Original sentence: Its removal was the first in a series of steps by native peoples which led to the independence of many countries in the French colonial empire.The abolition of the indigénat, with its tax burdens, forced labor, and often arbitrary exercise of authority was a primary demand of the opposition to French colonialism
Edited sentence: Its removal was the first in a series of victories by native peoples which led to the end of colonialism.The abolition of the indigénat, with its tax burdens, forced labor, and arbitrary exercise of authority was a primary demand of the resistance to French colonialism