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Period: Jan 1, 1516 to
Events Leading to Conflict
Since 1516, France had a lot of presence in Algeria, mostly through conflict with pirates. At this time, Algeria was part of the Barbary States, a Muslim country depending on the Ottoman Empire (which was led by Mahmud II then), but it was still relatively independent. -
Barbary Treaties
Tensions rose between France and Algeria when France did not pay back their debt to Algeria over the purchase of grain. The leader of Algeria, called the Dey, wanted the money that France took. But after being militarily bombarded by the French, U.S., British, and Dutch, Algeria was weak and the Dey was forced to sign the "Barbary Treaties," weakening Algeria's political status further. -
The Fly-whisk Incident
The Dey of Algeria struck the French Consul with a fly-whisk due to a heated trade negotiation. Charles X, the king of France at the time, used this event to his advantage, initiating a blockade on the port of Algiers. The Dey responded with cannon fires, and France decided force was needed to deal with the conflict. -
The Start of a Military Expedition
France began a military expedition in Algeria. Their troops were met with Algerian troops and janissaries. France wanted to colonize Algeria for many reasons—to improve diplomatic tensions, increase trade, and spread French culture to those living in Algeria. -
Start of Blockade on Algiers
After deciding that more military force was needed, France ordered a blockade on the port of Algiers for 3 years. -
France Takes Military Advantage
After many days of fighting, France began to clearly show more military power than Algeria, due to their technological advantages and organization in strategy. At this point, France was declared to have the ultimate advantage in the struggle. -
Dey Surrenders
Once he saw France's great advantage, the Dey surrendered in exchange for his freedom and the ability to keep his possessions and wealth. He exiled himself and his family. His departure marked the end of a long Ottoman rule in Algeria. -
Janisarries Quit
Many janissaries quit after seeing the Dey's surrender, heading for Asia and leaving Algeria with less people to fight on it's behalf. -
The Creation of Algeria
France then named Algeria a French Colony and it was considered a French possession in North Africa, though the Ottoman Empire was opposed to this. But Algeria was not treated like other colonies, people thought of it as a province of France, or a part of their country, rather than a separate colony. -
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The Resistance of Abd al-Qadir
Abd al-Qadir was considered the leader of Algerian resistance against the occupying French. He was a Sufi religious leader, and managed to lead resistance against France until 1847, when he was defeated by a French military commander. -
Provinces of Algeria
In 1848, Algeria was proclaimed an integral part of France, and was divided into three provinces. -
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French Culture in Algeria
By the late 1800s, new colonial laws considered Muslims as second class citizens, called "subjects." Algerians could only become French citizens if they agreed to stop practicing Islam, and those who didn't agree to this were discriminated against, through harsh punishments from colonial officials. They were also not allowed in certain places, as a type of informal segregation. As this discrimination continued, many Algerians chose to abandon Islam and become citizens. -
Kabyle Rebellion
Resistance in Algeria was usually linked to Islam, the Muslim Algerians used their religion as a source of pride and identity outside of French culture, disagreeing with French control. But the French wanted to limit Islam in order to fully assimilate the Algerians into French culture. After a rebellion in 1871, colonial officials confiscated the land of the rebels and passed laws that deemed Arabic a foreign language and limited Islamic schools and pilgrimages to Mecca. -
Europeans Move to Algeria
After the Franco-Prussian War, many French and other Europeans (at the invitation of France) moved into fertile land in Algeria. At this time, Muslims had no political rights.
