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Decolonization of Algeria
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Algeria recognized as a part of France
This meant the process of colonizartion was progressing and Algeria became more French. For example, in November of this year, French citizens were allowed to permanently move to Algeria only furthering the French presence and culture in Algeria. -
Early Signs of Oppression
"The colonial regime imposed more and higher taxes on Muslims than on Europeans.The Muslims also paid new taxes, from which the colons were normally exempted. In 1909 for instance, Muslims, who made up almost 90% of the population but produced 20% of Algeria's income, paid 70% of direct taxes and 45% of the total taxes collected" which symbolizes early sings of exploitation and discrimination practices carried out. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Algeria#Conquest_of_the_Algerian_territorie -
The formation of the PPA
Formed after the fall of the ENA, the predecessor of the PPA, caused by the joining of the ENA and the French Front Populaire. The FFP was a coalition of French lefist polotical parties in power at the time. The relationship was short lived causing the fall of ENA, the PPA taking its place. Regardless of peaceful attempts of protest, the group was constantly chased off by French police, to the point they were banned from Algeria due to the French government.
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Setif and Guelma Massacre
French soldiers opened fire on a group of demonstrators killing some and sparking the Algerian attack on French settlers in Guelma, which left at least 100 dead and many injured including mutilations and rapes, which then in turn caused an attack from French military and vigilantes to then murder an up to estimated 6,000 Muslims in retaliation to the attacks on French settlers. Considered a turning point in Franco-Algerian relations.
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Formation of the FLN
This group was formed to combine smaller resistance groups and also for the freedom of Algeria from France. It was also important because it was the only legal and political party of the Algerian people before others were allowed to join in 1989.
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Defeat of Dien Bien Phu relation to Algerian Independence
Emboldened by French defeat of Dien Bien Phu, the newfly formed FLN then launched armed revolts across Algeria in protest of the French rule and also issue a proclomation calling for a sovereign state of Algeria. The French remain undisturbed and unimpressed but deploy troops to ensure peace and order. -
Phillippeville Massacre
One of the many violent and gruesome massacres to prove a point, that Algerians were not taking this war lightly and showed that by slaughtering anyone who supported the French. And they continued to do so, igniting the French for retaliation.
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Beginning of the Battle of Algeirs
This began with the FLN trying to gain international attention and perhaps help in gaining independence, made a deperate move. They had three women plant three simultaneous bombs in different locations. This along with the FLN shootings and bombings in 1957, the French goverentment ordered Gen. Jacques Massu to do "whatever necessary" to contain the uprising which primarily included brutality, torture, and massacres causing French populations support of colonizing Algeria to wane. -
FLN Massacre of Muslim MNA supporters
An estimated 303 Muslims were massacred at the hands of the FLN in the village of Melouza because they were supporters of the MNA (Algerian National Movement) which was a political organization made to counteract the FLN movement. At this massacre, the FLN left pamphlets calling the French's "pacification" the cause of the deaths. This furthered tensions in an already unstable country which was now feudinf not just with the French, but also within itself. These two groups had a few altercations. -
Encouragement from JFK
President of the United States John F. Kennedy gave a speech supporting and encouraging the independence of Algeria, which is an example of the international pressure that helped decolonize many oppressed territories.
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DeGaulle installed as leader
Angry pied-noirs or French settlers, strom the office of the govenor-general in Algiers demanding for Charles de Gaulle to be installed as the leader of France along with military personnel.The French National Assembly approves. He is greeted by both Algerians and French upon his arrival, symbolizing the want of order restoration of the people. -
De Gaulle realizes decolonization is inevitable
After being made governor-general of Algeria appointed by the French, De Gaulle realized that there was no forseeable way to win the war against the people of Algeria nor a way to continue the oppression and colonization of it. This signified the end was near.
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Evian Accords Part II
The second round of attempts to find some sort of peace between France and Algeria was somewhat obtained here. It was a declaration of a cease-fire and was also heavily influenced by international powers who were comparing the crimes against humanity commited by France to that of the too-distant Nazi Germany which definitely fueled this cease-fire. In July of this year, 6,000,000 Algerians cast their votes to obtain independence in a referendum to uphold the Evian Accords decision. -
Independence at last
Algeria finally obtained their freedom and independence from the oppressive colonizers (French). This was one of the many countries in Africa to become independent following the 1961 "Winds of Change" speech.
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