French Colonial Exposition

French colonial law refers to the segment of French law historically practiced within the French colonial empire.^¹ This colonial law was designed under the premise of a "civilizing mission," but in practice, it often entailed discriminatory treatment of colonized populations.^¹ Key institutions included the French colonial native code and legal slavery.^¹ French colonial law frequently aimed to manage colonized peoples through an understanding of their social structures, often referred to as "customs."^¹ Specialists in French colonial law included administrators, jurists, and magistrates.^¹