France escalated African conscription from 30,000 to 120,000 men within eighteen months of war

Evidence

In 1914, on the eve of World War I, the federation had between 16,500 and 17,500 African soldiers serving in North Africa and another 14,000 scattered throughout West Africa. On July 29, two days after the Superior Command announced that the period of hostilities was now open, Panty cabled Paris that he could send thirtythree companies, or 6,6oo men, within twenty-five days to serve in France. When war broke out, Panty promised an additional three battalions and then, in November, pledged to mobilize 2o,ooo men and make them available for the national defense between March and December I9I5. By October I9I5, Africans serving in France, North Africa, and Cameroon numbered 7o,ooo. Of these, 32,ooo had been recruited in I 9 I 5 alone, in three separate recruiting drives. Few had yet been repatriated when, on October 9, 19I5, a further levy of 5o,ooo for I9I6 was announced. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 504

Categorization

• QUESTION: What exactly did France promise these recruited Africans regarding citizenship, rights, or land in return? This seems like a crucial bargain to trace.