The period between 1914 and 1930 opened up a new era in the civilizing actions and assumptions of the Government General. French policy and ideology changed to reflect both transformations in the metropole and the political needs of the colonial state. These needs were starkly exposed by the revolts that had occurred during World War I and by the evolues' continued demand for political equality with French citizens throughout the 192o's. Such challenges made clear to federal authorities that they had made a mistake in at- tempting to divest chiefs of their authority and in maintaining all power in their own hands-two policies identified with France's civ- ilizing mission in West Africa. Dakar thus began to reconsider these policies even before the war ended. In particular, it recommended reappointing customary chiefs to office, and suggested a "new deal" for the educated elite. These policy changes were given a name fa- miliar in France and some colonies since the 189o's, but new in the Government General of West Africa in the 192o's: association.

Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The …, loc. 604