This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“There was an important additional anomaly that provoked bitterness whenever the bona fides of “assimilation” with the mother country were questioned. This was the issue of French citizenship. Muslims were automatically French “subjects”, but not French “citizens”. From the early days legislation had permitted them to be subject to Islamic, as opposed to French, law; this may have been designed as a cultural and religious protection, but it became in effect a prison, because a Muslim wishing to adopt French citizenship had to renounce these rights, thereby virtually committing an act of apostasy. Moreover, in practice many obstacles were placed in the path of the Muslim seeking French citizenship.” – Alistair Horne, Chapter 1: “A Town of no Great Interest”, Pages 50-51
“And so France in Algeria staggered from war into peace, her
prestige in Algeria gravely tainted, her power and influence in the world
sorely reduced. United in despair, the
Algerian nationalists saw, in the ending of the war, prospects of a return to
“colonialism as usual”, a powerful French army returning to police the country
and aid the pieds noirs prevent implementation of the reforms they so
ardently demanded.” – Alistair Horne, Chapter 1: “A Town of no Great Interest”,
Page 61
“At best he would be treated with paternalism, fairness and
a kind of formal acceptance of his different religion and culture. But too often he was regarded with disdain,
and from a vantage of superiority; which manifested itself in many different
ways, and more insidiously among the poorer levels of whites where the
frictional contact was closest.” – Alistair Horne, Chapter 2: “Ici, c’est la
France”, Page 77
Is This An Overview?
Before the French conquered Algeria, the state was a
collection of literate villages that were nominally administrated by Turkish
military. A territory that was difficult
to establish a state identity, and suffered from political internal
instability, that reduced their ability to defend against exterior
threats. When France colonized Algeria,
the settlers expropriated the land for administrative purposes, taking land
without concern for property ownership.
During French occupation of Algeria, the French did develop
Algerian infrastructure and social services.
But that was not enough. The
French did not have sufficient administration support for the region, there
were economic problems, and a lack of agriculture support. The Algerians were treated with indifference,
tolerated when Algerian labor provided for the exploitation of Algeria. At times treated with paternalism. Most of the time, treated with a supremacist
disdain. The French had various views as
to why they were in Algeria, which included defending civilization from a
Soviet threat.
Assimilation of Muslims to become French citizens were
limited, as the requirements were prohibitive, while prevented by officials
when assimilation was attempted. As
assimilation became unfeasible, leaders turned to autonomy for Algeria. Although France was weakened due to World War
II, the Algerian nationalists thought that the end of the war had the potential
to return Algeria to colonialism as usual.
The return of the French army could be used to police Algeria. The revolution was a war of peace, as there
was no declaration of hostilities. The
revolution was an expression of collective suffering, a reaction to the
collective anonymity. Wanted
sovereignty, but with limited bloodshed.
The war did have bloodshed, and was criticized for the torture and
bombings.
Caveats?
This book focuses on the details of the war. Following the progress of the war. From who did what and where. To the gruesome engagements, and
recrimination. There is some general
information provided about Algeria before and after the war, but not enough for
readers who want a broad history of Algeria.
The organization of the details can make the book difficult to read.
