Algerian War of Independence 1954-62

Algeria had become a French colonial possession after a series of military

campaigns in the 1830s and 40s.
European colonial country cheap land and job opportunities
In an attempt to make Algeria integral to France, successive French governments
attempted to assimilate Algeria culturally and administratively
Indigenous (Native) Muslims remained a majority of the territory's population
throughout its history
Assimilation of Algeria grew more and more successful and brought with it more
European settlers, Technology, Investment and European illness.
Some natives resisted through... guerilla style attacks on French soldiers and
European settlers.
Military Campaigns, European settlement and European illness: all meant that by
the 1870s the native population of Algeria was declining and the settler
population was increasing.
Muslim Discontent:
Economic Inequality aggravated Muslims with the Colonial regime!
When the war broke out!
1. 75% of Muslim population was illiterate in Arabic
2. Unemployment amongst Algerian Muslims was over 1 million
3. Twice this number were underemployed
War How France was affected:
World War 1
Occupied
Land destroyed & Society directly
impacted
Victorious
Relied heavily on other countries
World War 2
Occupied
Land Destroyed & Society directly
impacted
Part of country complied with Nazis
Victorious
Relied heavily on other countries
Declining world power

The impact on France from these wars was extreme and confusing. On one hand
they wanted to move forward and reject the past whilst on the other hand they
wanted to recapture their pre-war 19th Century world power status, which had
declined.
Algerian War = 1954 End of WW2 = 1945
9 years between two events
As the defeat of the Nazis was being celebrated in Algeria Algerian Nationalists demonstrated/rioted and were confronted by European
Settlers (Pied Noirs)
When the violence ended 6000 people - Muslim, Pieds Noirs and French soldiers
were dead.
This conflict in 1945 established the 3 (sometimes 4) groups, which were
involved in the Algerian War in 1954.
1. French Government (Including French Army)
2. Pieds Noirs
3. Algerian Nationalists
4. At times during the conflict the Army would act as a 4th group forcing its own
interests at the expense of the gvt.
ALGERIAN NATIONALIST MOVEMENTS
The FLN (Front de Liberation Nationale) was the nationalist movement, which
emerged to fight in the war. There were however other nationalist groups (this is
common for nationalist movements) with different goals and methods. (This
group emerged from the MTLD and would eventually represent most Nationalist
Algerian aspirations) did not act alone, other nationalist groups, such as,
UDMA, ULEMA, MTLD
FLN Leadership
Ahmed Ben Bella
One of the founders of the FLN. Captured in 1956 travelling to Tunis.
Spent most of the War in Prison. Later became Algerias first President. Deposed in a coup by forces led by Houari Boumedienne.
Houari Boumedienne
Commander of the military wing (ALN) of the FLN stationed in Tunisia.
Later took control of the Independent Algeria in a coup and ruled as
president from1965 -1978
The main aspirations of the FLN stemmed from?
Poor Economic Conditions for Algerian Arabs
Income differentials
Inaccessibility of landownership

External Influences played a role in the timing of war in Algeria in 1954

Mao had taken control of China in 1949
In 1952 Mao fought the USA to a standstill in Korea
These examples provided evidence that anything could be possible!!!

The French were defeated at Dien Bien Phu and their withdrawal from
Indochina appears to have presented an opportunity for Algerian
Nationalists
Although there had been Guerrilla violence by the FLN in Algeria this
increased dramatically after the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu

How similar/different was Dien Bien Phu and Algeria

1. Whilst the Viet Minh were ideologically motivated (communist) the FLN had no
ideological motivation.
2. The Viet Minh enjoyed support from China, the FLN had no such support
3. Indochina remote geographically from France - Algeria is very close
4. French law prohibited use of conscripts in Indochina there were none of
these restrictions in Algeria
On 1st November 1954 the FLN conducted a number of coordinated bomb
attacks across Algeria. The Algerian War had started.
FLN
No major country to support them with weapons
They were limited to small military actions: Bombings of buildings, shops etc
No military limitations French gvt made it clear Algeria was part of France
Increased its military presence with Paratroopers and Legionnaires
Legionnaires? Elite French fighting force, accepts foreign nationals and
French citizens. Alongside paratroopers responsible for assassinating and
retaliating against FLN supporters which severely weakened FLN leadership.
In 1955 typical Guerrilla warfare Para-Troopers pattern emerged FLN attacks French army retaliates using vicious tactics to discourage FLN membership and
to gain key information about the FLN. FLN attacks again.
FLN would put severe pressure on Algerian citizens and inflict terror on the
pieds-noirs.