Roume assumed West Africa should mirror France’s universal primary education

Evidence

One of the Third Republic’s priorities, after its consolidation in the late I87o’s, was the introduction of universal, free, compulsory, lay instruction in France at the primary school level. The idea-itself inherited from the First Republic-was to create a more democratic and egalitarian society in which careers would be open to talent. It also reflected the new regime’s determination to mold a loyal, patriotic, and enlightened citizenry. A series of laws passed between I88I and I886, along with the allocation of more than 5 so million francs in state subsidies and loans, ensured the success of this educational program. 7 Largely because of this commitment to primary education in the metropole, Roume automatically assumed that universal education should be a goal of the new Government General in West Africa. — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 258

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the broader theme of republicans exporting French ideals as the reader’s core question.