The Algerian WarA case study of violent decolonization1Origins of the Algerian WarThe Algerian War1954-1962War between Algeria and France resulting in Algerian independenceExtremely violent: perhaps 300,000 killedTerrorism, guerilla warfare, torture, and atrocities on both sidesCase study of independence through violence

3French Colonialism1830: France invades Algeria1848: Algeria becomes a departement of FranceFrench settlers (pieds-noirs or colons) migrate in large numbers

4Why Revolt?LandFrench government distributed prime land to pieds-noirsEconomic inequalityPowerFrench citizens had more rights than Algerian MuslimsSettlers blocked moves to give Muslims more rightsWorldwide trend of decolonization, 1945-1960s

5Founded November 1, 1954Coalition of Algerian nationalist groups Became the major combatant against the French in the Algerian War

The National Liberation Front (FLN)

The Savage War of PeaceMay 8, 1945: V-E DayActivists demonstrated for Algerian independenceFight between protesters and French police Muslim protestors killed 103 Europeans that eveningFrench military cracked down and took revenge, killing thousandsThe Stif Massacre

March 13 May 7, 1954Battle in Vietnam resulting in defeat of French army by Vietnamese nationalistsResulted in French withdrawal from VietnamSign of French military weakness

The Battle of Dien Bien Phu

November 1, 1954: FLN launched coordinated attacks across Algeria, killing 7 peopleFLN declared goal of establishing an independent AlgeriaSparked a series of attacks and counter-attacks by French and Algerian forcesToussaint Rouge (Red All Saints Day)

Guerrilla War: An InterludeIrregular combatantsSurprise attacksHigh mobilitySabotageAvoidance of direct confrontationOften used by weaker forces against more conventionally powerful opponents

Guerrilla WarfareAnd now, back to the war!August 1955FLN massacred 123 people in Philippeville, including civilians a change in tacticsFrench army responded with massive retaliation, killing thousandsTerrorism succeeded generated tremendous support for the FLN

The Philippeville MassacreThere were so many [dead Muslims] that they had to be buried with bulldozers.European mothers were found with their throats slit and their bellies dashed open infants in arms had their brains dashed against the wall.September 30, 1956: women bombed three sites in Algiers, the capitalStarted a year-long guerilla campaign in AlgiersCivilian casualties; heavy-handed responseBombings spread a sense of insecurity war was everywhereFLN aimed to draw more attention by attacking citiesThe Battle of Algiers

FrenchTortureIllegal executionsMilitary rule no democracyForced disappearancesCensorshipTortureTerrorismTargeting civilians especially MuslimsAtrocities (and other, less bad, things)AlgerianEnding the WarThe Return of De GaulleAlgeria and other crises undermined faith in the French governmentMay 1958: angry pieds-noirs demanded the return of Charles de Gaulle to keep Algeria FrenchDe Gaulle took over France on June 2, 1958

19Why Give Up Algeria?ExpenseDomestic oppositionInternational opposition

September 1959: de Gaulle offered Algeria a vote on its future status after violence stoppedPossibility of independence angered pieds-noirs, led to unrest

20Fall 1961: France began secret negotiations with FLNMarch 1962: ceasefire signedApril 1962: 90% of French voters endorsed Algerian independenceJuly 1, 1962: Algerians voted for independence, 6 million versus 17,000July 3, 1962: Algeria became an independent stateThe End of the War

Signed March 18, 1962Provisions:CeasefireFrance recognizes Algerias right to independence and agrees to withdraw troopsAlgeria guarantees political and economic rights to pieds-noirsViolently opposed by some radical settlersApproved by French and Algerian voters by July 1962

The Evian AccordsNearly 1 million Europeans left Algeria before independenceOrganization de lArmee Secrete (OAS)Founded December 3, 1960Radical French settlers dedicated to keeping Algeria FrenchAttempted to stop the progress of Algerian independenceAssassination attempts against de Gaulle and SartreReprisals against supporters of France

The AftermathHarkis

Algerian Muslims who fought for or supported the FrenchSignificant contribution to the French war effort roughly 236,000 by 1962Many fled to France after the end of the warBetween 50,000 and 150,000 Harkis and families killed after independence