Algerian War (nov 1, 1954 – mar 19, 1962)

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Digre: The Algerian liberation struggle began in November 1954 and ended only in March 1962. The bloody and bitter insurrection eventually claimed the lives of at least 300,000 Algerians and some 20,000 French soldiers and settlers.4 Before Algeria finally won its independence, the conflict led to the destruction of France’s Fourth Republic in 1958 and the return to power of Charles de Gaulle. It also played a critical role in provoking the Suez Crisis of 1956. Even before Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, French leaders were convinced that he was supporting the Algerian rebels and that his overthrow would cut off critical assistance for the insurrection. Conspiring with the Israelis and British, they launched a coordinated attack upon Egypt in late October 1956. The timing of the attack was carefully planned to coincide with the height of the presidential election campaign in the United States, and was based on the calculation that the Eisenhower administration would be unable to intervene before the allies could accomplish their objectives. At the same time, the French military and intelligence service in North Africa created their own fait accompli by seizing five key Algerian rebel leaders after forcing down a Moroccan airplane.

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