The History of the French Occupation of Algeria

The French occupation of Algeria was a period of colonial rule that lasted from 1830 to 1962. It began with a military invasion of Algiers, the capital of the Ottoman Regency of Algiers, and ended with the Algerian War of Independence, which resulted in Algeria becoming an independent state.

The Invasion and Conquest of Algeria

The French invasion of Algiers was triggered by a diplomatic incident known as the Fan Affair, which occurred in 1827. The incident involved an argument between Hussein Dey, the ruler of the Ottoman Regency of Algiers, and the French consul over unpaid debts and a symbolic fan. The argument escalated into a naval blockade by France, which lasted for three years. In 1830, France decided to launch a military expedition to seize Algiers and end the blockade

The French army landed near Algiers on June 14, 1830, and faced little resistance from the Ottoman forces. On July 5, 1830, Hussein Dey surrendered and handed over the keys of the city to the French commander. The French occupation of Algiers marked the end of three centuries of Ottoman rule in Algeria

However, the French conquest of Algeria was not limited to Algiers. The French army soon expanded its control over other coastal cities and towns, such as Oran and Constantine. The French also faced resistance from various indigenous groups, such as the Berbers of Kabylia and the Arabs of the interior. One of the most prominent leaders of the resistance was Emir Abdelkader, who founded an Islamic state in western Algeria and fought against the French for 15 years. He was eventually captured and exiled in 1847

The French conquest of Algeria was completed by 1902, after a series of campaigns and treaties that subdued or pacified the remaining rebellious regions. By then, Algeria had become a colony of France, divided into three administrative departments: Algiers, Oran and Constantine

The Colonial Rule and Resistance in Algeria

The French colonial rule in Algeria was characterized by a system of inequality and discrimination between the European settlers (the colons or pieds-noirs) and the native Muslim population (the Algerians). The colons enjoyed political and economic privileges, such as representation in the French parliament, access to land and resources, and exemption from taxes and military service. The Algerians were subjected to harsh laws that restricted their civil rights, such as the Code de l’Indigénat (the Native Code), which imposed penalties for minor offenses and allowed collective punishment. The Algerians were also exploited as cheap laborers and conscripted soldiers for France’s wars abroad

The colonial rule also had a profound impact on the social and cultural aspects of Algeria. The French attempted to assimilate or civilize the Algerians by imposing their language, education, religion and values on them. The French also tried to undermine or destroy the traditional structures and institutions of Algerian society, such as tribal solidarity, Islamic law and Sufi brotherhoods. The French also encouraged immigration from other European countries, such as Spain, Italy and Malta, to increase their settler population and dilute the Algerian identity

The colonial rule also faced resistance from various segments of Algerian society throughout its history. Some examples of resistance movements are:

• The Mokrani Revolt (1871): A rebellion led by Sheikh Mokrani and other tribal chiefs in Kabylia against conscription and land confiscation by the French.
• The Margueritte Revolt (1901): A revolt led by Cheikh Bouamama in western Algeria against taxation and military service imposed by the French.
• The Messali Hadj Movement (1926-1954): A nationalist movement founded by Messali Hadj that advocated for Algerian independence from France through peaceful means.
• The Étoile Nord-Africaine (1926-1937): A radical nationalist movement founded by Messali Hadj that advocated for Algerian independence from France through armed struggle.
• The Parti du Peuple Algérien (1937-1954): A nationalist party founded by Messali Hadj that continued his political struggle for Algerian independence from France.
• The Association des Oulémas Musul