Question

What did French colonial theorists of the early 20th century mean by "associationism," and how did this concept influence the work of French architects in North Africa and Indochina (Laprade, Hebrard)?

a. Embraced traditional designs
b. Applied indigenous materials
c. Adopted modernist styles
d. Integrated local culture

Answer 1

Associationism was a French colonial policy advocating for the integration of local culture into colonial governance and expressions, including architecture, where traditional designs and indigenous materials were embraced by architects such as Laprade and Hebrard in North Africa and Indochina.

Step-by-step explanation:

French colonial theorists in the early 20th century introduced a concept called "associationism," which suggested that colonizing powers should incorporate local traditions and cultures into their governance and cultural expressions, instead of imposing their own. This philosophical approach held that colonial rule should build on existing local social structures and customs, forming an associative relationship rather than one purely based on domination. In architecture, this meant integrating local culture into the designs that French architects produced for colonies in North Africa and Indochina. Two such architects, Albert Laprade and Ernest Hebrard, exemplified this by embracing traditional designs and applying indigenous materials to their structures, seeking a synthesis of French and local architectural elements.