The crown colonies in the British West Africa were administered through _________

Analyze the question: It asks how the crown colonies in British West Africa (e.g., Gold Coast Colony, Lagos Colony, Sierra Leone Colony, The Gambia Colony) were administered.

Explain the concept: Britain governed its territories in West Africa in different ways:

• Protectorates (e.g., Northern Nigeria, Northern Territories of the Gold Coast) were generally run through indirect rule, using traditional rulers.
• Crown colonies were territories that Britain had acquired by cession, treaty, or conquest. They were governed directly by a Governor appointed by the British Crown, who was assisted by Executive and Legislative Councils. The people were treated as British subjects, and British laws and officials applied directly.

Checking the options:

• A. Assimilation: This was the French policy of turning colonial subjects into "Frenchmen". It is not British.
• B. Decentralization: This is a general term for the spreading of power, not the name of a colonial administrative system.
• C. Association: This was a modified French policy that replaced assimilation. It is not British.
• D. Direct rule: Crown colonies were ruled directly by the Governor and British officials, so this is correct.

Answer: The crown colonies were administered through direct rule, which is option D.

Exam tip: Remember these pairs:

• Crown colony → direct rule
• Protectorate → indirect rule (British)
• Assimilation and association → French

If you see "assimilation" in a question, think France.