Topic > Overview of the History of the Algerian Revolution

Every war has a main conflict, defined as two or more sides fighting for opposing ideas to achieve a certain goal. This study focuses on coercive tactics used by opposing parties ranging from threats to violent coercion. War occurs when the conflicting parties have different interests and the complexity of the conflict varies. Factors such as money, security and recognition of state authority have a higher significance than intangible factors such as values ​​and ideologies. According to the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict, conflict is defined as “a clash of interests between countries regarding their national values ​​that significantly affects both parties who are willing to pursue their interests to the end successfully ”. An accurate analysis of international conflict must include three crucial factors which include the parties involved, the incompatibilities and the war process. Indeed, “the use of the state of emergency was the most obvious link between the Algerian war and the use of coercion and repression.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay For this study, the war between Algeria and France is viewed from the interesting perspective of the ethnic security dilemma theory in domestic politics. The ethnic security dilemma theory is based on the idea that a state government poses the gravest threat to any minority group within the country. Ethnic identity is an important element in group conflicts, and the government can mobilize state resources to commit genocide (eradicate a particular group). “The dilemma of ethnic security therefore arises when a particular group attempts to control state authority, and the situation rapidly degenerates into war,” Shiping Tang relied on the famous BHJ formulation (Butterfield, Herz and Jervis). Intrinsically, “in international politics, anarchy is the root of the ethnic dilemma.” In a state characterized by anarchy, conflicting parties cannot be certain of their opponent's intentions and therefore operate in constant fear. Due to uncertainty and constant fear, the government may resort to accumulating power to coerce the enemy by all means. As a result, the dynamics of the situation turns into racism, violence and finally culminates in war. There are three essential factors that influence the ethnic security dilemma; accumulation of power, anarchy and conflicting interests. “Other factors are negligible as they do not control the theory.” Although the definition of conflict revolves around international states, the war between Algeria and France will be considered from the international perspective. Additionally, the study will evaluate how the war unfolded along ethnic lines that included culture, language and religion. Indeed, “the Algerian War of Liberation provided an opportunity to strengthen French coercive power.” To effectively understand the Algerian War, it is imperative to reflect on the mutual relationship between Algeria and France. Historians often suggest that the conflict was complex and cannot be adequately explained since the war took place on three fronts: first there is the internal Algerian war (between the Messalists and the FLN), then there is the internal French war and finally the decolonization of the country. Algeria from France. The year “1956 is nicknamed the year the Franco-Algerian War entered the global consciousness.” Efforts to conquer Algeria began in 1830, shortly after the French consul in Algeria was sadly humiliated. The struggles of conquest lasted until 1947, the contingent managed toconquer the city of Algiers in a period of three weeks, although it suffered light losses. However, France was engaged in a bloody battle that lasted many years before taking total control of Algeria. In the late 1950s, a radical section of Algeria's Jewish leaders responded by reconsidering their history and background. “French colonization profoundly affected society in Algeria. Indeed, "between 200,000 and 500,000 Harki helped the French fight against the Algerians of the NFL." First, the French established a new administrative system. Second, the French dismantled and totally changed the land ownership system in Algeria. Finally, the arrival of the settlers completely transformed the structure of society in Algeria. By the end of the First World War, 791 thousand French citizens (representing about a third of the Algerian population at the time) had settled in Algeria. ​Not only did the French dismantle the property system in Algeria, but they also destroyed social security and nearly annihilated the traditional education system. In addition to influencing the economic structure of Algeria, the French also dramatically transformed the social and cultural environment of the society. Although protagonists such as Napoleon III emphasized the need for French equality towards Muslims, the reality was harsh. In the late 19th century, discrimination against Muslims was similar to that faced by blacks in the American South. During the colonization of Algeria, the French implemented a policy in 1938 that established French as the official language and shunned Arabic as a foreign dialect. In the year 1962, “the French state organized itself to “reject Muslims” from the French colonies.” France had vast protectorates and colonies, but Algeria was an integral part of the colonial power: Algeria was a department of France based only on a different continent. . Officially declaring Algeria as an integral part of France on par with Burgundy or the Isle of Normandy in 1880, “the French built hospitals, schools and roads, as well as established public administration in Algeria to create a lasting legacy.” The French colonist barely recognized the Algerians. However, a group of educated Muslims managed to start a revolution against French colonization. The Young Algerians were the first organized revolutionary movement that opposed the discrimination of French rule. Indeed, “the French states in Algeria have strengthened their organizational role and the leading French state has improved its role as an organizer and encourager of racial interests.” Meanwhile, the Young Algerians insisted that the French authorities review discriminatory policies towards indigenous people. The ideas promulgated by these educated individuals instigated a revolt hostile to French rule in Algeria. The demands of Algerian youth gained legitimate recognition from French politicians who began to craft reforms that would expand the civil and political rights of marginalized groups towards the end. of the war. However, the stubborn French colonists were determined to destroy the revolution. Before the First World War, the Algerian Youth Movement was the only substantial revolution. After World War II, the revolution gained momentum as the Algerian masses (including Algerians in the diaspora) organized themselves into political parties that challenged French rule. There has been political turmoil in terms of different perspectives among the Algerian movements. Until the end of the Second World War, young Algerians argued that the country could not sustainably sustain itself except under the aegis ofFrance. The Association of Ulama of Algeria was more driven by the pursuit of Salafi education and political and religious freedom for the masses. On the other hand, the North Algerian Star party (Etoile Nord-Africaine), fought for the total independence of Algeria and its symbol was subsequently adopted as the country's official flag. The Algerian revolution escalated dramatically after the end of World War II, which left the French country vulnerable. The different political movements in Algeria converged sensing the opportunity to attack the French regime. Governor Weygand's attempts to appease the Algerian masses through inclusive policies were futile. To make matters worse, Ferhat Abbas published the Algerian manifesto citing the Atlantic Charter which guaranteed democratic government. Furthermore, the revival was fueled by American President Wilson's statements regarding colonization. Wilson insisted that the resolution of the colonial conflict should be approached impartially, taking into account the interests of the natives. The first visible effects of the revolution became “visible on March 8, 1945 during the global celebration of the end of the Second World War.” The events that left several Muslims dead in the town of Setif were unclear, but provoked retaliation from angry Algerians and the French, who in turn responded with brutal force. “There were more than 26,000 attacks in 1956.” May 8 marked the definitive awareness of the harsh coexistence of the French. War broke out in Algeria and lasted until 1962. Approximately 300,000 Algerians and 30,000 French lost their lives in the war. As made clear in the brief history of the Algeria-France relationship, Algeria was considered an integral part of France, but the colonial laws were discriminatory towards France. the Algerian community. In theory, Algerians could successfully acquire French citizenship provided they converted to Christianity. Not only were there few such requests, but the French administration rejected most of the requests. The fact that colonial policies required Algerians to convert to Christianity and then denied them citizenship was in fact a form of ethnic discrimination. Although there were no explicit policies, the integration of the Algerian and French communities was virtually unachievable due to the implicit laws of behavior that segregated them. Obviously, the Algerians were mostly Arabs and had different origins from their colonizers. Ibn Badis defined Algerians: my religion is Islam, my language is Arabic, and my homeland is Algeria. Religion was also a central factor in the conflict. Although the FNL congress insisted that the Soumman Declaration separate religious issues from those of the larger state, “in 1962, they exercised control over the Algerian population by prohibiting the use of tobacco under the pretext of Islam.” Ideally, the conflict was based along ethnic lines. Anarchy is an evident concept witnessed in the Algerian revolution in the context of the security dilemma. Although the anarchy in Algeria was not up to international standards, colonial control was less limited in some areas than others. Indeed, World War II dramatically diminished France's ability to efficiently control its colonies outside of France. Additionally, the natives faced numerous power issues following the wars. Rommel's defeat against the Muslims greatly affected their faith. Furthermore, neither party to the conflict intended to harm the other. The French only wanted to keep Algeria in a subordinate position. On the one hand, the,.