised most clearly in the Four Communes of Senegal (Dakar, Saint-Louis, Gorée, and Rufisque).

2. Association: This came later, after assimilation proved impractical and costly. It allowed Africans to keep their own cultures and institutions, with cooperation between the French and local rulers under French overall control.

Go through the options:

• A. Assimilation: Correct. Its whole aim was to turn Africans into Frenchmen culturally and politically.
• B. Accommodation: This is not a recognised French colonial policy.
• C. Communes: These were the Four Communes in Senegal, which were places where assimilation was applied, not a policy.
• D. Association: This is the opposite approach, since it let Africans keep their own cultures.

Answer: The policy is assimilation, which is option A.

Exam tip: Remember the word assimilate as "to become similar". Assimilation means Africans becoming like the French. Association means working alongside them while keeping one's own identity. French = Assimilation, British = Indirect Rule.