French Era

In the 1820's relations between the French and the Algerians grew tense. After an ineffectual naval blockade in 1829, France invaded Algiers in 1830 and won a quick victory over the coastal area. Inland, however, resistance was strong under the leadership of Abd-el-Kader, the Arab ruler of Mascara. The Algerians did not surrender until 1847. In 1848 northern Algeria was annexed to France. Periodic insurrections continued into the 20th century; French military posts were gradually established in the Algerian Sahara, and the desert Berbers were eventually subdued.

France's efforts to colonize Algeria were only partially successful until after the Franco-Prussian War (187071), when a number of refugees from German-occupied Alsace moved in. Settlers came also from southern France to establish vineyards. The colonists were given the most fertile lands. The native Algerians were permitted to become French citizens only if they renounced their Islamic beliefs. Since few would do so, the country was run by and for the benefit of the colonists.