Generally, the European style of colonization was to subjugate the population using force (the more obvious way) or subtly using what the French coined in their approach to Morocco as "peaceful penetration", through economic and religious ways (i.e conversion).

Once control was assumed, a Governor- General was appointed over the colony and from there a civil administration was set up. In order to attarct settlers from the mother country, natives were usually ousted from their farms and homes and European settlers planted in their place. In some cases, Europeans populated their colonies with prisoners (e.g Australia for England, Algeria for France). In addition, intelligentsia and the various religious figures were sent over from the mother country to ensure a culture conversion occurred to make the colonies seem more like home to travelers and also to purge undesirable customs from the the natives.

I hope this explanation answered at least 1 or 2 of your questions; for more reading I would recommend "The French Intifada: The Long War Between France and Its Arabs" by Andrew Hussey