1. Algeria – A national liberation war

2. A. Beginnings of the War in Algeria
1950 considered as integral part of
French territory
1 million Europeans
9 million Muslim Algerians
Major inequalities between populations
1954 wave of terrorist attacks
creation of National Liberation Front (FLN), struggle for independence begun
French gov’t immediately sends in
military forces

3. FLN unit troops

4. B. Progressive deepening of the Algerian War (1954-1958)
Repression more and more violent
French refusal to acknowledge state of war
“Maintaining the peace” operations
Military action against small number of “fellaghas” and not against Algerians
1956, military numbers double
Fellaghas – Road Bandits
Harkis Soldiers

5. 1957 FLN brings war to the city Battle of Algiers
FLN uses blind terrorism; random bombings
French military resorts to frisking, torture, arrests
French Authorities and FLN partisans denounce violence of FLN (against French and Muslim alike)

6. C. De Gaulle puts an end to the war (1958-1962)
“Long Live French Algeria!”, June 6th, 1958

7. D. De Gaulle’s Policies towards Algeria
Progressively leads to negotiation
September 1959, recognizes Algerians have a right to self-determination
Partisans of French Algeria and members of Army feel betrayed
Sparks week of rioting in Algiers - January 1960
“the week of the barricades”

8. E. OAS bombings
April 1961, 4 generals attempt a coup d’état to take over the country
OAS (Organization of the Secret Army ) created 1961
Organizes series of terrorist attacks in France & Algeria

9. F. Independence
March 18, 1962 negotiations with FLN result in the Evian accords
Independence proclaimed July 5, 1962
800,000 Europeans flee the country
25,000 Harkis, treated as traitors, exiled in France

10. Repatriation of French Algerians

11. G. Legacy of Algerian War
Heavy human casualties
National Liberation War but also a Civil War
Public Opinion in France very divided
Long since taboo subject in French education -
similar to Vietnam experience for Americans
Video: Aljazeerah - Veterans: The French in Algeria 15’30”

12. Reading Assignment - Homework
The Unfinished Nation by Alan Brinkley
“Chapter 20 The Imperial Republic”, pp
Mastering Modern World History by Norman Lowe
“Chapter 24 The End of the European Empires”, pp
The World Since 1914 by Joe Scott, “Part 8: The End of Empire” (6 pages) (link to be found on blog)