How did the French system of colonial rule differ from that of Great Britain?

A: The French system of colonial rule differed from that of Great Britain in many ways. In Great Britain, the system was basically a fraud because British administrators made all major decisions. The colonial rule in Great Britain was also indirect, keeping the old African elite in power and sowing the seeds for class and tribal tensions. In contrast, the French system of colonial rule was direct, which gave power to an appointed French official, commonly known as a governor-general, to govern with the aid of bureaucracy in the capital city of the colony. Furthermore, the French system aimed to assimilate Africans into French culture rather than preserve local traditions.

Neither British administrators nor French officials was a native of the colonized country. They were employed by and served the colonizing country.

I don't understand my mistake.

Your words, including "In contrast," tells the reader that the British and French ruled in different ways.

Am I correct?

The French system of colonial rule must have differed from that of Great Britain in some way.

Didn't the French and British rule in different ways?

Yes, but you have described them as alike. How were they different?

A: The French system of colonial rule differed from that of Great Britain in many ways. In Great Britain, the system was basically a fraud because British administrators made all major decisions. The colonial rule in Great Britain was also indirect, keeping the old African elite in power and sowing the seeds for class and tribal tensions. In contrast, the French system of colonial rule was direct, aiming to assimilate Africans into French culture rather than preserve local traditions.

Didn't the French also make all major decisions?

Yes.

A: The French system of colonial rule differed from that of Great Britain in many ways. In Great Britain, the colonial rule was indirect, keeping the old African elite in power and sowing the seeds for class and tribal tensions. In contrast, the French system of colonial rule was direct, aiming to assimilate Africans into French culture rather than preserve local traditions.