Algerian War of Independence 19541962 Location of Algeria

Algerian War of Independence, 19541962

Location of Algeria, North Africa

Draw a Simple Sketch Map SPAIN ALGERIA Tunisia Morocco Libya Western Sahara (controlled by Morocco) Mauritania Mali Niger Chad

Algeria • French colony since 1848 • 85% of land is desert • 90% of population live on narrow fertile coastal strip on the Mediterranean • 2005 population = 31 million Constantine

How the War Started • War began on All Saints' Day, November 1, 1954 • Guerrillas of the National Liberation Front (FLN) launched attacks in various parts of Algeria against military installations. . . • Algeria was considered to be a French department and part of France by the French government • A massacre of women and children by the FLN in August 1955, led to all out war with France

Response of French Army • In 1957, General Raoul Salan, commanding the French army in Algeria, divided the country into sectors, each permanently garrisoned by troops, to stop rebel attacks (Quadrillage System) • 1957 -60, 2 million + Algerians relocated into camps by French Army to stop them aiding the rebels

End of the War • June 1958, Charles De Gaulle returned to power as French President • September 1959, De Gaulle referred to ‘self-determination’ in a speech • Peace talks began in 1961 at Evian and in 1962, 91% French voters approved the deal made at the peace talks • Independence granted July 1962