The Algerian Independence Movement

1. The Algerian Independence Movement Ben Bella King Louis Philippe Abd al Qadir Charles De Gaulle Gamal Abdul Nasser

2. The French Invade • 1830: France invades after 3 yr blockade and despite Turkish resistance (43,000 men) • France looted, destroyed cemeteries, ruined mosques despite “civilizing mission” • France’s gov’t simultaneously changed – Charles X deposed, Louis Phillipe named • Liberal gov’t opposed invasion of Algiers, but occupation remained for national prestige • 1834 France annexes occupied areas as a colony (contains approx 3 mil. ) • Regime du sabre: gov. general is high-ranking army man – has military & civil jursidictionn

3. Land, Land, Land! • French authorities take beylik lands (Ottoman state-held land) • As settlers increase, France takes tribal, religious – held lands, and villages • Bertrand Clauzel (soldier/politician) forms private company to gain land and subsidize Euro settlement • As Gov general he encourages soldiers & officials to invest in land….increases vested interest of colons • Increase in commercial agricultural interest & economic enterprise using cheap land and labor

4. Early Opposition • Algiers : Ahmad Ibn Muhammad, bey of Constantine • Overhauled Ottoman admin – replaced Turks w/ locals, Arabic official language, reforms according to laws of Islam – beat French under Clauzel 1836 • Fr came back later to capture Constantine • ABD al QADIR:leads jihad against French & local allies • A marabout & politician; he gains support of people – controls 2/3 of Algeria in 1839 • France & al Qadir make peace treaties & break them - brutality against civilians • Morocco & Egypt are safe havens • In exile in Damascus , al Qadir intervenes to save lives of 12,000 Christians including French consul & staff (from Ottomans) – becomes French hero

5. 1871 Kabylie Uprising • Due to new rules regarding sales of grain, Muslims sold grain at high prices and were not allowed to keep reserves as had been the traditional practice • France doesn’t provide enough aid to starving population - resentment • Kabylie rises up against the French – who crushes them & imposes stricter rules, due process revoked, could jail people up to 5 yrs w/o trial

6. The Colony • 1845 Royal Ordinance to divide admin: 3 types • 1: Communes Plein Exercise-full exercise of French gov’t – mayors, councils • 2: Communes Mixtes – Muslims are majority, but substantial Euro pop. - some elected officials, reps of great chieftans, & French administrator • 3: Communes indigenes: remote areas, not pacified, - regime du sabre • 1848 N. Algeria under French Control • French saw bureaux arabes as hinderance to colonial rule COLONS WANT MORE AUTONOMY/ CONTROL • 1863: Napoleon III travels to Algeria, impressed by arab culture makes concessions – • 1865: Muslims could serve in armed forces & civil service, could migrate to France, got protection of French & Muslim laws, but if for citizenship, Algerians must reject muslim laws in favor of French laws (marriage, inheritance) • Fewer than 3000 chose to become citizens • 1871 France loses Franco-Prussian War – refugees from Alsace-Lorraione go to Algeria

7. Colonial Hegemony • Les Colons dominate administration in Algeria • 1890’s: Despite spots on local councils, Muslims have very limited spots on local councils and no spots on legislative councils • Colons become permanent fixtures in NA, then exert disproportionate influence • Economically, colons control most of the manufacturing, mining, agric. & trade • Dual economy: • Colons control modern sectors, 2/3 of agriculture, and all of ag exports • Muslims form basis of traditional sector – cereals & subsitance farming (but done on marginal lands) • Taxes are higher on Muslims than Euros: 90 % of population earns 20% of income & pays 70% of taxes • Education suffers – little money spent on locals, 5x for French, religious schools not funded, in 1890’s fewer than 5% of Algerian kids attend any kind of school • Even France recognizes the destruction of ruling class leaves them without valid go-betweens