The Forces Shaping French-Algerian Relations

Prior to 1830, Algeria was nominally a part of the Ottoman Empire. In point of fact, however, the actual control exercised 3 by Constantinople over Algeria was nominal. The Dey, the representative of Ottoman power in Algeria, had little influence beyond the confines of the metropolis of Algiers. The Arab-Berber population of the area numbering some two million lived largely a semi-nomadic existence. Their allegiance was first to family and tribe. Broader allegiances were minimal and the concept of national solidarity non-existent. On the eve of French penetration, therefore, there existed two authorities. On the me hand, the decadent authority of the Ottoman Empire which had long ceased to exercise any effective control over the life of the country. On the other, a conglomeration of autonomous families and tribes knowing no other law than that of arms. During the past century and a quarter of French control, these two forms of authority were replaced; initially by French military and administrative control and now by a organized indigenous nationalist movement attempting to dislodge the French.