Chronology of the War in Algeria

The war in Algeria, long known as "the events in Algeria," traditionally begins on 1 November 1954, ending the Evian Accords, March 18, 1962. But to have a clearer view of this complex and still painful conflict in the history of France, we must extend the time frame, and try to come back a little to the origins.

From Conquest to World War II

- 1830-1857: conquest of Algeria by France.

- 1865-1867: failure of the reforms of Napoleon III (Senatufconfultum of July 14, 1865 granting citizenship to native Jews and Muslims, ...).

- 1870 (October 24): Cremieux decree granting French citizenship to the Jews of Algeria.

- 1870-1871: the last great native revolt, that of Sheikh El Mokrani, is defeated.

- 1881 (June 28): establishment of the Indigenous Statute.

- 1936 (December): Blum-Violette for access to citizenship than twenty-five thousand Algerians without abandonment of personal status. But it was abandoned under pressure from settlers in Algeria.

- 1937: the Algerian People's Party (PPP) of Hajj Messali successor to the North African Star.

- 1939: The PPP is prohibited.

- 1943 (February 10): Ferhat Abbas published the Manifesto of the Algerian people, with an allusion to an "Algerian nation".

- 1944 (March 7): General de Gaulle signed the Ordinance of 7 March 1944 to break the inequality between the people of Algeria in existence since the nineteenth century. According to certain criteria (including military), tens of thousands of Algerians become eligible to vote in national elections. In time, the Indigenous Statute must be removed (it is officially in 1946). In the wake of the order of March 7, Ferhat Abbas created the AML (Friends of the Manifesto and Liberty).

Setif to the call of the FLN

- 1945 (May): after the arrest and deportation of Messali Hajj, head of the PPP (now illegal), his supporters joined the AML and mass protests are increasing, as are arrests. May 8, events degenerate in Setif and Guelma. Europeans are killed, and the French army triggers a bloody crackdown that lasts several weeks and caused hundreds of casualties. These days are fundamental in the minds of Algerian nationalists.

- 1946: Foundation by the MTLD Messali Hajj, which succeeds the PPP, and Ferhat Abbas's UDMA, succeeding the AML.

- 1947: The Statute of Algeria: Algerian Assembly creating a hundred and twenty members, with two colleges in equal numbers, one representing mainly Europeans (more than 800,000 people), the other Algerians ( over 7 million). The MTLD and UDMA reject this inequality Representative. In February, Congress created a special organization MTLD illegal (OS) to organize the armed struggle.

- 1949: "Berber crisis" within the MTLD. Ben Bella arrives at the head of the OS.

- 1952: Messali Hajj is expelled from Algeria.

- 1954: Split between centralist and Messalists within MTLD, with eventual creation of NAM. October 10 is based on FLN (and its armed wing the NLA), which calls for insurrection on November ^1, after a first night of attacks on Algerian territory. For Mitterrand, Minister of the Interior, "Algeria is France."

The stagnation of the conflict

- 1955: end of January, Jacques Soustelle was appointed Governor General, and secretly began negotiations with the FLN. April 3, Faure declares state of emergency. On 20 August, thousands of peasants from North Constantine rebelled, causing a bloody repression. First reminder of conscripts.

- 1956: Rene Coty appoints Guy Mollet as prime minister. Creation of a Ministry of Algeria. Mollet, booed in Algiers, to replace Catroux by Robert Lacoste. March 12 is passed the law on special powers: the executive can govern by decree in Algeria in the economic, administrative and law enforcement. August 20th: congress of the FLN Soummam, setting up the platform of the Algerian revolution. Tensions rise between the FLN (joined by Ferhat Abbas) and the MNA. In November, France is engaged in the campaign against Nasser of Egypt, whom they suspect of supporting Algerian independence. The year 1956 is generally that of a hardening of the conflict, even if the government refuses to talk about "war". New sending conscripts.

- 1957: between January and October takes place the Battle of Algiers, the struggle between French troops led by General Massu and the separatists who have committed numerous attacks. In late May, the bloody rivalry between the FLN and the MNA culminates in the massacre of Melouza. May 21, the Mollet government fall.

De Gaulle and the threat of civil war

- 1958: the political situation in France continues to deteriorate (Gaillard government fell in April). May 13, the general government of Algiers was taken by the General Salan and Massu. It appeals to De Gaulle, who invested on June ^1, made ​​a triumphant visit to Algeria ("I have understood you!" But also "Long live French Algeria" ...). September 19 is created by the FLN, the GPRA, which denies "the peace of the brave" proposed by De Gaulle. September 28, the French vote "yes" to the referendum on the Constitution. De Gaulle between civil and military powers and appoint generals and Delouvrier Challe instead of Salan.

- 1959: Challe plans and Constantine. On 16 September, General de Gaulle gave a speech on self-determination of the Algerians.

- 1960: end of January, barricades week in Algiers, the French Algerians refuse self-determination of Muslim Algerians, and protest against the recall of Massu. General Challe restored order. June 14, De Gaulle advocates a "Algerian Algeria" (and "Algerian Republic" in November). Timid start negotiations with the GPRA. September 6, publication of the Manifesto of the 121.

The independence of Algeria

- 1961: January 8, the referendum on self-determination of Algeria collects 75% "yes" on the mainland, and 69% in Algeria. De Gaulle recognizes the principle of independence. In February, creation of the OAS. April 23: generals' putsch in Algiers, it is a failure. May 20, official opening of negotiations with the GPRA in Evian, and truce. Early withdrawal of troops from Algeria (France has mobilized more than 400,000 soldiers). The attacks of the OAS are increasing. On 17 October, police violently repressed a demonstration organized by the FLN in Paris.

- 1962: OAS attacks continue, but the Evian accords were signed on March 18. Several weeks of great tension in Algeria (including the uprising led by General Salan), until the proclamation of the independence on July 3 (despite the break between the FLN and ALN). Two days later, the massacre of Oran: Blackfoot and harkis should leave Algeria, mostly abandoned by the French power. August 22: attack of the OAS at the Petit-Clamart against De Gaulle. On 26 September, the government has invested Ben Bella in Algeria.