French officials dismissed educated African dissent as superficial varnish masking ignorance.

Evidence

On February 25, Dakar authorized a state of siege and the deployment of additional troops. These measures quickly brought the revolt under control. All participating chiefs and urban leaders were arrested, although the administration held the latter more responsible. The civilization of these “intellectuals” the lieutenant governor maintained, was only “a brilliant varnish covering ignorance and fatuousness.” Their demented ambitions, not excessive taxation, had caused the rioting. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 560