Land and colonisers French Algeria

the famine of algeria in 1869

even before decision made annex algeria, major changes had taken place. in bargain-hunting frenzy take on or buy @ low prices manner of property—homes, shops, farms , factories—europeans poured algiers after fell. french authorities took possession of beylik lands, ottoman officials had derived income. on time, pressures increased obtain more land settlement europeans, state seized more categories of land, particularly used tribes, religious foundations, , villages.

called either colons (settlers), algerians, or later, following 1962 independence of algeria, pieds noirs (literally, black feet), european settlers largely of peasant farmer or working-class origin poor southern areas of italy, spain, , france. others criminal , political deportees france, transported under sentence in large numbers algeria. in 1840s , 1850s, encourage settlement in rural areas, official policy offer grants of land fee , promise improvements made. distinction developed between grands colons (great settlers) @ 1 end of scale, self-made men had accumulated large estates or built successful businesses, , smallholders , workers @ other end, lot not better of muslim counterparts. according historian john ruedy, although 1848 15,000 of 109,000 european settlers in rural areas, systematically expropriating both pastoralists , farmers, rural colonization important single factor in destructuring of traditional society.

european migration, encouraged during second republic, stimulated civilian administration open new land settlement against advice of army. advent of second empire in 1852, napoleon iii returned algeria military control. in 1858 separate ministry of algerian affairs created supervise administration of country through military governor general assisted civil minister.

napoleon iii visited algeria twice in 1860s. profoundly impressed nobility , virtue of tribal chieftains, appealed emperor s romantic nature, , shocked self-serving attitude of colon leaders. decided halt expansion of european settlement beyond coastal zone , restrict contact between muslims , colons, whom considered have corrupting influence on indigenous population. envisioned grand design preserving of algeria muslims founding royaume arabe (arab kingdom) himself roi des arabes (king of arabs). instituted so-called politics of grands chefs deal muslims directly through traditional leaders.

to further plans royaume arabe, napoleon iii issued 2 decrees affecting tribal structure, land tenure, , legal status of muslims in french algeria. first, promulgated in 1863, intended renounce state s claims tribal lands , provide private plots individuals in tribes, dismantling feudal structures , protecting lands colons. tribal areas identified, delimited douars (administrative units), , given on councils. arable land divided among members of douar on period of 1 3 generations, after bought , sold individual owners. unfortunately tribes, however, plans of napoleon iii unraveled. french officials sympathetic colons took of tribal land surveyed public domain. in addition, tribal leaders sold communal lands quick gains. process of converting arable land individual ownership accelerated few years when laws enacted in 1870s stipulating no sale of land individual muslim invalidated claim collectively owned. cudah , other tribal officials, appointed french on basis of loyalty france rather allegiance owed them tribe, lost credibility drawn european orbit, becoming known derisively béni-oui-oui.

napoleon iii visualized 3 distinct algerias: french colony, arab country, , military camp, each distinct form of local government. second decree, issued in 1865, designed recognize differences in cultural background of french , muslims. french nationals, muslims serve on equal terms in french armed forces , civil service , migrate france proper. granted protection of french law while retaining right adhere islamic law in litigation concerning personal status. if muslims wished become full citizens, had accept full jurisdiction of french legal code, including laws affecting marriage , inheritance, , reject authority of religious courts. in effect, meant muslim had renounce of mores of religion in order become french citizen. condition bitterly resented muslims, whom road political equality perceived apostasy. on next century, fewer 3,000 muslims chose cross barrier , become french citizens. similar status applied jewish natives.