A new generation of association-supporting governors led French West Africa from 1917-1936

Evidence

If Carde’s predecessor, Martial Merlin, was a typical old-school administrator formed in the field, Carde was more in the mold of Van Vollenhoven, whose energy and pragmatism if not charisma Carde often recalled. With Carde, we pass fully into the new generation of leadership in French West Africa whose rise to power Van Vollenhoven had inaugurated in 1917-1918, but which Merlin’s subsequent appointment had interrupted. This generation included Governors General Carde, Van Vollenhoven, Angoulvant (interim governor general, I917-1918), and Carde’s successor, Jules Brevie (1930-1936L all of whom were born between 186o and I8yo. Typical of this new leadership was support for the policy and ideals of association, and a renewed commitment to mise en valeur. Carde’s ties to this new generation were particularly strong, since he had served under Governors General Angoulvant and Van Vollenhoven before being appointed governor general himself. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 698

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the generational shift in AOF leadership and the meaning of ‘association’ as its core policy.