The French only backed slave freedom after proving it caused no economic harm

Evidence

Only when a second slave exodus began in Upper Senegal-Niger in 1906 did the French finally side with the departing slaves, having discovered that freedom was neither depopulating the area nor resulting in economic disaster. To the contrary, they optimistically noted by 1909 that freed slaves in the colony were working harder than under bondage: Liberty is now acquired … — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 342

Categorization

• SEED: Angle for an essay: colonial powers framed humanitarian abolition as principle but actually required economic demonstration before honoring declared ‘republican’ commitments.