The Europeanized Algerians and the emancipation of Algeria

Abstract

The term 'Young Algerian' was used in the French press as early as 1911 to describe a group of politically active young Muslims of French culture. They were a small group in a small social class, the upper bourgeoisie, whose influence in the rural and proletarian masses was minimal.I This group made its first important demands for change within the framework of a French colonial system and under the sovereignty of the French government. When in 1910 the French government passed a law imposing obligatory military service on Muslims, they cheered. They saw this legislation as a sign of trust, and they wanted to be trusted by the rulers of France. They thought this would lead the French to grant Muslims political rights and equality with the Europeans. But to their disappointment, as Ageron indicates the French colonial administration in Algeria showed no interest in them.2 The most assimilationist Young Algerians were led by Dr. Benthami. They were willing to give up their religious obligations as Muslims as a prelude to gaining French political citizenship. In this context Ageron indicates that the Young Algerian movement was characterized by its assimilationist programme during the period of its first president, Dr Benthami. He represented, according to Ageron, the most assimilationist faction within the movement, and opposed Amir Khalid, who was the grandson of the nineteenth-century hero, Abd Al Kader, in the municipal elections of Algiers in November 1919.3 However, the majority of the 'Young Algerians' were led by Amir Khalid. His ideas were spread by means of a French language journal, Ikdam. In his political views, he placed himself squarely in a tradition of the 'Young Algerians'. He dared to criticize an administration that was oppressive to his fellow Muslims; but the solutions he proposed all tended towards assimilation. He wanted equality in all things between the natives and the colons. He demanded French citizenship and political equality without renouncing Al Shari'a Al Islamiya. At the same time he proclaimed that he and his associates did not refuse the duties assigned them as French subjects. They simply emphasized that the service, if imposed, should carry with it recompense. Algerians would serve under the French flag, but France must give Muslims political rights more nearly equal to those of other French citizens. The indigenat should be revoked. Natives should be taxed on the same scale as Europeans and the so called 'Arab tax' should be abandoned. Also, Muslims should have more representatives in the elected assemblies, and should be permitted to become citizens, not forced to remain subjects. Khalid's demands for justice went largely