Demands for taxes and forced labor varied according to the local "cercle", and in some areas, forced contract labor continued as a staple of the colonial economy, for example where private enterprises could not attract sufficient workers or for projects of colonial officials. In the inter-war period, the demand for forced labour increased massively: even the most well-intentioned officials often believed in 'forced modernization' (supposing that 'progress' would only result from coercion), while French-created 'Chiefs' also enjoyed tremendous coercive power. This resulted in enrichment for chiefs and the French, and harsh conditions for African labourers.