End of the war and independence of algeria
Following de Gualle’s reappointment, the tides of the war dramatically changed and after a series of events and negotiations Algeria was finally able to achieve its hard-fought independence.
De Gualle came back to power in 1958. His return was hailed as the necessary step toward neutralizing hostilities and ending the war. In a trip to Algeria he pronounced ambiguously but powerfully, “Je vous ai compris” (I have understood you). De Gualle enacted the first referendum on the self-determination of Algeria on January 8, 1961. The referendum met with support from 75% of the voters in France and Algeria. At this point de Gualle’s government began secret peace negotiations with the FLN. In April of 1961 there was a generals’ putsch, a failed coup d’état to overthrow de Gaulle and establish an anti-Communist military junta. The putsch sought to end any negotiations with the FLN, however its failure indicated the first formal change in sentiment toward the war. Furthermore, the putsch delegitimized the army and severed any residual allegiance to the Pieds-Noirs from the de Gualle government.
In May 1961, talks with the FLN resumed and on March 18, 1962 the government decreed a ceasefire. The Évian Accords, in their final form, offered legal protection for the pieds-noirs over a three-year period. These rights included respect for property, participation in public affairs, and a full range of civil and cultural rights. Following the three-year period however, all residents would be obliged to become citizens. In April, 1962, 91% of the French electorate approved the Evian Accords. With 5,992,115 votes in support of independence, and a mere 16,534 in opposition, the vote was nearly unanimous.
De Gualle came back to power in 1958. His return was hailed as the necessary step toward neutralizing hostilities and ending the war. In a trip to Algeria he pronounced ambiguously but powerfully, “Je vous ai compris” (I have understood you). De Gualle enacted the first referendum on the self-determination of Algeria on January 8, 1961. The referendum met with support from 75% of the voters in France and Algeria. At this point de Gualle’s government began secret peace negotiations with the FLN. In April of 1961 there was a generals’ putsch, a failed coup d’état to overthrow de Gaulle and establish an anti-Communist military junta. The putsch sought to end any negotiations with the FLN, however its failure indicated the first formal change in sentiment toward the war. Furthermore, the putsch delegitimized the army and severed any residual allegiance to the Pieds-Noirs from the de Gualle government.
In May 1961, talks with the FLN resumed and on March 18, 1962 the government decreed a ceasefire. The Évian Accords, in their final form, offered legal protection for the pieds-noirs over a three-year period. These rights included respect for property, participation in public affairs, and a full range of civil and cultural rights. Following the three-year period however, all residents would be obliged to become citizens. In April, 1962, 91% of the French electorate approved the Evian Accords. With 5,992,115 votes in support of independence, and a mere 16,534 in opposition, the vote was nearly unanimous.
What were the most significant long term repercussions of this war? (Political, economic, territorial, etc).
The war had a profound impact on nearly all aspects of life, some of the most notable long-term repercussions being the loss of infrastructure, psychological scars, and educational shortcomings.
- Infrastructure: Because of the long history of colonization, most well-paying jobs requiring a established experience or knowledge left along with the European settlers. Native Algerians had been discouraged from pursuing these kinds of jobs, and many were left homeless, displaced, and disenfranchised. This left Algeria without individuals to fill vital positions like doctors, managers, civil servants, engineers, teachers, etc.
- Psychological consequence: Due to the indiscriminate use of torture by the French and also the FLN's use of deliberate torture to coerce the population into support or submission, Algerians were left with a deep set fear and apprehension.
- Political Instability: Following independence, Ahmed Ben Bella quickly gained more power and challenged the appointed Premier Benyoucef Ben Khedda. Ben Bella met with US President J.F.K. requesting aid, and soon after expressed approval of Castro's request for Guantanamo Bay's abandonment. In November of 1962, he banned all political parties aside from the FLN. In 1965, Ben Bella was deposed and placed under house arrest, and replaced by Houari Boumédiènne who remained in office as president until his death in 1978. Algeria remained a one-party state until a civil war in the 1990s.