The Wars of French Decolonization (Modern Wars In Perspective)

Description

This ambitious survey draws together the two major wars of decolonization fought by France in Indochina and Algeria (as well as the lesser but far from insignificant military operations in Madagascar, Tunisia and Morocco) into a single integrated account. It examines traditional French attitudes to empire, and how these changed under the pressure of events; the military operations themselves; the collapse of the Fourth Republic and the return of de Gaulle; and the final drama of French withdrawal from Algeria and the 'ethnic cleansing' of its European settler population. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of maps Acknowledgements 1 Introduction: the historical perspective 2 The French Union and emerging nationalism The French Union of 1946 Indochina North Africa Syria and Lebanon 3 Indochina, 1945–50 The ideological context The French return The outbreak of open warfare The Bao Dai policy Military operations, 1948–49 The disasters of 1950 4 Indochina, 1951–55 The conflict internationalized L'Anneé de Lattre Steady deterioration, 1952–53 Dien Bien Phu and Geneva Costs and consequences 5 Madagascar, 1947–49 French rule in Madagascar The Rebellion opens The results of the Rebellion 6 North Africa, 1945–56 Tunisia Morocco Algeria to October 1954 The first months of the war The war in 1955 and 1956 7 Algeria, 1957 The Battle of Algiers Fighting in frontier and rural areas Political and international consequences 8 Algeria, 1958 The fall of the Fourth Republic De Gaulle’s initial moves Military Operations 9 Algeria, 1959–62 Challe’s military re-assertion ‘Self-determination’ and Barricades Week Policy reappraised The Generals’ Coup and the OAS Negotiations and withdrawal 10 Conclusion Chronology Abbreviations Biographical notes Notes on further reading Maps Index