Which African group fought against French colonization?
1 Answer
There were several groups that resisted French expansionism at various times.
Explanation:
Algeria :
The French conquered Algeria between 1830 and 1842. They were resisted by two main forces, Abdel Kader ibn Muhieddine who led the nationalists in the west and Ahmed Bey who led the Ottoman forces in the east. Algeria was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time. Both forces were defeated by 1842, and Algeria became a French colony.
The Algerian Revolution started in 1954 and lasted until 1962 when Algeria gained its independence. The war was characterized by numerous guerilla actions and several atrocities on both sides.
Tunisia :
Conquered quickly by the French in 1881 with the tacit approval of Britain and Germany, Tunisia started agitating for independence approximately in 1920. Just before WW II the main independence party was disbanded and its leader, Habib Bourguiba, was imprisoned.
When Germany invaded and conquered Tunisia during the war Bourguiba was released. Gaining much popular support, he continued agitating for independence. Between 1952 and 1954 the Neo Destour party staged numerous guerilla raids on French facilities. When a new French Prime Minister was elected in 1954, he began a staged withdrawal from North Africa to eliminate violent backlashes across the continent. Tunisia finally gained negotiated independence in 1956.
