Week 14: Wednesday, April 26
Scene from The Battle of Algiers (1966): Make way for Colonel Mathieu and the paras.
For today, you will have done the reading and watched The Battle of Algiers. This movie is set during the Algerian War (1954-1962) when the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) sought to obtain Algeria's independence from the French empire. The movie details the FLN's attempt to obtain control of Algiers, the capital city of Algeria, in 1957. French forces destroyed the FLN's terrorist cells in Algiers and had generally obtained the upper hand militarily throughout Algeria by the late 1950s. Nevertheless, the French public perceived that the Algerian population had turned irrevocably against continued French rule. The substantial European population in Algeria (the colons), however, was dead set against any concessions and repeatedly pressured the French government to fight to the finish. In 1960, when it became clear that Charles De Gaulle's government was inclined to negotiate with the FLN, colons and elements of the French army launched an insurrection in an attempt to seize power in Algeria. De Gaulle's government faced the insurrection down and negotiations began with the FLN in 1961. These culminated in a treaty that ended the war in 1962.
Many observers and historians have drawn parallels between the Algerian War and the current American involvement in Iraq. Needless to say, the situations are not identical or even analogous. Nevertheless, the French experience in Algeria has much to teach about modern insurgencies and counterinsurgencies.
1) What were the objectives of the FLN (Front de Libération Nationale), otherwise known in the movie as the "Organization"? How did the FLN seek to attain these objectives?
2) Through what different stages did the Battle of Algiers pass? That is, how did FLN strategy consist of a number of well-defined steps? How did the French react to each of these steps? List them.
3) How and why did the French eventually manage to win the initiative and assume the offensive in this battle?
4) In this battle, what advantages did the French enjoy? What advantages did the FLN enjoy?
5) How does Trinquier define "modern war." What is the goal of modern war? What is the role of terrorism in modern war?
6) How is the terrorist different from the traditional soldier? How is he similar? What must the authorities do when they capture a terrorist? What does Trinquier claim the terrorist must accept as a "condition inherent in his trade"?
7) What strategy must the forces of order adopt with regard to the general population to curb terrorism?
Other Questions
1) Why do you think the French won the Battle of Algiers but lost the war?
2) What lessons does this movie have to teach about insurgency and counter-insurgency?
3) In what specific ways does this movie intersect with readings by Trinquier? What ideas or lessons do they share in common?
4) Why is modern war of the sort Trinquier discussing unlimited?
5) So far as Trinquier is concerned, what difficulties will the authorities find in waging modern warfare in a major city?
Roger Trinquier (1908- ? )
For questions,
comments, or suggestions about this website, please contact the webmaster.
Copyrighted by Hugh Dubrulle, 2006.