Leaving Cert History EUROPE (5) - Retreat from empire & aftermath: This edited extract gives an acc

Question

This edited extract gives an account of the struggle for Algerian independence from France. Read it and answer the questions that follow.

There were over a million French settlers, known as colons, living in Algeria.
In 1954 a militant nationalist group of Algerians, known as the National Liberation Front (FLN), led by Ben Bella, launched a guerrilla war. The French responded by sending more troops and by 1960 they had some 700,000 troops engaged in war against the FLN. In Paris the French government dared not consider independence for Algeria as it would incur the wrath of the million settlers and their supporters in France.

As French opinion was divided on the matter, many demanded the return of General de Gaulle to head a new government. In December 1958 de Gaulle was elected President of France. President de Gaulle soon realised that a military victory was unattainable.

Following peace talks, it was agreed that Algeria should become independent in July 1962.

This edited extract gives an account of the struggle for Algerian independence from France - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2014

Worked Solution & Example Answer:This edited extract gives an account of the struggle for Algerian independence from France - Leaving Cert History - Question A - 2014

1. Who were the colons in Algeria?

2. Who led the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN)?

3. Why was the government in Paris afraid to consider independence for Algeria?

4. On coming to power in France, what did de Gaulle realize?

5. From what territory in Asia did the French withdraw in the 1950s?

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