Feudalism can be defined as the identification of landed property with sovereignty - sovereignty over a parcel of land which becomes a private hereditary possession and an asset to the family. The king on receiving his fief or feud (feudalism) or estate was entrusted with sovereignty over all persons living on it. He became their law-maker, their commander and the judge.

There were certain differences between British and French colonial policies in West Africa. In the first place, the French regarded all her colonial territories in West Africa as one political unit, which was part of the Republic of France.