Algeria During the Second World War
1- Introduction
French politics in Algeria at the beginning of WWII in 1939 was unsuccessful. It did not find a solution to the problems at stake. Economic conditions threatened famine, patriots requests insisted on equal rights, and the repeal of extraordinary laws did not find a deaf ear in the French Parliament. Some French reform projects, such as the Blum Viollette project, also failed. For these reasons, the political situation in Algeria was aggravated as the Algerian People's Party and its prison leaders were dissolve, the Algerian Communist Party was dissolve, and the Algerian Muslim Scholars Association refused to support France in the war. The deputies and the elite supported the France's democracy against the German dictatorship.
2 -Algerians’ stance on the WWII and France:
A- Official personnel: The official clerics took a stand in favor of France and this was reflected in their telegrams declaring advisory opinions (Fatwah) stating that the war should be on the side of France. France also received support from high standing and noble families , in addition to veterans, the ruling community, the Bashahawat and the Arab elders. They were the medium between France and the people.
B- The Algerian Elite
By virtue of their official functions, elite men supported France. Their leaders offered to serve the French values they were taught in school, such as freedom and democracy, but they had no familiarity using them. Ferhat Abbas volunteered to protect democracy and freedom at the outbreak of the war, believing that France was a symbol of it.
C - The Muslim Scholars' Association:
Sheikh Abdelhamid Ben Badis has died under house arrest. At a time of heightened need for the voice of a leader representing the people, France has arrested and exiled the leaders of the Society of Scholars. However, the Association continued its movement and work in defense of Islam and Arabs, led by Bachir El Ibrahimi, and his activity was mostly focused on education, as well as some preaching and mentoring lessons.
D – The Algerian People’s Party’ stance:
Although the
Algerian People's Party was dissolved before WWII, its members continued
working in secret. They were inciting Muslims to rebel against France and
not fight their fellow Muslim brothers. France tightened the stranglehold
on the party's leader Messali Hadj, and his active members, causing them to
turn to work.
E- the Algerian Communist party
Given the bad relationship between the Soviet Union and Vichy France, these dissolved the Algerian Communist Party and accused the communists in Algeria of acting against it. The party was officially dissolve, so its activity was weak during 1940-1942. Their practical activity started at the end of 1942 after the Allied descent in North Africa, renewing their loyalty to the Soviet Union.
3- Allies descent in Algeria:
The arrival of Allied forces in Algeria on November 8, 1942, was a significant historical event due to the repercussions for the Algerian Patriotic Movement and the general situation in Algeria. The descent of these forces has been met with a lot of sympathy because of their new perceptions of democracy confirmed by the Atlantic Charter signed by the Allies in 14 August 1941, which includes a reference to the principle of peoples freedom to self-determination and human rights, which marked a good acceptance of the people who are bent under the yoke of English and French colonialism in Africa and Asia.
Ferhat Abbas presented a memorandum to representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the French Government in Algeria reflecting Algerian demands to link Algeria's political independence with France's liberation and to seek a new political law based on social justice, and this was after one month the allies’ arrival in December 20, 1942. The letter requested that a meeting be organize for elected voters and representatives of Islamic organizations in order to regulate the necessary reforms and against part mobilize the Algerians to support the allies against their enemy.cres of May 8, 1945.
