Seeking Independence: The Algerian War PDF

Seeking Independence: The Algerian War  Recap So far, we have studied the Independence Movements South America (Simon Bolivar) Haitian Revolution These movements are what we would call armed struggles Movements that use weapons or military force to...

Seeking Independence: The Algerian War  Recap So far, we have studied the Independence Movements South America (Simon Bolivar) Haitian Revolution These movements are what we would call armed struggles Movements that use weapons or military force to overthrow the ruling party  The French Invade Algeria Initial colonization in 1830 has been characterized as a genocide ○ Invasion killed 825,000 indigenous Algerians ○ Colonization and massacres went side by side First three decades between 500,000-1,000,000 Algerians out of total 3,000,000 population killed due to war, massacres, famine, or disease  Pacification of Algeria (1835-1906) French forces used a Scorched Earth Policy ○ French forces would burn crops, rural villages, and attack population centers ○ Did this to “pacify” the local population Basically break their will to fight and accept the French as their new rulers There were tribal conflicts and some massacres of French settlers as they moved into Algerian territory  French Algeria French rule began in 1830 and lasted until 1962 One of France’s longest-held territories ○ Became a destination for hundreds of thousands of colons (French settlers) ○ Arab Muslims the vast majority of population ○ The French viewed Algeria as an extension of France. Colonial Leadership ○ Algerians were subject to French laws, but were offered no path to citizenship ○ In the later 1800s a path was offered, but Arabs had to “renounce their Muslim religion and culture” ○ French government saw Islam as an opposing force to the secular values of French Revolution  Early Resistance There was always resistance to the French in Algeria ○ Abd el-Kader (pictured) led a religious brotherhood that tried to unite the tribes and mount a jihad against the French in 1832 ○ This religious resistance scared the French who doubled down ○ French thought the idea of an Islamic government would halt European expansion and settlement ○ Quickly killed the Islamic leadership ○ Do so cut off any go-betweens for the French and Arabs Modern Algerian Independence  Timeline of Algerian War May 8, 1945: French celebrate the end of World War II ○ Muslim protestors organize to demand Algerian Independence ○ Protests turn into a massacre. Protestors kill around 100 French settlers ○ Turns into a rebellion which the French put down in 5 days. This counter attack becomes known as the Setif and Guelma Massacres French kill between 30,000-45,000 Algerians Bomb hard to reach villages  Timeline of Algerian War November 1, 1954 Nationalist Movements grow all over Algeria following the massacre Most famous is the FLN, a communist-Islamic party FLN launches armed revolts throughout Algeria calling for independent Algerian government  Timeline of Algerian War August 1955 FLN begins targeting French civilians, starting a mob that kills 120 French form vigilante groups (called pied-noirs) to fight Algerians Between 1,200-12,000 Muslims are killed in retaliation by pied noirs and French troops  Timeline of Algerian War September 30, 1956 FLN tries to draw international attention by attacking urban areas The Battle of Algiers begins when 3 women plant bombs in public venues (mostly French cafes)  French Tactics Throughout the Algerian War the French routinely used illegal methods to put down the rebellion Beatings, torture, waterboarding, burns, illegal imprisonment Pied-Noirs launched attacks (shootings, bombings) on civilians  The Battle of Algiers (1966 film) Black & White film (made in 1966 afterall) Depicts the battles between French Soldiers/Police & FLN movement during the Algerian War of Independence First film made that showed the brutality of French Colonialism ○ Banned in France for 5 years after initial release  Details of the Algerian War May 1958 ○ Mob of pied noirs, angered by French government inability to stop revolution storm the Governor General’s office ○ With support of army officers, the pied noir install Charles De Gaulle as leader of France De Gaulle led the resistance against the Nazis during World War II Greeted in Algiers by Arabs and French alike