The history of French colonialism had far reaching results to the populations that it came under rule. This is because of its long presence as a colonial power with a period extending from the 1500s to the 1900s. France had established empires across the globe including the exploration of the Northern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Islands of Caribbean, across the Indian Ocean, and west coast of Africa among others. Some of the effects felt by the countries colonized revolved around the economical, social and political changes on their population.
Politically, the French engaged the indigenous elites as part of their administration thereby assimilating different colonies across the globe. This also helped their administration to be standardized across France and its empire a structure that was formed as a result of the monarchs of the ancient regime. This led to power being executed and radiated from France and spread across the empire. The parliamentary representation provided consistent administrations and also the benefit of the French culture during colonialism and also the period of decolonization on the indigenous countries.
French colonialism brought with it interdependency between the indigenous countries and the colony in terms of different development perspectives during and after their rule. France still remains one of the major trade partner and bilateral aid donor to these countries, for example, Senegal as the oldest France colony in the region of Africa has strong reinforced ties between itself and its former colony in terms of trade relations. On the other hand, the other western territories benefited much with their relations with France such as getting investments for building roads, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructural facilities. During the process of decolonization, France introduced an interdependency agreement that offers support on economic and monetary support to the colonies which further exerted influence on the countries.
Using its assimilation method, France had influenced the populations into their cultures and way of life. During the colonial period the French population had been hesitant to incorporate into their culture and society but another social class was created which worked for change to social-cultural model between the two parties. Civilization at that time meant that the indigenous population had to abolish some of its customs and practices and get induced to the French culture. This led to the induction of the western education thereby eroding their traditional culture and also a change of their economic systems to integrate them with their colony. This social change in the colonies still persisted even after the period of decolonization to the indigenous population.
Therefore, due to their nature of rule, for example the establishment of democratic institutions and the doctrine of assimilation among others, the colonies established a strong sense to have continued relationship with their former colony. The legacies that remained after their exit made it difficult for these economies to establish their own independent economies and political regimes without integrating with their colonial power. The social structures are intertwined and reversing to their traditional regimes is relatively impossible. The advantage of this relationship after colonialism is that there is enhanced development since most of the countries are third world and need both politically and economically. In conclusion, there is more weight lying towards these countries benefiting from the aftermath of the French colonialism in their countries even when the process of decolonization began.