Decolonization of Algeria and Mozambique free essay sample

Decolonization of Algeria and Mozambique Essay Preparation Draft Today, Algeria and Mozambique are independent countries in Africa, but before that, since the early 1900’s and earlier, both countries were under colonial rule. Before Algeria and Mozambique gained their independence as a country, Algeria was under the French rule, while Mozambique was under Portuguese rule. However, eventually in 1962, Algeria gained its independence and in 1974 Mozambique gained its independence. In terms of the process of decolonization, Algeria and Mozambique went through a similar process, that was successful due to the failures of the colonial powers to satisfy and control their settler population socially, economically and politically, which resulted into successful organized rebellion actions. Referring back to the pre-call for independence, the Algerians and Mozambique settler population felt that they were being mistreated by their colonial power. In Algeria even since 1942, according to the West Chester University, the French were mistreating the Algerians by taking over â€Å"French-owned† farms and forcing the Algerian ex workers to work for them. We will write a custom essay sample on Decolonization of Algeria and Mozambique or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page At the end of WW2, the Vichy French government increased taxes, specifically for the Algerians and implemented â€Å"racial policies†, that favored the French. Similarly, Mozambique’s were discriminated, as the Portuguese deprived with lack of education, lack of political justification and very â€Å"cheap wages†. Despite both Algeria and Mozambique being treated unfairly socially, economically and politically, on May 8, 1945, the Algerians celebrated the end of WW2, by marching in Setif, but the Algerians raised â€Å"the green and white flag† of Abd al Kader’s 1840 uprising, which angered the French, causing violence and resulting in 45,000 deaths. Being unfairly treated, the Algerians and Mozambique’s called for independence. Algeria and Mozambique’s call and war for independence were a result of creating large organized rebellion groups, however, each country’s political aim was different. As for Algeria, on October 1952, Ahmen Ben Bella an Algerian rebellious soldier formed the Revolutionary Committee of Unity and Action, which was later known as the National Liberation Front (FLN) on 1962. The FLN was responsible for the â€Å"political direction of the revolution. † The sole purpose of the FLN was to â€Å"acquire arms, supplies, and funds† for the commanders and gain independence. Similarly, on June 1962, the Mozambique formed the FRELIMO liberation movement, which was lead by Eduardo Mondlane. Unlike Algeria, FRELIMO was vastly supported by â€Å"communist† nations, primarily Soviet Union, East Germany and Cuba by receiving military aid, such as â€Å"shipments of 122mm artillery rockets in 1972. † Therefore, during the war for independence in Mozambique, was a cold war element, in which the communist nations saw Mozambique as an opening to advocate communism spread. Hence, Mozambique was disrupted by other nation’s political aims efforts of anti-imperialist, towards spreading communism. Through the war for independence, Algeria and Mozambique would eventually gained independence. At the end, Algeria and Mozambique gained independence, however each country’s colonial efforts of letting go, was different. Speaking of Algeria, the war for independence lasted from 1953 to 1962, about 9 years. On the other hand, Mozambique lasted from 1962 to 1974, about 12 years. Algeria gained independence, as the FLN was too powerful and resulted in â€Å"hundreds of thousands of deaths. † It was reported that, â€Å"kidnapping was a common place† as there were murders of captured French and Muslims, regardless of age and sex. Portugal at the same time tired to hold on with military efforts, as troop numbers rose to 24,000 and more. Differently, Portugal from the 1960’s to 1970’s attempted to counter the FRELIMO with the use of government propaganda by creating â€Å"roads, railways, bridges, dams, irrigation systems, schools, hospitals. † However in the end, on July 1962 Algeria gained independence, with 350,000 colons leaving the country and 1. 4 million more the next year and counting. Meanwhile, on June 1975, Portuguese handed over the power to the FRELIMO. In conclusion, Algeria and Mozambique were both very similar to the process of decolonization, as both countries’ settler population was unsatisfied by the treatment that they’re colonial power, socially, economically and politically. Reflecting back, the most common similarity that both countries had was the creation of large rebellion groups to overpower the colonial power, which were both successful, despite the violence. Therefore, the overarching reason why both countries lost their colonial power was because of their actions.