Algerian War

The Algerian War was a major armed conflict for independence. It lasted from 1954 to 1962. The war was fought between France and the Algerian National Liberation Front, known as the FLN.

This conflict was a significant part of the era of decolonization. Decolonization is the process where colonies gain independence from the countries that rule them. The war was very complex. It involved guerrilla warfare and became a civil war between different communities. It also caused serious political crises within France itself.

The roots of the conflict go back to 1830. That year, France invaded and captured Algiers.

Over the next several decades, French rule spread into the interior. By 1834, Algeria was a French military colony. Eventually, the French government declared Algeria an integral part of France. This meant it was legally treated as part of the mainland. However, many Algerians did not have the same rights as French citizens. The 1865 Indigenous Code, or Code de l'indigénat, created legal discrimination. It made it difficult for Muslim Algerians to enjoy full citizenship. This inequality helped fuel the desire for self-rule.

Nationalism grew among the Algerian people during the early 20th century. Many intellectuals and leaders began to organize for autonomy. Some groups, like the Étoile Nord-Africaine, formed to fight for North African interests. Later, the Algerian People's Party sought extensive autonomy. In 1954, the FLN was founded to fight for full independence. They created an armed wing called the Armée de Libération Nationale, or ALN.

Many Algerian soldiers who had fought for France in Indochina joined the struggle. They brought experience from other colonial wars to the fight in Algeria.

The FLN used a specific strategy called asymmetric warfare. This means they used different methods than a traditional army. They knew they could not win a direct battle against the powerful French military. Instead, they used guerrilla warfare and urban terrorism.

Guerrilla warfare involves small, mobile groups that use surprise attacks. The FLN studied leaders like Mao Zedong and Hồ Chí Minh. They wanted to wear down France's political will. Their goal was to make the cost of the war too high for France. They also aimed to show the world the brutality of the conflict.

Hostilities officially began on 1 November 1954. This day is known as Toussaint Rouge, or Red All Saints' Day.

On this day, FLN fighters attacked military and civilian targets. The war caused immense suffering and loss of life. Estimates suggest between 400,000 and 1.5 million Algerians died. The conflict also killed 25,600 French soldiers and 6,000 Europeans. French forces used harsh methods to try to control the territory. They destroyed over 8,000 villages and relocated 2 million Algerians to camps. These actions failed to win the support of the people.

The war ended through political negotiations. President Charles de Gaulle opened talks with the FLN. This led to the signing of the Évian Accords in March 1962.

A referendum was held in April to approve the agreement. In July 1962, a second vote took place in Algeria. An overwhelming 99.72% of Algerians voted for independence. However, the transition was very difficult. An underground group called the OAS tried to stop independence through violence. They carried out bombings and attempted military coups to keep Algeria French.

The end of the war caused a massive movement of people. Many Europeans living in Algeria were called Pieds-noirs. Fearing revenge, about 900,000 Pieds-noirs fled to France within a few months. This caused great turmoil in the French government. Other people, known as the Harkis, also faced a hard fate. The Harkis were Algerians who had served as auxiliaries for the French army. Many were killed by the FLN or local mobs. About 90,000 Harkis eventually escaped to France. Today, their descendants are a significant part of the Algerian population in France.