The Algerian Revolution of November 1, 1954: A Beacon of Hope in the Face of French Crimes of War
The Algerian Revolution of November 1, 1954: A Beacon of Hope in the Face of French Crimes of War On November 1, 1954, Algeria erupted in a revolutionary uprising against its French colonial oppressors. Led by the National Liberation Front (FLN) and the National Liberation Army (ALN), the Algerian Revolution would last for eight long and bloody years, but ultimately result in Algeria's independence in 1962. The Algerian Revolution was sparked by a number of factors, including the country's long history of French colonial rule, its economic underdevelopment, and the widespread discrimination and violence faced by Algerians under French rule. French Crimes of War The French authorities responded to the Algerian Revolution with a brutal crackdown, committing numerous war crimes in the process. These crimes included torture, summary executions, and the destruction of villages. One of the most infamous examples of French war crimes was the Setif massacre of May 8, 1945,