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Algeria: Struggle For Independence
Jake Merjan
World History- Hjelmgren
Per 1 May 5, 2009
Since the mid 1800’s, Algeria still has been a colony of France. Ahmed Ben Balla, an ex-French sergeant, thought that it was time to see his homeland of Algeria break free from French rule. “The French Colonization of Algeria has lasted for over 100 years and that is long enough…” (Ahmed Ben Balla). He assembled an army, the National Liberation Front, to fight the French.
On November 1, 1954, the National Liberation Front initiated the Algerian War by attacking police stations, small government buildings, boat docks and public utilities all throughout Algeria. Soon after the attack, the French sent forces into Algeria. For eight long hard years these two forces fought, but French forces were defeated and driven out of Algeria. To conclude the war, Charles De Gaulle, the French President, declared Algeria as an independent state on July 1, 1962.
After Algerian forces defeated the French, it was evident that the man who led Algeria to victory, Ahmed Ben Balla, was to become the first president in 1962. Algerian independence gave such joy to all Algerians, but none more than Ahmed Ben Balla. Coming from a very poor family and being forced into the French Army during World War 2, Algerian independence was an unimaginable dream. That unimaginable dream became a reality. For Ahmed to live a majority of his life in poverty and be the hero of his homeland is truly an unbelievable accomplishment.
While being colonized by the French, Algeria still kept many old traditions, including their dialects. The official language in Algeria is Arabic and in southern Algeria many tribes speak Berber dialects. Directly after the war, Ahmed Ben Balla and Charles De Gaulle signed the Evian Accord (1963), which allowed French citizens in Algeria three years of citizenship and assured peace between France and Algeria. The treaty lasted until 2006, when Abdelaziz Bouteflika refused to sign the treaty, which has currently worsened Algerian and French relations (New York Times).
Annotated Bibliography
Adams, Geoffrey. “French Algerian War.” 1998. Taylor and Francis. April 28,
2009. <nnbd.com/topics/416/600
This source was helpful because it discusses France and Algeria’s post-war relations.
Daley, Suzan. “France Seeking Trial, After Algerian War.” 2001. New York
Times. April 29, 2009. <nytimes.com/2001/29/.France
This source was useful because it talks about France and Algeria’s relations with each other.
“Introducing Algeria.” 2003. April 29, 2009. <lonelyplanet.com/Algeria/9312>
This source was helpful because it told me the languages and ethnicities of Algeria.
“War of Independence.” Apr 29, 2009. <http://mytholoke.edu/-
easolojo/algeria/1962.htm>
This source was helpful because it gave me information on Ahmed Ben Balla.
Last updated Jake Merjan May 21, 2009
