French Defense Against an Army Coup in Algeria, 1961 - Group 2 by https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2 Module 12 Strategic Estimate Assignment and Discussion en-us 2018-11-18 15:54:21 UTC 2025-12-29 12:45:51 UTC hello@padlet.com Issues and Objectives - Frederick Carrington fcarring https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305686911 In 1958 French politics were in a complete mess. The Fourth Republic was failing. France had attempted to keep a hold of its colonies following World War II. The humiliation of being occupied by Germany had many in the ruling and military classes desperate to win its colonial wars against independence seeking nationalists. The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, in 1954, was a disaster for the French Army and led to the French abandoning its struggle in Vietnam. In that same year a new wave of nationalism began in Algeria as Algerian nationalists struggled to seek freedom against France. Setbacks in Algeria and Vietnam as well as hampered efforts to unite the French people in a solid government led to the collapse of the Fourth Republic. Charles De Gaulle came to power and created the Fifth Republic with a stronger central government. Although a career soldier and a complete nationalist De Gaulle recognized Algeria was lost. He immediately put forward a vote of self-determination for Algerian Independence. The French military, who had only known defeat in recent decades, was appalled that they would now lose another war. The French and pro-French Algerians living in Algeria were terrified of Algerian Independence. The French military attempted a putsch to block the vote for Independence, remove De Gaulle and keep France in the Algerian War. The putsch leaders underrated De Gaulle’s popularity. De Gaulle made a famous speech to the French people and army begging for support. His wishes were answered. The Putsch failed. The French people backed De Gaulle. Algeria voted 75% in favor of Independence. French Algeria was over. Following the crisis, the French generals leading the putsch were arrested and sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. However, all but a few were released within 10 years. 

]]> 2018-11-18 17:55:53 UTC https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305686911 Dependency Balances - Denise Grimm grimmd2016 https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305724428 The French government depended on their army to defend their country, among other things, but with half a million troops with airborne capabilities in Algeria, and other divisions stationed in Germany and of questionable loyalty, they were under-defended and open to attack by the rebels. (Sharp 168) However, France was able to inspire its citizens, whether in Paris or in Algeria, to nonviolently resist from disobedience to faking problems to convincing rebels to change sides. When the divisions in Germany affirmed their loyalty, they were brought back to Paris, and thus proving the French government as independent. (168-169)
The rebels had begun their coup in the first place because their government declared they would abandon plans to keep Algeria as a colony. They depended on the government for supplies and such, but when told they would no longer hold on to Algeria, the rebels took siege of the colony and planned an invasion of Paris in order to oust the current leadership. As an air force of half a million troops, they had a genuine chance at pulling this off and gaining independence from their present government. (167-168) However, loyalty to their government proved much stronger for many troops, who followed the President's orders and did whatever they could to undermine the rebels. With not even soldiers supporting the coup, their chance at independence and change was shot. (169-170)]]> 2018-11-18 22:32:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305724428 The Third Parties- Stefanie Cunningham scunningham2014 https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305752143  
During the French Army Coup in Algeria in 1961, it was evident of certain parties that played a leader role or factor in the overall turn of events. The two distinctive sides apart of this event can be understood as the French army of Algeria and the civilian French government in Paris. From the perspective of the aggressive party which is the French army or the rebels, attempts were taken to seize power. However, the second important party that can be viewed as the resistors is the French government in Paris. It is easy to identify two main groups; however, it is often the third parties that are the ones that not so big picture but are the groundworkers that can sway the event to a particular side. In this case some third parties are seen through the mass noncooperation tactics that occurred in resistance. It is through the army soldiers who stayed inside, people blocked airways to ensure planes did not take off, also pilots who resisting as well. It was these third parties; the civil servants and local government officials that were the often resisters to the coup, as a result undermining the rebels and their attempts. 

]]> 2018-11-19 02:18:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305752143 The Non-Violent Struggle Group: Matthew DiMuro mdimuro2015 https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305761436 In this case, the non-violent struggle group here is the French Government. Not only did they depend on their own military to defend their land, they were desperate to combat against the rebels that outnumbered them by a large margin. One of the positives that France had was their motivating tactics that brought their own citizens to a point of emphasis by resisting in a non-violent manner. The citizens also were able to manipulate their situation by disguising their own problems in which convinces the "rebels' to understand what they went through and to eventually switch territory. As the French went through many adversity, they've recouped as a group by claiming independence against the rebels and other military groups. They found themselves successful, and also built a focal point within their base that allowed them to hold each other accountable. The goal essentially was to bring a certain level of independence and respect to the French and it's people, which is exactly what they did.]]> 2018-11-19 03:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305761436 1. The general conflict situation - Britt Hatcher bhatcher2017 https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305764712 In April 1961 the French president announced he was going to keep Algeria as a French colony. This did not sit well with the troops that where stationed there. So on April 21 1961 the French 1st Foriegn legion parachute regimen attempted a coup D’tat. It was successful and many of the loyal soldiers and officers, including three Generals. The French government was worried about them turning around and attacking France since most of the troops where in Algeria. Since it was the Air Force that rebelled they block run ways with other vehicles so that the planes could not land for a invasion. Eventually the French citizens started to show unhappiness with what was going and started to form peacful protest and they even formed a ten million symbollic strike. Many of the soldiers where on the fence waiting to see what would happen. 

Reference Pax 3001 Intro to Peace Studies FAU- Doug McGretchin (c) 2017

]]> 2018-11-19 03:44:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305764712 The Opponent Group- James Higgins jhiggins2016 https://padlet.com/mdimuro2015/group2/wish/305767175 During this coup the French government had an obvious opposing side, its' own arm. Both of these systems relied on one another. The army depended on the government for funding and resources, while the government relied on the army for general protection against other countries that posed a threat. The general population at the time was in favor of the coup due to the extreme distaste towards the situation that had occurred concerning Algeria. The pillars that had supported the French army would be the support from the citizens of France and the resources that they had stored away. The citizens of France could also be considered allies to the opposing group. The French army has competent leadership and a solid following behind them which is a very fearful position for the French government .

Reference Pax 3001 Intro to Peace Studies FAU- Doug McGretchin (c) 2017

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