The rise of nationalism in North Africa and the Middle East led to independence for some countries and to conflicts with the West.
After World War II In Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, resistance to colonialism had a strong influence on national identity
Morocco and Tunisia
In both places nationalist campaigns for independence began to grow in the early and mid-1900s
France tried to crack down on these movements which eventually led to increasing unrest, demonstrations, and guerrilla wars
Algeria was also struggling for independence
French realized the importance of their relationship with Algeria and conclude that they could not fight guerrilla wars in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia
Morocco and Tunisia were both granted freedom in 1956
In 1830 France first took control of some areas in Algeria
Later they encouraged large-scale European settlement there
By the 1950s there were more than 1 million European settlers in the area
1954 a group of Algerian nationalist leaders formed the National Liberation Front (FLN)
FLN began a campaign of armed attacks against French targets in November of 1954
French responded with mass arrests and raids on Muslim towns
1955 FLN decided to target French settlers
1,200 to 12,00 Muslims were killed in these reprisal attacks
The attacks set the pattern for the deadly war in Algeria
In Algiers the FLN launched a campaign of bombings and assassinations directed at both civilians and the military
French responded with a harsh campaign that included the torture of FLN members
By 1957 the FLN had been defeated in Algiers
In May 1958 French troops and a mob of settlers seized power in Algiers, demanding a change in government in Paris. Due to the perceived lack of support from the French government
June 1958- their demands were met when Charles de Gaulle was appointed prime minister
To hopefully satisfy both groups he decided on a limited degree of self-government
It did not satisfy both groups. It had a violent reaction from the French settlers