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Home , Alain Savary, Algerian War, Edgar Faure, Edmond Jouhaud, First Indochina War, Krim Belkacem

Joint Crisis: Algerian of -

JHUMUNC 2017 1 Joint Crisis: of Independence - France

Topic A: The Grand Ensemble and the Algerian War

Topic B: Domestic Challenges and the Challenge to French Identity

Overview committee and its legislative board, the The French-Algerian War occurred Algerian cabinet. between 1954-1962, spanning the Fourth and Fifth Republics of France. The war was Parliamentary Procedure not limited to conflict between French For this committee, we will follow colonial authorities and Algerian standard parliamentary procedure. We will nationalists, but also involved civil divide on remain in moderated caucus, unless a the Algerian front between populations of motion for an unmoderated caucus is different cultural backgrounds, religions, motioned and approved. Standard voting and toward the future of the state. procedure will be observed, and any This committee opens in 1955 and serves as differences regarding procedures will be the managerial body of the French subject to the decision of the chair and dais government, the French Cabinet, with Rene staff. Gustav Coty as the director, who will be represented by the chair. Delegates are responsible for evaluating domestic and Delegate Biographies foreign challenges simultaneously. Part of Maurice Bougrès-Maunoury the committee will revolve around growing Maunoury played an important role resistance in the French colony of , as the leader in the , a while another segment will address the movement to interfere with the Nazi internal challenges faced by the French occupation of France. Following the end of government, which affect the future World War II, Borges served as minister for structure of the government and all of several different seats including defense, France. Take into consideration the interior, public works, and finance1. historical context of the committee; outlooks of the mid-twentieth century do not necessarily match those of the twenty-first century. Through crisis updates, notes and Faure was a member of the French directives, delegates can attempt to further Resistance and a known French Radical, but their own ‘political careers’ within the was the leader of the more conservative committee as the government faces domestic wing in his party. In 1955, he served as issues that are in need of restructuring. The decisions of this dynamic committee will 1 “Maurice Bourges-Maunoury.” Orlando directly affect the corresponding crisis Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 1993. Web. 11 July 2016.

2 Prime Minister to France for a short period the war in Indochina7. In 1954, he became of time2. Following the Constantine the prime minister to France and ended Massacre, in which Algerian guerilla French involvement in Indochina. fighters went around to European houses and murdered men, women, and children, François Mitterrand Faure made an unpopular decision to deploy Following World War II, Mitterrand more military forces to Algeria. became significantly involved in the Jacque Soustelle political arena of France. By 1950, he had become the Overseas Minister of France, Anthropologist and politician, Jacque where he frequently denied the colonial Soustelle, began as a strong leftist. He was lobby8. As a direct response to the war, in one of the first to stand behind Charles de 1955, Mitterrand famously stated “Algeria is Gaulle’s forces following the fall of France France.” By 1956 he gained the role of to Germany and joined the Free French Justice Minister, expressing support for the forces3. He later became the director of application of in Algeria9. intelligence operations in . He was later appointed governor- of Algeria in 19554. Though many feared his liberal education background, Soustelle favored Alain Savary was a French politician integration among Algerians and the French5 born in Algiers, Algeria and was well known for his policies as Education minister that drastically changed the French education Pierre Mendes-France system10. Savary joined the Resistance and Pierre Mendes-France was a notable leftist socialist politician in the French post war later served under ’s era. After serving in the Free French air government in postwar France. However, he force, Mendes-France joined Charles de later joined the as minister of Gaulle’s ministry6. Though his policies were Moroccan and Tunisian affairs, only to leave unpopular, he gained popularity in France as a sign of protest following the hijacking once again as a critic against the of an airplane carrying an Algerian government’s policies, most notably against nationalist leader11. His opposition to French

2 “Edgar Faure, 79, Dies in France; Twice a Postwar Prime Minister.” New York Times. New 7 The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. York Times, 31 Mar. 1988. Web. 11 July 2016. “Pierre Mendes-France.” Encyclopedia 3 Cook, Joan. ", Leader in Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Fight For a , Dies at 78." New Web. 11 July 2016. York Times. New York Times, 9 Aug. 1990. 8 “Entretiens inédits François Mitterrand – Web. 11 July 2016. Marguerite Duras” éd. Sonores Frémeaux & 4 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Associés, 2007. "Jacques Soustelle." Encyclopedia Britannica 9 “Les guillotines de Mitterrand – Le Point.” Le Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11 Point.FR. 7 December 2014. July 2016. 10 AP. “Alain Savary, 69, French Official Who 5 Ibid. Set Off Protests Over Schools.” New York 6 Waggoner, Walter. “Mendes-France, Who Times. New York Times, 18 Feb. 1988. Web. 11 Lead France Out of Indochina, is Dead at 75.” July 2016. New York Times. New York Times, 19 Oct. 11 The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. 1982. Web. 11 July 2016. “Alain Savary.” Encyclopedia Britannica

3 , especially in Algeria, lead him played a notable role in forming the Fourth to officially leave the Socialist party in Republic in France, but resigned his post as 1958. president when his request for a strong presidential power was unpopular16. A nationalist, de Gaulle successfully A member of the Socialist party, strengthened France in its place in the Guy Mollet served as Prime Minister from international community and also went on to 1956-1957. However, his leadership was short lived due to his inability to address the grant independence to Algeria, though the Algerian rebellion12. Mollet, in his attempt decision was controversial, not least in the to deal with Algerian insurgents, sent French light of de Gaulle’s 1958 declaration "Vive conscript to Algeria and failed to negotiate l'Algérie française !" (lit. "Long live French with Algerian rebels. Mollet’s failure to deal Algeria!") with the rebellion in addition to blaming for supplying aid to the rebels Raoul Albin Louis Salan resulted in Mollet’s decision to join Britain Raoul Albin Louis Salan was a in its occupation of the Suez Canal13. French general, founder of the Secret Army Organization (OAS), and sought to 17 overthrow de Gaulle . The OAS, under Ausaresses was a senior French Salan’s leadership, was a right-wing terrorist officer who fought during World War II, the organization that worked to maintain French , and the Algerian control over Algeria and campaign against War14. However, forty years following the de Gaulle’s rule over both France and Algerian War, Ausaresses opened up about Algeria. Though he was one of the the , executions, and other inhumane who supported de Gaulle’s return to power tactics he used against Algerian guerilla in the Fifth Republic, he quickly changed his fighters. Ausaresses, working under Jacques stance and attempted a military coup when Massu, was the main executioner15. de Gaulle became more supportive of giving Algeria its independence18. Charles de Gualle Charles de Gaulle was the general of Jacques Émile Massu the Free French forces during the Jacques Emile Massu, a well known Resistance. In the postwar era, Gaulle French general, fought to liberate in World War II, and also fought in the Suez

crisis, the in Indo-, and in Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11 19 July 2016. Algeria . Though a highly decorated 12 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Guy Mollet." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 16 Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970).” BBC. BBC, Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11 July n.d. Web. 11 July 2016. 2016. 17 Krebs, Albin. “LED ALGERIA PLOT.” The 13 Ibid. New York Times. The New York Times, 03 July 14 "French General Paul Aussaresses Who 1984. Web. 11 July 2016. Admitted Torture Dies at 95." The Guardian. 18 Ibid. 15 Martin, Douglas. “Paul Aussaresses, 95, Who 19 Kaufman, Michael T. “Jacques Massu, 94, Tortured Algerians, Dies.” New York Times. General Wo Led Battle of Algiers.” The New New York Times, 4 Dec. 2013. Web. 11 July York Times. The New York Times, 30 Oct. 2016. 2002. Web. 11 July 2016.

4 officer, he is most notorious for his left the air force in 1960 and had a deep leadership in Algeria. Military commander hatred for General de Gaulle.26 After during the Algeria’s fight for independence, General de Gaulle agreed to negotiate Massu turned to harsh measures and torture independence in Algeria, Jouhaud joined tactics to fight rebel insurgents. These three other generals in a coup to seize tactics proved to be successful in reducing power.27 After the coup failed in five days and almost eliminating terrorism in Algiers Jouhaud joined the Organisation Armée by the FLN20 Secrète and conducted killings and bombings in Algeria and France.28 Jouhaud was eventually arrested and sentenced to Maurice Challe was a general in 21 death, but ultimately only ended up serving Algeria and commander of the air force. 29 six years in prison. Before becoming a commander in Algeria, Challe had worked at the École de Guerre André Zeller Aérienne which was the School of Air War, André Zeller was a member of the and had been a part of the operation to Organisation Armée Secrète and was one of retake the from Egyptian the four generals who conducted a coups in Nationalists.22 Challe strongly opposed Algeria against the French government.30 French President Charles de Gaulle’s The group had a deep hatred of General de policies regarding , so Challe 31 along with three other generals staged a Gaulle and his decolonization policies. The coup in Algeria and Paris called the Algiers coup ultimately failed and the group Putsch23. This coup failed and Challe was proceeded to engage in bombings and 32 imprisoned from 1961 until 1966 when he killings before the members’ arrests. Zeller was granted amnesty. 24 was ultimately imprisoned for 6 years before 33 his eventual release. Marcel Bigard Edmond Jouhaud worked for France served as a in Indochina as an air force commander and commander in Algeria.34 He took a major in Algeria as the air force chief of staff.25 He

20 “Obituary: General Jacques Massu.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 27 Oct. 26 Ibid. 2002. Web. 11 July 2016. 27 Ibid. 21 Naylor, Phillip C. "Challe, Maurice [1905– 28 Ibid. 1979]." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle 29 Ibid. East and North . Ed. Philip Mattar. 2nd 30 "Organisation Armée Secrète (Secret Army ed. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Reference Organization)." Encyclopedia of Race and USA, 2004. 579. World History in Context. . Ed. John Hartwell Moore. Vol. 2. Web. 11 July 2016. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 388- 22 Ibid. 389. World History in Context. Web. 11 July 23 Ibid. 2016. 24 Ibid. 31 Ibid. 25 "OBITUARY / General Edmond Jouhaud 32 Ibid. Rebelled against De Gaulle." Globe & 33 Ibid. Mail [Toronto, Canada] 5 Sept. 1995: D4. World 34 "General Marcel History in Context. Web. 11 July 2016. Bigeard." Independent [, ] 1 July

5 role in .35 Bigeard was known for his harsh methods which often Roger Trinquier worked at the included torture and bombing of civilians36. airborne base and was a main participant in Bigeard believed that these harsh methods the Battle of Algiers.46 Trinquier then were necessary.37 proceeded to fight in several different regiments in Algeria. Trinquier had previously worked in Indochina.47 Trinquier Yves Godard was a general in is famous for his book and Algeria.38 Godard had previously fought in 39 especially for his support of torture if , , and Indochina. 48 Godard used harsh tactics, including torture, applied with strict guidelines. 40 in his interrogation techniques. Godard Fernand Gambiez was part of the putsch against France and Gambiez was sent to Algeria to was subsequently imprisoned.41 maintain .49 He commanded an division initially before being promoted to inspector general and finally Lacoste was resident minister and becoming commander in chief.50 Before 42 governor general in Algeria. He strongly Algeria, Gambiez had fought in World War supported repression under any means II and in Indochina.51 Gambiez was arrested necessary and engaged in torture in order to 52 by the rebels during the Algiers putsch. enforce French control.43 He increased the number of departments in Algeria and Jean Crepin attempted to make the administration more Crepin was an army officer stationed 44 Algerian. Lacoste also supported plans to in Algeria.53 Crepin was eventually increase autonomy and Muslim promoted to commander in chief but he was representation. 45 distrusted because he seemed to be too close with de Gaulle.54 He had previously fought 55 2010: 8. World History in Context. Web. 11 July in Indochina like many other generals. 2016. 35 Ibid. 36 Ibid. 46 Trinquier, Roger. Modern Warfare; a French 37 Ibid. View of . New York: Praeger, 38Tucker, Spencer. Encyclopedia of Insurgency 1964. Print and Counterinsurgency: A New Era of Modern 47 Ibid. Warfare. Santa Barbra: ABC-CLIO, 2013. Print. 48 Ibid. 39 Ibid. 49Turanel, Eudes. "Général Fernand Gambiez, 40 Ibid. Fondateur Du 1er Choc." France. N.p., 29 Mar. 41 Ibid. 2016. Web. 11 July 2016. 42 Naylor, Phillip C. "Lacoste, Robert [1898– 50 Ibid. 1989]." Encyclopedia of the Modern Middle 51 Ibid. East and . Ed. Philip Mattar. 2nd 52 Ibid. ed. Vol. 3. New York: Macmillan Reference 53 Johnson, Douglas. "Obituary: General Jean USA, 2004. 1362-1363. World History in Crepin." Independent [London, England] 9 May Context. Web. 11 July 2016. 1996: 12. World History in Context. Web. 11 July 2016. 54 Ibid. 45 Ibid. 55 Ibid.

6 Crepin was the youngest five star general in 56 Topic A: The Grand Ensemble the . and the Algerian War Jacques Marie Alfred Gaston Faure Jacques Faure was a general in Introduction Algeria.57 Faure originally planned a coup The Algerian against the French government in 1956 began in 1954 and consisted of a conflict which was never carried out and he received greater than just the violent decolonization thirty days of arrest in the barracks.58 Faure of a French territory. This war also included was then one of the generals who took part the use of , domestic in the Algiers Putsch.59 He was imprisoned terrorism, and the violent shattering of ethnic, religious, and cultural relations until 1966 and had his rank of major general 60 between and within the people of France and reinstated in 1974. Algeria. The committee will begin in late 1955 in the early stages of conflict. For the first topic, delegates will take into account the events unfolding domestically in France as well as across the Mediterranean in Algeria, ultimately directing the future of a crumbling French system of governance. Please keep in mind the development of the Algerian state in relation to France in comparison to other territorial expansions in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

French troops disembarking on the island of Mogador, in Essaouira bay in 1844 61 56 Ibid. (Public Domain Lithography by Mayer) 57 "Ecole Supérieure De Guerre." NB FAURE Jacques-Marie-Alfred-Gaston. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July 2016. 58 Ibid. 61 Lakhdar, Omar. Bombardment of 59 Ibid. Mogador. November, 1844. Castello Real a 60 Ibid. Amagdour

7 History and Background and gained control over much of the country’s farmland64. France continued to Information assert its power by digressing from Algiers The history of the relationship to surrounding regions. between France and Algeria was relatively It is often accepted that the French short compared to the length of many other gained enough control to smother Algerian relationships between a colonizing European national resistance by 1847 with the power and a colonized foreign state. After abdication of an Algerian ‘Sharif’, Charles X was restored to the French Abdelkader El Djezairi’65. A religious and monarchy in 1824, an attempt was made to military leader, Djezairi led a struggle and increase the popularity of this Bourbon eventually a military campaign against the Restoration and stir feelings of 62 French during the mid 19th century. Within and patriotism . Depending on the approach Algeria, his efforts to unite the country used in analyzing the relationship, there are against foreign invaders and his ability to numerous points at which one could identify combine religious and political authority has as the beginning of tensions. However, the led to his being acclaimed as the "Saint most widely accepted event marking the among the Princes, the Prince among the beginning of the French of Saints"66. Algeria occurred in 1827. Algeria was still This set the stage for the birth of the under Ottoman control, and after a 20th century nationalistic conflict over disagreement an Ottoman ruler struck the 63 Algeria. On the one hand, the French settlers French consul with a fly wisk . Charles X supported by the French state were putting took this as an insult and from that point on, down roots in Algeria, and on the other the French domination of Algeria increased. hand, the first organized resistance had This caused the situation to quickly escalate emerged. This was the beginning of long to a naval blockade against the capital’s nationalistic memories on both sides which port, following which France invaded and ultimately were torn apart in the Algerian seized the capital of Algiers in 1830 while War. rapidly taking control of other coastal After gaining control of Algeria, the communities. Additional French military French significantly increased the number of forces were brought over in the following European settlers in the area while the years to quell resistance within the interior Muslim population continued to grow of the country and help retain control over drastically. Despite the fact that the Muslim their new territory. From that point, the population far outnumbered that of the French domination of Algeria reached new European settlers, the Europeans received heights when the French seized many economic and political superiority. Algerian religious buildings, looted homes in Algiers,

64 Ibid. 62 Horne, Alistair. A Savage War of Peace: Algeria, 1954-1962. New York: New York 65 “Abdelkader”. Encyclopedia Britannica. I: A- Review, 2006. Pp. 29-30. Print. Ak – Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, IL; Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. 2010. Pp. 18-19. 63 Abun-Nasr, Jamil. A history of the Maghrib in the Islamic period, p. 249 66 Bouyerdene 2012, Chapter 3

8 nationalists began to demand equal rights to merger with the Mouvement National their European counterparts, but these Algérien (MNA), or the Algerian National 69 demands were mostly ignored prior to Movement . The Algerian National World War II. After World War II, residual Movement remains viable because while the anger and resentment led to the spontaneous FLN represented a majority of Algerians’ killing of 88 French settlers, driving the beliefs, it does not uphold the thoughts of all Algerians. In reaction to the small, yet firm, French to retaliate by killing thousands of establishment of the MNA, the FLN has . As a result, in 1947 the Statute of reshaped its organizational structure to form Algeria was established, creating an a quasi- consisting assembly that included Muslims as a part of of a five-man executive, a legislative body the constituency. Still, this assembly and six territories - wilayas - with accomplished very little, and in 1954 the boundaries following those of the Ottoman FLN carried out attacks on various French administrative districts. This allows the FLN establishments in Algeria. to project its status among different factions, groups and tribes and gives it the upper hand Rise of the FLN in its dealings with other nationalist groups. The Front de Libération Nationale, The rise of the FLN, set in stark contrast to or National Liberation Front, is an Algerian the weakness, internal divisions and general socialist party formed in reaction to French diplomatic and financial decay of the Fourth rule and officially founded upon the French Republic, set the stage for the bitter, declaration of the Algerian War on violent and prolonged Algerian War. , 195467. The FLN mostly resists the lack of self-governance and the three different types of administrations that were used in Algeria that they claimed promoted discrimination against Muslims as the choice of administration depended on the racial distribution in that specific area. The FLN is an official establishment stemming from the Organisation spéciale, or Special Organisation, which is a semi-militarized force put together in 1947 in preparation for The army branch of the FLN70 against France. At its founding, the FLN consisted of five leaders. Following the formation of the organization in 1954, these The leaders have recruited and consolidated In the early morning hours of All Algerian nationalist organizations68. Saints day on November 1, 1954, FLN Although the FLN has absorbed nearly all guerillas launched 30 bombing attacks other nationalist bodies, it failed to form a throughout Algeria. Broadcasting from

69 S.N. Millar, “Arab Victory: Lessons from the 67 “The Multi-Party System in Algeria.” Yale Algerian War (1954-62)”, British Army Review, University. Accessed 11 July 2016. No. 145, Autumn 2008, p. 49. 68 Ruedy, John. “Algerian War of 70 Independence.” L’Armée de Liberation National. March, 2015. Warscapes.

9 , the FLN called on Muslims in Algeria later village elders and simple citizens are to join a national struggle to restore a commonplace.73 74 “sovereign, democratic and social” Algerian 71 state on the basis of Islamic principles . Financing the Algerian War Thus the occasion became known as the Politically, the FLN has worked to Toussaint Rouge (Red All-Saints' Day). coerce and convince the Algerian Muslim population to support its prosecution of the The FLN’s Use of Terrorism and war with financial contributions. Various Guerilla Warfare social organizations were sponsored or The FLN has gained control and created by the FLN, including labor unions, notoriety through the development, professional associations, students’ and expansion, and employment of its armed women’s organizations. These organizations, backed up by intellectual wing, the National Liberation Army. The justifications written by FLN’s political National Liberation Army is fighting not theorists, went on to lead opinion and to only for an independent role of Algeria, but drive support for the FLN. also its own independence as the sole force As the clout of the FLN grew, commanding Algeria. At the outbreak of the European settlers in the interior of Algeria War in 1954, the Algerian National were coerced into selling their land holdings Movement (MNA)72 is in competition with at a fraction of their value, further the FLN for “leadership” of the armed strengthening the economic base that was struggle for National Liberation, and so supporting the Front de Libération FLN’s guerrilla units have been fighting Nationale. against both France and the MNA. The FLN relies heavily on ambushes and night raids to evade the more superior Concluding Remarks organized French firepower and targeted As our nation works to recover from army, police, farms, mines, factories, World War II, our colony of Algeria is transportation and telecommunications bursting with insurgency. The rise of nationalism and the use of guerilla warfare facilities. tactics have made the problem difficult to Coercion of moderate elements and contain. The committee must work together their subjugation to a reign of terror has to solve this problem and defeat the FLN in been instrumental to the FLN. Kidnapping, order to retain the colony. mutilation, throat slitting, decapitation of Muslim officials of the colonial regime, and

71Wilkinson, Stephan. “Algerian Quagmire.” Military History 33, no. 3 (September 2016): 30. MasterFILE Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed 73 “Algerian National Liberation (1954-1962)” December 5, 2016). GlobalSecurity.org. 5 December 2016 72 “Military.” Algerian National Liberation 74 , A Savage War of Peace, pages (1954-1962). N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July 2016. 134–135

10 Questions the Committee Must Topic B: Domestic Challenges Address and the Challenge to French 1. Can colonial authority be maintained Identity with a weakened central state? If so, what measures should be enacted to Introduction ensure the continued control of The increasingly strained colonies, particularly Algeria? relationship between France and Algeria has 2. What methods could be used to not only challenged France’s relationship rebuild France to pre-war levels of with its colonial counterparts, but has strength and build authority within created domestic complications as well. the Algerian colony? Discerning national identity has became 3. How can France exploit the divisions increasingly difficult, but the French face between the FLN and MNA to challenges greater than simply classifying improve its strategic position in people as ‘French’ or ‘Algerian.’ By the Algeria? time of the French-Algerian war, ethnicity and religion are additional points of internal tension, with conflicts between Christians and Muslims becoming particularly heated.

History and Background Information In the colonial period between the mid 19th century and the present day (1955), Algeria has experienced an influx of European settlers from deprived regions in the south of Italy, Spain and France. While most immigrants are working class or peasants seeking a living, some are wealthy men drawn by the opportunity for large land-holdings. France even sent criminal and political deportees in large numbers. These people became known as the colons (settlers) and acquired an Algerian identity distinct from their original identity. They became self-serving and effectively sought to escape the orbit of France–as is common with all colonies throughout history–to the point that Napoleon III in the 1860’s sought a strategic alliance with the Arabs of Algeria with his grand visions of a royaume arabe (Arab kingdom) with himself as the roi des Arabes (king of the Arabs). His plan had two pillars: the restoration of tribal lands

11 and French citizenship status. The colons independent from France, but by would not let go of the seized lands and the the end of September 1945, French control Arabs took offense at the requirement to of Indochina had been restored.75 By 1946, give up their allegiance to Muslim the First Indochina War had begun; in the (religious) law causing Napoleon III’s plan same year, the 1946 to fall apart. Over the decades between established the Fourth Republic. This new Napoleon III and today (1955), the two political structure was plagued by inherent Algerian identities and the French identity political instability. There were three continue the march towards their eventual collision. dominant political parties, the Christian Today, France is in a state of Democratic Popular Republican Movement, geopolitical decline, which is also the case the , and the French for all the former colonial powers at the start Section of the Workers’ International, all of of the post-colonial era which began with which had starkly contrasting views.76 This the end of World War II. With the situation three-party system led to frequent forming in Indochina deteriorating, in France is in an and breaking of alliances, and the frequent especially weakened state and is ill- replacement of prime ministers. This was equipped to handle another war erupting in incredibly costly for the French government, Algeria. not only in terms of efficiency and ability to react to growing concerns, but also Impact of the Indochina War financially; by the beginning of the French- Control of Indochina was severely Algerian war, the French government threatened during World War II, as Chinese, needed millions of dollars per day simply to Japanese, British, and French soldiers were maintain the conflict in Indochina. present in the region while defending The growing expenses of an territories they thought belonged to them. Indochina war effort triggered anti-war The was also heavily involved sentiment across France, especially amongst in the region, as it was a strategic location the youth population and members of the during World War II to plan and enact anti- French Communist Party. Anti-war Japanese resistance. Near the end of the war, sentiment was marked by numerous public the American government expressed its demonstrations, particularly in cases such as disapproval of the French regime, the Henri Martin Affair, which served as an particularly through its diplomatic embarrassment to the young Fourth statements that argued that Indochina was in Republic. In 1950, Martin, a French- better condition before the French arrived. Communist activist, widely distributed anti- While anti-colonial movements had already French propaganda in Indochina calling for started in other countries’ territories, this the war to end. Similar activities included was the first time that another Western the case in which and other government had criticized another’s inability French militants deliberately impeded to maintain territorial control and this ammunition deliveries by rail into marked a shift in international attitude toward the French. On September 2, 1945, 75 “A Clash of Republics,”UC Press. Web. 8 declared the Democratic Republic of December 2016. 76 Ibid

12 Indochina.77 Later, stories of corruption destabilized France socially, morally, within the military, particularly of money politically and financially. It has been a laundering and arms training, surfaced, recipe for more instability, poor decision- causing the to increasingly making, and ultimately for failure in criticize and question the government.78 France’s Algerian decolonization policy. The final humiliation for France With France weakened and distracted, French liberal governors sent to Algeria came at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu79 earlier have been bullied, co-opted or otherwise this past spring. According to Anthony made to serve the colons own selfish James Joes, this decisive conflict between agendas, leaving France helplessly unable to the French side and General Giap’s Viet impose her own national interest in Algeria. Minh ended typically for the entire French effort in Vietnam: “flawed strategy, inadequate means, abundant heroism”.80 French Government Structure Vulnerable to Divisive French Politics in the There was a deeper source of weakness which, together with Indochina, contributed to the inability of France to set and follow a clear policy in Algeria. Since the French Revolution, conservative and authoritarian elements in French society turned out to have been fertile ground for the dictatorship of two Napoleons, each of whom replaced the Republic with their “Dien Bien Phu has Fallen” - front cover personal Empire. This gave rise to a peculiar of Le Parisien, 9th May 195481 trait of French republicanism that comprised Thus, for the better part of the the deep mistrust of a strong executive. decade immediately preceding the Algerian Thus, the Constitution of the French Fourth War, the conflict in Indochina has Republic provided for a weak President, a weak Prime Minister and a strong National Assembly. However, with France reeling 77 Watts, Philip. “Sartre’s Republic,” from World War II, and Indochina, Nottingham French Studies. Edinburgh this Assembly turned out to have been University Press, Web. 9 December 2016. unruly, undisciplined and chaotic, severely 82 78 Ibid destabilizing the French government and 79 James Joes, Anthony, Victorious rendering it unable to deal effectively with Insurgencies: Four Rebellions that Shaped Our the challenges caused by the onset of the World, p.118 ‘Dien Bien Phu: The Path to Dien Algerian War. Bien Phu’

80 Ibid. 81 Songs of Dien Bien Phu. August, 2012. 82 A Knapp, V Wright The Government and talkvietnam.com Politics of France, page 4

13 Algerian War Resistance massacres, torture and rapes in farms. The Pieds-Noirs represented a significant Movements number of French citizens who would not The FLN - Front Liberation accept Algerian Independence in any form86. Nationale - (National Liberation Front) was formed in 1954 from a splinter group of Internal Tensions Straining the paramilitary leaders from the so-called Special Organisation, who had been in French Identity hiding. The initial group of 5 leaders Today while the Algerian War heats expanded during the summer of 1954 and on up, the population of European settlers have November 1st, 1954, the FLN launched the deep historical roots in Algeria. As a result, Algerian War83. their sense of national identity has been pulled in different directions by the strains Safety, Security, and the Status of the War: “Unlike the military of of the Pieds-Noirs and , Algeria was a Complicating the French response to colonie de peuplement, or a settler the resistance was the presence of about 1 colony. As a result, the Français million non-Muslims of French nationality d’Algérie were generationally in Algeria, called Pieds-Noirs (“black feet”). implanted in their country after the Since the French invasion of 1830, mainly Algerian conquest in 1830. Because Catholic (but also a significant number of many Français d’Algérie had family Jewish) Europeans had moved to Algeria, ties in Algeria dating back more than becoming the prime political and economic a century, they felt that they had a force in the region even though they were a strong ancestral claim to the land. 84 numerical minority . From the beginning of The longevity of their presence in FLN operations in November 1954, Pieds- Algeria further created a more Noirs were immediately singled out as special culture and political climate perfect targets for anti-French military for the European settlers than it did action. Initially, the Pieds-Noirs believed in other colonies. Equally special to that they would be protected by the French Algeria is the difficulty of military, and that French forces would decolonization.”87 quickly overrun the opposition.85 But as the conflict heated up, the FLN carried out Potential Loss of Financial , bombings of cinemas and restaurants (places considered French), mass Support from Algeria The prevailing global economic th th 83 Tachau, Frank, Political Parties of the Middle model of the colonial era of the 18 and 19 East and North Africa, page 31 centuries was significantly challenged by the exertions and ravages of World War II. One 84 Kimmelman, Michael. "Footprints of Pieds- after the other, starting with India in 1947, noirs Reach Deep into France." New York Times. former colonial territories began fighting for New York Times, 5 Mar. 2005. Web. 14 Oct.

2016. 86 Idib 85 "Pied-Noir." LookLex Encyclopedia. 87 Hubbel, Amy, Remembering French Algeria, LookLex Encyclopedia, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. page 8 2016.

14 their independence from their weakened the state when it was found that French former colonial masters. While the parties troops torturing and summarily executing involved to worked to maintain existing FLN fighters. More than any other single levels of trade and financial support from cause, the Algerian war has started to erode the motherland for the former colony, the the foundations of the French state and independence presented an challenge to the challenge the loyalty of servants and state finances of colonial master countries, citizens89. including France, which by the mid 1950’s was reaching the end of its “second empire”. Questions the Committee Must At its peak in 1920, France was one of the largest empires in history, with French Address extending over 110 million 1. Can France afford to prosecute two people in 11,500,000 km2 of territory in all foreign wars at the same time, in the oceans of the world.88 But by 1954 as Indochina and Algeria? decolonization was progressing, the massive 2. Does France have a moral obligation loss of territory threatened France with to the and if so, what should potentially painful fiscal adjustment. be done for them? 3. What are the economic risks and opportunities for France and French Concluding Remarks companies if Algeria becomes The Algerian War brought to the independent? forefront deep divisions between the French, the colons (Pieds-Noirs), and the local tribal population. These divisions slowly accumulated from the colonial , until the local indigenous population spearheaded by the FLN and its military wing took matters in their own hands. To some extent, the 20th century decolonization process happened everywhere in the same era because one rebellious indigenous population in one country encouraged the other to rise up in arms against the colonial masters. However, in Algeria the situation has been much more fluid, with two local paramilitary groupings From left to right, the six historical that distrusted each other and patriotism Leaders of the National Liberation Front running high in both France and Algeria. (FLN): , Mostefa Ben Boulaïd, The government of France has an impossible Didouche Mourad, Mohammed Boudiaf, task in its hands. and Larbi Ben M'Hidi.90 The Algerian War is a source of political and financial instability; it has further enfeebled the country’s diplomatic 89 Knapp, A. Wright, V The Government and position, and undermined the moral basis of Politics of France, page 51

90 88 “Largest Empires in the History of the September 25, 1962: Algeria Declares World.” Inews. Independence from France. September, 2015, thenation.com

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