Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which of the following was NOT an aspect of Britain's policy of indirect rule in colonial Africa?

1. Subsidizing primary education for Africans

2. The expectation of eventual self-government

3. Decentralized administration

4. Uniform government policy throughout the colonized territories

The correct answer is: Uniform government policy throughout the colonized territories

The choice identifying uniform government policy throughout the colonized territories as not being an aspect of Britain's policy of indirect rule in colonial Africa is accurate because indirect rule was characterized by significant variability in governance. The British employed local rulers and traditional authorities to administer their policies, which often resulted in a decentralized approach to governance. This meant that local customs and systems of leadership were utilized, leading to diverse policies that could vary widely even within the same colony. Each region could have its own form of administration depending on the local ruler's practices and the specific colonial context. In contrast, the idea of a uniform policy would imply a one-size-fits-all approach that disregards local differences, which was not the case in the application of indirect rule. Moreover, aspects such as decentralization and the expectation of eventual self-government suggest a reliance on local governance structures and an acknowledgment of local autonomy, further supporting the idea that there was no overarching uniformity in how Britain ruled its colonies under this system. This decentralized approach allowed for varied educational, legal, and governance systems tailored to the specific needs and cultures of different African societies.