How did the French use the mandate system to govern Laos and Cambodia?

The French used the mandate system to govern Laos and Cambodia through direct and indirect rule, implementing French laws and institutions.

The French colonial rule in Laos and Cambodia, part of the larger French Indochina, was characterised by a combination of direct and indirect rule. The mandate system, established by the League of Nations after World War I, was a method used by the powerful Western nations to control non-self-governing territories. Although the mandate system was not officially applied to Southeast Asia, the French used similar methods to govern Laos and Cambodia.

In areas where the French had direct control, they implemented French laws and institutions. They established a centralised administrative system, replacing traditional local governance structures. French officials held key positions in the government, and French was the language of administration. The French also introduced Western-style education, which was primarily aimed at training locals to serve in the colonial administration and economy. This direct rule was more prevalent in Cambodia, where the French took over the administration of the country from the king.

In contrast, in areas of indirect rule, the French used local rulers to maintain control. This was more common in Laos, where the French maintained the monarchy and allowed local rulers to continue their rule under French supervision. However, these rulers were expected to follow French directives and their power was largely symbolic. The French also implemented a system of 'divide and rule', pitting different ethnic and regional groups against each other to prevent unified resistance against colonial rule.

The French also exploited the economies of Laos and Cambodia for their benefit. They introduced new cash crops, such as rubber and coffee, and built infrastructure, such as roads and railways, to facilitate the extraction and export of these resources. The local population was often forced to provide labour for these projects, leading to widespread resentment against French rule.

In summary, the French used a combination of direct and indirect rule to govern Laos and Cambodia, implementing French laws and institutions, exploiting the local economies, and using 'divide and rule' tactics to maintain control.