how did the french and australian assimilationist policies differ from each other

Answer 1

French assimilationist policies, implemented primarily in the 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed to transform Indigenous people in French colonies into French citizens by erasing their cultural, social, and linguistic differences. The French authorities sought to assimilate Indigenous populations into the French culture, language, and legal system. This involved banning Indigenous languages, forcing them to adopt French names, and implementing a centralized administration system that removed Indigenous authority and imposed French law.

On the other hand, Australian assimilationist policies, developed and implemented during the mid-20th century, aimed to assimilate Indigenous Australians into the dominant Anglo-Australian society. These policies also sought to eliminate Indigenous cultural practices, languages, and traditions in favor of Western values and practices. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families, placed in institutions or foster homes, and raised in ways that aimed to assimilate them into the white Australian culture. The goal was to have Indigenous people abandon their traditional ways of life and become, in the words of the time, "absorbed" into the broader Australian society.

Both the French and Australian assimilationist policies attempted to erase Indigenous culture and impose dominant societal norms, but the specific methods and contexts of these policies differed. The French assimilationist policies were predominantly applied in their colonies, while the Australian policies targeted Indigenous peoples within their own country. Additionally, the French policies were implemented earlier and were often driven by the desire to spread French culture and colonial dominance, whereas the Australian policies were influenced by racist ideologies and an attempt to achieve social and cultural homogeneity.