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The Battle for Algeria

The Battle for Algeria. 1954-1962. Algeria Today. Four-fifths of Algeria's territory is covered by the Sahara desert. Oil and gas reserves discovered in the 1950s The country is one of the main suppliers of natural gas to Europe and energy exports are the backbone of the economy.

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The Battle for Algeria

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  1. The Battle for Algeria 1954-1962

  2. Algeria Today Four-fifths of Algeria's territory is covered by the Sahara desert. Oil and gas reserves discovered in the 1950s The country is one of the main suppliers of natural gas to Europe and energy exports are the backbone of the economy. Main population centers remain on the northern coast.

  3. Early History • Algeria was originally inhabited by Berbers until the Arabs conquered North Africa in the 7th century. Staying mainly in the mountainous regions, the Berbers resisted the spreading Arab influence and have preserved much of their language and culture. • 30% of the total population.

  4. Colonial Algeria • As part of the Ottoman Empire, Algeria had one of the largest navies and controlled the Mediterranean. • In 1827 a dispute erupted over the purchase of French wheat and the Algerians refused to pay. • The Algerian dey (governor) and the French ambassador meet to discuss the problem and in the ensuing argument the dey slapped the ambassador with a fly wisk

  5. The InvasionAlgeria • French prestige low, Charles X was really unpopular, something was needed to distract and entertain the French public.

  6. Invasion - 1830 • French use Napoleon III’s 1808 contingency plan, 34,000 French Soldiers v. 43,000 Algerians and allies • French win because of superior organization and artillery; French loot, pillage and rape their way through Algiers

  7. French Arrive • The capital is captured and the process of colonization begins. • The French encourage European settlement! • 350,000 Europeans in 1880 but by 1954 European population doubles. • Muslim population during this same period increased from 6 to 9 million!

  8. Traditional Land SystemAlgeria • 4 types of land • Melk (Individual land) • Beylik (best land) • Azel (confiscated / purchased land) • Bled el’arsh (tribal lands)

  9. French take control • French strip the core lineages of their political influence • Resettle the population in distinct settlement clusters – douars • French efforts to break up the tribe work all to well

  10. Life Under The FrenchCons and ConsAlgeria • French establish gov., locals now powerless • Major redistribution of land • French seize all beylik lands • Increase all taxes on land • 1863 – Introduce Western European concepts private property in land to Muslim holdings • Migration of peasants from countryside to city

  11. French Economic Interests • Mainstay of Algerian economy became vineyard cultivation and production of wine • Contributed to social and economic stratification among the colons • Colon landowners compared to Southern U.S. slaveowners

  12. Emerging Nationalism • New hopes, confidence and less dependency as a result of WWI • Especially among young Algerians who fight for France • Disappointment in post-war settlements • “restored imperialism and economic depression” of interwar years “fails to suffocate” nationalism (Thorn)

  13. Early Nationalist Organizing • Early groups ask for more autonomy and rights within French rule • Algerian Popular Party formed 1937, Ben Badis • French give limited citizenship to Algerians who renounce Islam, Arab language and culture • Arabic schools forced to operate illegally

  14. World War II • Vichy government from 1940-1942 • Allied liberation and rule 1942-1944 • Algerians fight in Europe for freedom again!

  15. Algerian Nationalism cont. • The end of WWII sees an upsurge in Algerian Nationalism! • Fourth French Republic established 1946 • French insist on keeping Algeria as colony • Limited rights for citizens of Algeria with token representation in Parliament. God is Great

  16. Algerian Nationalism • Increased discrimination leads to increased protests. • Europeans ensure that all political and economic power is held in their hands. • Muslims second class citizens! • Cities are segregated.

  17. Setif • May 8, 1945

  18. Resistance • Ben Bella, hero of WWII, refuses his officer’s commission because of Setif. • founding member of an underground organization pledged to fight colonial rule, known as the Organisation Spéciale. • Leadership arrested and/or goes into exile

  19. A New War • On Oct. 31 1954 a series of attacks is carried out against police stations and military outposts. • Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) claims responsibility • Guerrilla war begins • Early attacks in rural areas • Bring campaign to cities • Political campaign to win International support

  20. FLN Ahmed Messali Hadj: Communist, began the first push for Algerian Independence. • Created by Algerian intellectuals, exiles and ex-French (Algerian) soldiers. • The initial push for independence came from Algerian Communists opposing Colonialism. • Why did this fail? Ahmed Ben Bella: Exiled to Egypt for revolutionary activities. Created the FLN and would become Algeria’s first Prime Minister.

  21. FLN ProclamationNov. 1 1954 Goal: NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE by: • The restoration of the sovereign, democratic and social Algerian state, within the framework of Islamic principles. • The respect of all fundamental liberties without distinction of race or religion. INTERNAL OBJECTIVES: • Political reform by the returning of the National Revolutionary Movement to its true path and by the wiping-out of the vestiges of corruption and reformism, the causes of our current regression. • The gathering together and organization of all the healthy energies of the Algerian people for the liquidation of the colonial system. EXTERNAL OBJECTIVES: • The internalization of the Algerian problem. • The realization of North African unity within its natural Arab-Islamic framework. • Within the framework of the UN Charter, the affirmation of our active sympathy with regard to all nations who support our operations for liberation. MEANS OF STRUGGLE: In conformity with revolutionary principles, and taking into account the internal and external situations, the continuation of the struggle by all possible means until the realization of our goal.

  22. The War Continues…. • Terrorist attacks and French reprisals are everyday occurrences. • French forcibly resettle 2 million villagers to destroy any rural support for the FLN. • French send thousands of troops to deal with the violence. • Torture is routinely used as an interrogation method and rumors of summary executions are later confirmed. ..\Desktop\1960-11-17_Algeria_256kb.mp4

  23. Issue of Torture • Leader of the 10th parachute division, responsible for interrogations and intelligence. • French Newspaper Le Monde 2005 published a portion of the Aussaresses’s memoirs where he admits to using torture on a regular basis. • Why use torture to subdue an insurrection? • What are the benefits/consequences? • General Paul Aussaresses

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