History 594: Comparative Revolutions Robert Blackey

Study Guide for “The Battle of Algiers” (1966)

° The Algerian Revolution (1954-62) concerned the crisis of colonialism & the struggle for independence.

° Think about why the FLN wanted independence for Algeria & why the French resisted.

° What role did the need for organization play for Algerians bent on revolution and achieving independence?

° What role did the need for establishing high moral standards among the people play (i.e., in trying to rid the city of vice)?

° What was the purpose of the various attacks against & killings of policemen at the start of the violence against the French?

° Think about the purpose & degree of success the French had in sealing off the Arab quarters of the city.

° Compare the quality of life in the French & Arab (Kasbah) quarters. How did the differences contribute to growing tensions?

° People from both sides called those from the other side murderers. What purposes & consequences did this have?

° The role played by Algerian women was critical. Think about what they did, including how they helped the revolution & at what cost to them.

° Compare the effectiveness of the checkpoints set up by the French with modern-day security against terrorism.

° The French brought in the military to secure order; it was commanded by Lt. Col. Mathieu, a decorated survivor of campaigns in WWII & Indochina. Was he wise to go after the FLN’s organizational structure, which he likened to a pyramid? He wanted to be given a free hand to get the job done. What are the advantages & disadvantages of giving the commander on the scene a free hand?

° What was the purpose of the FLN’s call for a general strike among Algerians? How successful was the strike?

° Ben M’Hidi, one of the leaders of the revolution, explains to Ali how acts of violence don’t win revolutions and how terror tactics are good but only for a start. But then the people themselves must act. He also notes that it is hard to start a revolution but harder to sustain it much less win it. And then, after victory, he concludes, that’s when the real difficulties begin. Think about the wisdom and significance of Ben M’Hidi’s words.

° During the strike the French troops went on the offensive, rounding up strikers, questioning them as they tried to dismantle the FLN’s organization & divide Algerians. How effective was this policy?

° Mathieu said that political will & the support of the French people, in France, would be needed for the French to win. How critical was this?

° The key question, said Mathieu, is whether the French shall remain in Algeria (where they had been for 130 years). If the answer is to be yes, as it was for the French at first, then nothing, including torture, is illegal. Is this how a civilized country is supposed to act? How might such dilemmas be resolved?

° The actual Battle of Algiers was lost (with the leader killed or captured), but in time the revolution was won (July 2, 1962). How do you explain this?