French Algeria

French Algeria (French: Alger until 1839, then Algérie afterwards;[1] unofficially Algérie française,[2][3] Arabic: الجزائر المستعمرة), also known as Colonial Algeria, was the period of Algerian history when the country was a colony and later an integral part of France. French rule in the region began after the successful French invasion of Algeria and lasted until the end of the Algerian War leading to its independence in 1962. After being a French colony from 1830 to 1848, Algeria was a part of France from 4 November 1848 when the Constitution of French Second Republic took effect until its independence on 5 July 1962.

Quick facts: French AlgeriaAlgérie française (French)... ▼

French Algeria Algérie française (French) الجزائر المستعمرة (Arabic)
1830–1962
Flag
Anthem: La Parisienne (1830–1848) Le Chant des Girondins (1848–1852) Partant pour la Syrie (1852–1870) La Marseillaise (1870–1962)
Official Arabic seal of the Governor General of Algeria
Chronological map of French Algeria's evolution
Status	1830–1848: French colony 1848–1962: Part of France
Capital and largest city	Algiers
Official languages	French
Common languages	Algerian Arabic Hassaniya Arabic Berber languages
Government	French Department
Governor General
• 1830 (first)	Louis-Auguste-Victor Bourmont
• 1962 (last)	Christian Fouchet
Legislature	Algerian Assembly [fr] (1948–1956)
History
• Surrender of Algiers	5 July 1830
• Algerian Independence	5 July 1962
Area
• Total	2,381,741 km2 (919,595 sq mi)
Currency	Budju (1830–1848) (Algerian) Franc (1848–1962)
Preceded by Succeeded by Regency of Algiers Emirate of Abdelkader Kingdom of Beni Abbas Kel Ahaggar Algeria

As a part of France in the past, Algeria became a destination for hundreds of thousands of European immigrants known as colons, and later as pieds-noirs. However, the indigenous Muslim population remained the majority of the territory's population throughout its history. It is estimated that the native Algerian population fell by up to one-third between 1830 and 1875 due to warfare, disease and starvation.[4] Gradually, dissatisfaction among the Muslim population due to their lack of political and economic freedom fueled calls for greater political autonomy, and eventually independence from France.[5] Tensions between the two groups came to a head in 1954, when the first violent events began of what was later called the Algerian War, characterised by guerrilla warfare and crimes against humanity used by the French in order to stop the revolt. The war ended in 1962, when Algeria gained independence following the Evian agreements in March 1962 and the self-determination referendum in July 1962.

During its last years of being part of France, Algeria was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community.[6]