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Algerian War of Independence
1954-1962
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Algerian War
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The Algerian war of Independence
from the French was fought from October 31, 1954 until March 19,
1962.
As part
of this war, the Battle of Algiers was fought from 1956-1957.
Although the French forces won the Battle of Algiers tactically, the long-term outcome favored
Algerian nationalism, leading to independence from France.
At a
rally in Paris on October 17, 1961, between 100 to 300 peaceful Algerian independence protesters were
killed by the French police.
This became known as the Paris Massacre of 1961.
Today in
France, March 19 is the official day of remembrance of the victims
of this war, both Algerian and French.
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Background
Algeria was invaded by France in 1830 and became a French colony, officially integrated
as part of France in 1848. Over the years, tensions grew between the indigenous Algerians
and the French settlers, known as pieds-noirs ("black feet").
The movement for Algerian independence gained momentum after World War II, fueled by unfulfilled
promises of greater self-rule and brutal repression of pro-independence demonstrations,
such as the Sétif massacre in 1945, where thousands of Algerians were killed by French forces.
Sétif Massacre 1945
The massacre occurred shortly after World War II, during celebrations of the Allied victory in Europe.
Algerians, who had fought alongside the Allies, organized demonstrations in Sétif and surrounding
areas to demand civil rights and an end to colonial rule. The atmosphere was charged with anti-colonial sentiment,
as many Algerians sought recognition for their contributions during the war.
The protests began peacefully but escalated when a young Algerian scout, Saal Bouzid, was killed
by French police for waving an Algerian flag. This incident sparked violence, leading to riots in which
approximately 103 Europeans were killed by demonstrators seeking to express their frustration against
colonial oppression.
In response to the riots, French authorities launched a brutal crackdown that lasted for about two weeks.
General Raymond Duval led military operations that included aerial
bombings and ground assaults on villages suspected of harboring nationalists.
Estimates of Algerian casualties vary widely, with figures ranging from 15,000 to 45,000 deaths, predominantly
among unarmed civilians. The French military employed extreme measures such as mass arrests, summary executions,
and destruction of entire villages. Bodies were disposed of in mass graves or dumped into wells to conceal
the extent of the violence.
The massacre essentially galvanized a generation of Algerians and is often cited as a catalyst for the
formation of armed resistance groups leading up to the Algerian War of Independence in 1954.
The Sétif Massacre remains a sensitive topic in both Algeria and France. While it was officially recognized
by France in 2005 as a tragedy, many Algerians view it as a crime against humanity that exemplifies the
brutality of colonial rule.
May 8 has since been designated as a national day of remembrance in Algeria. In France May 8 is also a day of
remembrance, known as Victoire 1945 or Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). But the day has a dual significance,
as it also acknowledges the Sétif Massacre that occurred on the same date in 1945.
When Did the War of Algerian Independence Begin?
The war officially began on November 1, 1954, when the National Liberation Front (FLN), an Algerian nationalist
political party established in 1954, launched coordinated
attacks against military and civilian targets across Algeria. This day became known as Toussaint Rouge (Red All-Saints’ Day).
When Did the War of Algerian Independence End?
The War of Algerian Independence officially ended with the signing of the Évian Accords on
March 18, 1962. These accords established a ceasefire between France and the National Liberation Front (FLN) and set the framework
for Algeria's transition to independence.
Although the accords were signed on March 18, Algeria's independence was formally declared on July 5, 1962, following a
referendum in which an overwhelming majority voted in favor of independence.
Casualty Estimates
Estimates of Algerian casualties range from 400,000 to 1.5 million people. The higher figure is
often cited by Algerian historians and officials, while French historians typically provide lower estimates.
Approximately 25,600 French soldiers were killed during the conflict. Additionally, around 6,000 Europeans
(primarily French settlers) also died.
The war also involved the deaths of about 70,000 Muslim auxiliaries and their families who were targeted by
the FLN for collaborating with French forces.
The war was marked by extreme violence, including massacres, torture, and widespread human rights abuses,
contributing to the high death toll and deep scars left on both Algerian society and Franco-Algerian relations.
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