The intent of this thesis is to use primarily qualitative research methods to determine the relationship between the independent historical variables of ancien régime and French colonization and the dependent variable of degree of secular state policies. This thesis asserts that there is a path dependent relationship between ancien régime in conjunction with French colonization on the development of ideological dominance of assertively secular ideology, passively secular ideology, or conflicted ideology. The focus of this thesis will be on the case studies of Senegal, Tunisia, and Algeria and how no ancien régime, accommodating colonization, and peaceful decolonization led to passive secular ideology and tolerant policies toward religion in Senegal, how partial ancien régime, oppressive colonization, and peaceful decolonization led to assertive secular ideology and restrictive policies toward religion in Tunisia, and how no ancien régime, oppressive colonization, and extremely violent decolonization led to inconsistent ideology and policies toward religion in Algeria. Each state's policies toward education and headscarves will be examined in order to best illustrate the outcomes of each of these paths
