French West Africa with the exception of the Senegalese Communes, the administrative structure of French rule at the lower levels remained constant, based upon the Cercle system. This was the smallest unit of French political administration in French colonial Africa that was headed by a European officer. They might range in size, but French Sudan (modern Mali) consisted of less than a dozen Cercles for most of its existence. Thus, a Cercle Commander might be the absolute authority over hundreds of thousands of Africans. A Cercle consisted of several cantons, each of which in turn consisted of several villages, and was almost universal
French Colonial Union to a trip he had previously taken into the colony. In engaging in various colonial affairs, Chailley-Bert was able to add the French Colonial Union's influence on the matter. Individual members involving themselves in different affairs such as the African economic situation gave the French Colonial Union reason to express its grievances and concerns. Throughout its storied yet brief existence, the French Colonial Union was able to achieve small successes in various avenues. From issues in Africa to Algeria and several other victories, the Union was able to alter the perspectives of enough people to necessitate change. By consistently focusing,