Algerian War of Independence - France

15 Pages·2016·7.71 MB·English

Joint Crisis: Algerian War of Independence -
France

JHUMUNC 2017
1
Joint Crisis: Algerian War 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
Algerian cabinet.
The French-Algerian War occurred
between 1954-1962, spanning the Fourth
Parliamentary Procedure
and Fifth Republics of France. The war was
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 ideologies 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
Delegate Biographies
responsible for evaluating domestic and
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 Algeria, as the leader in the French Resistance, 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
Edgar Faure
necessarily match those of the twenty-first
Faure was a member of the French
century. Through crisis updates, notes and
Resistance and a known French Radical, but
directives, delegates can attempt to further
was the leader of the more conservative
their own ‘political careers’ within the
wing in his party. In 1955, he served as
committee as the government faces domestic
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
political arena of France. By 1950, he had
Jacque Soustelle
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 Martial Law in Algeria9.
intelligence operations in Algiers. He was

later appointed governor-general of Algeria
in 19554. Though many feared his liberal Alain Savary
Alain Savary was a French politician
education background, Soustelle favored
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
later served under Charles de Gaulle’s
socialist politician in the French post war
government in postwar France. However, he
era. After serving in the Free French air
later joined the Socialist Party as minister of
force, Mendes-France joined Charles de
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. "Jacques Soustelle, Leader in Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.
Fight For a French Algeria, 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
colonialism, 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
Guy Mollet
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
grant independence to Algeria, though the
short lived due to his inability to address the
Algerian rebellion12. Mollet, in his attempt decision was controversial, not least in the
light of de Gaulle’s 1958 declaration "Vive
to deal with Algerian insurgents, sent French
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
Raoul Albin Louis Salan
Egypt for supplying aid to the rebels
Raoul Albin Louis Salan was a
resulted in Mollet’s decision to join Britain
in its occupation of the Suez Canal13. French general, founder of the Secret Army
Organization (OAS), and sought to
overthrow de Gaulle17. The OAS, under
Paul Aussaresses
Salan’s leadership, was a right-wing terrorist
Ausaresses was a senior French
organization that worked to maintain French
officer who fought during World War II, the
control over Algeria and campaign against
First Indochina War, and the Algerian
War14. However, forty years following the de Gaulle’s rule over both France and
Algeria. Though he was one of the generals
Algerian War, Ausaresses opened up about
who supported de Gaulle’s return to power
the torture, executions, and other inhumane
in the Fifth Republic, he quickly changed his
tactics he used against Algerian guerilla
stance and attempted a military coup when
fighters. Ausaresses, working under Jacques
Massu, was the main executioner15. de Gaulle became more supportive of giving
Algeria its independence18.
Charles de Gualle
Jacques Émile Massu
Charles de Gaulle was the general of
Jacques Emile Massu, a well known
the Free French forces during the
French general, fought to liberate Paris in
Resistance. In the postwar era, Gaulle
World War II, and also fought in the Suez

crisis, the wars in Indo-China, and in
Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 11
Algeria19. Though a highly decorated
July 2016.
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
Maurice Challe
was eventually arrested and sentenced to
Maurice Challe was a general in
death, but ultimately only ended up serving
Algeria and commander of the air force.21
six years in prison.29
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 Suez Canal 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 decolonization, so Challe
Gaulle and his decolonization policies.31 The
along with three other generals staged a
coup ultimately failed and the group
coup in Algeria and Paris called the Algiers
Putsch23. This coup failed and Challe was proceeded to engage in bombings and
imprisoned from 1961 until 1966 when he killings before the members’ arrests.32 Zeller
was granted amnesty. 24 was ultimately imprisoned for 6 years before
his eventual release.33
Edmond Jouhaud
Marcel Bigard
Edmond Jouhaud worked for France
Marcel Bigeard 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 Africa. 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. Racism. 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 [London, England] 1 July
5
role in the Battle of Algiers.35 Bigeard was Roger Trinquier
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
Yves Godard
previously worked in Indochina.47 Trinquier
Yves Godard was a general in
is famous for his book Modern Warfare and
Algeria.38 Godard had previously fought in
especially for his support of torture if
World War I, Austria, and Indochina.39
applied with strict guidelines.48
Godard used harsh tactics, including torture,
in his interrogation techniques.40 Godard
Fernand Gambiez
was part of the putsch against France and
Gambiez was sent to Algeria to
was subsequently imprisoned.41
maintain peace.49 He commanded an

infantry division initially before being
Robert Lacoste promoted to inspector general and finally
Lacoste was resident minister and becoming commander in chief.50 Before
governor general in Algeria.42 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
by the rebels during the Algiers putsch.52
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
Algerian.44 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

in Indochina like many other generals.55
2010: 8. World History in Context. Web. 11 July
2016.
35 Ibid.
36 Ibid. 46 Trinquier, Roger. Modern Warfare; a French
37 Ibid. View of Counterinsurgency. 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 North Africa. 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 Topic A: The Grand Ensemble
the French army.56
and the Algerian War
Jacques Marie Alfred Gaston Faure
Introduction
Jacques Faure was a general in
Algeria.57 Faure originally planned a coup The Algerian War of Independence
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
the use of guerrilla warfare, domestic
was then one of the generals who took part
terrorism, and the violent shattering of
in the Algiers Putsch.59 He was imprisoned
ethnic, religious, and cultural relations
until 1966 and had his rank of major general
between and within the people of France and
reinstated in 1974.60
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

56 Ibid. (Public Domain Lithography by Mayer)61
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 nationalism
French during the mid 19th century. Within
and patriotism62. 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 colonization 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
Algeria. On the one hand, the French settlers
French consul with a fly wisk 63. 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
demands were mostly ignored prior to Movement69. The Algerian National
Movement remains viable because while the
World War II. After World War II, residual
FLN represented a majority of Algerians’
anger and resentment led to the spontaneous
beliefs, it does not uphold the thoughts of all
killing of 88 French settlers, driving the
Algerians. In reaction to the small, yet firm,
French to retaliate by killing thousands of
establishment of the MNA, the FLN has
Muslims. As a result, in 1947 the Statute of
reshaped its organizational structure to form
Algeria was established, creating an
a quasi- provisional government 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 rise of the FLN, set in stark contrast to
The Front de Libération Nationale,
the weakness, internal divisions and general
or National Liberation Front, is an Algerian
diplomatic and financial decay of the Fourth
socialist party formed in reaction to French
French Republic, set the stage for the bitter,
rule and officially founded upon the
violent and prolonged Algerian War.
declaration of the Algerian War on
November 1, 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
combat against France. At its founding, the
FLN consisted of five leaders. Following the
The Toussaint Rouge
formation of the organization in 1954, these
In the early morning hours of All
leaders have recruited and consolidated
Algerian nationalist organizations68. Saints day on November 1, 1954, FLN
guerillas launched 30 bombing attacks
Although the FLN has absorbed nearly all
throughout Algeria. Broadcasting from
other nationalist bodies, it failed to form a

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 L’Armée de Liberation National. March,
Independence.”
2015. Warscapes.
9
Cairo, 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
state on the basis of Islamic principles71. 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
created by the FLN, including labor unions,
The FLN has gained control and
professional associations, students’ and
notoriety through the development,
women’s organizations. These
expansion, and employment of its armed
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
Concluding Remarks
and night raids to evade the more superior
As our nation works to recover from
organized French firepower and targeted
World War II, our colony of Algeria is
army, police, farms, mines, factories,
bursting with insurgency. The rise of
transportation and telecommunications
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 Alistair Horne, A Savage War of Peace, pages
(1954-1962). N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July 2016. 134–135
10