Algeria had one of the most violent decolonization processes in history. From 1830 to 1962, Algeria was a colony controlled and dominated by the French. French Algeria was created in 1827, when the French launched a war of conquest against the natives. They modernized the agricultural system and economy, however they did not help in many other ways. They lived separately from the Algerians, and enjoyed social and economic privileges others did not (Brown). Algerians were treated as second-class citizens in their own country. According to Khatun, Algeria was the ideal example of a French colony, “characterized by rabid racism, religious bigotry and exploitative capitalism” (79). This blatant imbalance of human rights led to a pronounced hatred
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The first organization to call for independence was L’Etoile Nord Africaine (Star of North Africa), or ENA. ENA was created by Messali Hadj in 1926 and was originally a group for Algerians in the workforce that wanted to advocate for the rights of North Africans. However, it quickly turned into a movement that would spark the opportunity for the biggest change in Algerian history. Hadj delivered a speech called “Fight Against French Imperialism!” in 1928. In his speech, Hadj attacked the French for using the glorified idea of imperialism as a way to completely silence and dominate over the people of Algeria. He also blamed colonization for the bulk of Algeria’s problems. Hadj proclaimed that the French were the reason that “11 million hectares of the best lands have been stolen, while the natives are pushed to the arid south and are decimated by periodic famines. Collective fines [have] hit entire villages, [and] sequestrations complete the ruin of the Algerian people, which is plunged into poverty” (1). Hadj also criticized France’s Code of Rights and Citizenship, a …show more content…
These groups provided support for a nationalist movement because of the message they spread throughout the country. The leaders of these groups capitalized on showing the extent of the damage the French had wrecked on their freedom. In his speech, “Fight Against French Imperialism!” Hadj speaks about how the French have used the idea of imperialism to silence Algerians and provide justification for their discriminatory laws. Using their leadership and mobility, different advocates encouraged the institution of nationalism throughout the country (Khatun 79). There was a longing for autonomy that was only attainable through rebellion and persistence, and it was eventually achieved after a tumultuous
The first organization to call for independence was L’Etoile Nord Africaine (Star of North Africa), or ENA. ENA was created by Messali Hadj in 1926 and was originally a group for Algerians in the workforce that wanted to advocate for the rights of North Africans. However, it quickly turned into a movement that would spark the opportunity for the biggest change in Algerian history. Hadj delivered a speech called “Fight Against French Imperialism!” in 1928. In his speech, Hadj attacked the French for using the glorified idea of imperialism as a way to completely silence and dominate over the people of Algeria. He also blamed colonization for the bulk of Algeria’s problems. Hadj proclaimed that the French were the reason that “11 million hectares of the best lands have been stolen, while the natives are pushed to the arid south and are decimated by periodic famines. Collective fines [have] hit entire villages, [and] sequestrations complete the ruin of the Algerian people, which is plunged into poverty” (1). Hadj also criticized France’s Code of Rights and Citizenship, a …show more content…
These groups provided support for a nationalist movement because of the message they spread throughout the country. The leaders of these groups capitalized on showing the extent of the damage the French had wrecked on their freedom. In his speech, “Fight Against French Imperialism!” Hadj speaks about how the French have used the idea of imperialism to silence Algerians and provide justification for their discriminatory laws. Using their leadership and mobility, different advocates encouraged the institution of nationalism throughout the country (Khatun 79). There was a longing for autonomy that was only attainable through rebellion and persistence, and it was eventually achieved after a tumultuous