Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-253) and index.

"During the first half of the twentieth century, movements seeking p olitical equality emerged in France's overseas territories. Within twen ty years, they were replaced by movements for national independence in the majority of French colonies, protectorates, and mandates. In this p athbreaking study of the decolonization era, Adria Lawrence asks why el ites in French colonies shifted from demands for egalitarian and democr atic reforms to calls for independent statehood, and why mass mobilizat ion for independence emerged where and when it did. Lawrence shows that nationalist discourses became dominant as a consequence of the failure of the reform agenda. Where political rights were granted, colonial su bjects opted for further integration and reform. Contrary to convention al accounts, nationalism was not the only or even the primary form of a nti-colonialism. Lawrence shows further that mass nationalist protest o ccurred only when and where French authority was disrupted. Imperial cr ises were the cause, not the result, of mass protest"-- Provided by publisher.