Socio-Political Landscape of French-Algerian History

French-ruled Algeria

Period from 1830 to 1962 under French control.

Native Algerians

Majority population group in Algeria, primarily Berber and Arab.

French settlers

European immigrants, mainly from France.

Indigenous Berber tribes

Dominant ethnic group in Algeria before French conquest.

Arab expansion

7th-century movement bringing Arabs to North Africa.

Population in 1950s

8 million native Algerians, 1 million French settlers.

Native languages

Arabic and Berber (Tamazight) spoken by Algerians.

Religion of indigenous Algerians

Over 90% were Sunni Muslims.

Colons

French settlers who moved to Algeria post-conquest.

Full citizenship rights

Only French settlers had these in 1954.

Étoile Nord-Africaine (ENA)

Nationalist group advocating for Algerian independence.

Parti du Peuple Algérien (PPA)

Radical group seeking full independence for Algeria.

Algerian Muslim Reformist Movement

Focused on reforming Islamic practices and education.

FLN (National Liberation Front)

Group that fought for Algerian independence.

Constituency of FLN

Supported by rural peasantry and urban workers.

Rebellions of 1958 and 1960

Supported by French settlers and military for French rule.

Algerian Revolution outcomes

Independence gained in 1962; FLN became ruling party.

Ahmed Ben Bella

First president of independent Algeria post-1962.

Pied-noirs

French settlers who left Algeria after independence.

Algeria's government in 1965

One-party socialist government under Houari Boumédiène.

Socialist ideology

Emphasized state control over the economy.

Dissatisfied Berbers

Felt marginalized by the Arab-dominated government.

Islamists in late 1980s

Opposed secular policies, sought an Islamic state.

Islamic Salvation Front (FIS)

Attempted to overthrow the government in the 1990s.

Civil war in 1990s

Resulted from military intervention against FIS.

The Battle of Algiers

Film depicting urban warfare during the revolution.

Portrayal in film

Showed FLN struggles and French military brutality.

Omissions in film

Did not cover broader political contexts or aftermath.