Algerian War Insights Quiz

A type of warfare where small, irregular forces use hit-and-run tactics against a larger, regular army.

Forces that are not part of a regular army, often operating outside of a fixed base.

The use of violence and other tactics to achieve political, tactical, or strategic goals.

The Algerian War was a fight for national independence from French control. Algerian people sought to break free from colonial rule.

French colonizers sought to assimilate Algerians culturally and administratively, leading to resentment and rebellion.

The French response to the Algerian War, which aimed to crush the FLN through military superiority and urban development projects like the Constantine Plan.

Refers to the French policy of integrating Algerians into French society through cultural and administrative assimilation. This approach often backfired, leading to resistance and resentment among Algerians.

Terrorist attacks by the FLN against French civilians and infrastructure, primarily in response to French brutality and oppression.

A one-week period of intense violence in Algeria as Pieds Noirs, fearing French withdrawal, set up barricades, only to later dismantle them, recognizing the inevitability of Algeria's independence.

A French military unit composed of Algerian soldiers who allied with the French, often fighting alongside them against the FLN. Their loyalty to France often resulted in tragic consequences after Algeria's independence.

A group of Algerian nationalists who fought for independence from France, using guerilla tactics effectively to wear down French forces, especially in the mountainous terrain of Algeria.

The French colonial administrators and settlers in Algeria who were deeply invested in maintaining French control over the territory. Their fear of losing their privilege and way of life contributed to tensions and violence.

The agreement signed in Evian, France, in 1962 that officially ended the Algerian War. This agreement granted Algeria its independence and guaranteed the safety of French citizens remaining in the country, while creating a wave of mass migration of Pieds Noirs and Harkis.

The UDMA advocated for negotiated equality and autonomy within a French state, aiming for a more integrated approach to Algerian independence.

The Ulema, representing traditional Islamic values, pushed for an independent Algerian state governed by Islamic law.

The MTLD emerged as a unification of various nationalist aspirations, combining traditional Islamic values with left-wing socialist ideals, advocating for complete independence from France.

The FLN emerged from the militant branch of the MTLD, representing the culmination of Algerian nationalist desires for complete liberation and formation of an independent state.

The FLN's structure was characterized by a collective leadership, where decisions were made through consensus, reflecting a shared commitment to the liberation struggle.

Economic inequalities, disparities in income, and limited access to land fueled the Algerian nationalist movement, highlighting the injustices faced by the Algerian population.

The FLN, though lacking a rigid ideology, united diverse groups under a shared goal of independence, drawing strength from their collective commitment.

Unlike the Viet Minh, which received support from China, the FLN lacked international backing, leading to a more challenging struggle for independence.

Algeria, geographically closer to France than Indo-China, faced stricter restrictions on conscription, reinforcing the view of Algeria as an integral part of France, not just a colony.

The FLN's strategic decision to launch coordinated attacks on November 1st, 1954, marked a significant turning point in their fight for independence.

The FLN, along with its military wing, the ALN, organized the country into six military zones (Wilayas) for efficient governance and operational coordination.

FLN commanders, responsible for all activities within their Wilaya, exercised broad autonomy, managing military operations, political indoctrination, taxation, and even assassinations and intimidation.

While ethnic and tribal infighting limited the effectiveness of certain districts, the FLN's organizational structure, characterized by strict discipline and a clear hierarchy, proved effective in mobilizing resources.

The French military consisted of both elite legionnaires, known for their skill and training, and less experienced conscripts and reservists, including Algerian individuals known as Harkis.

The French faced challenges in maintaining military strength due to unpopular conscription, leading to low troop commitment and a shortage of capable leaders.