Chronology of historical events
1954
​November 1
A wave of attacks marks the beginning of the conflict. Troop reinforcements are sent to Algeria. Interior Minister François Mitterrand is a supporter of the war. The Mouvement National Algérien (MNA; Algerian National Movement) is founded by Messali Hadj. Members of the Mouvement pour le Triomphe des Libertés Démocratiques (Movement for the Triumph of Democratic Freedoms) are arrested.
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1955​
January
Jacques Soustelle is appointed Governor-General of Algeria.
April
The government imposes a state of emergency over Algeria.
May
The number of French troops stationed in Algeria is increased to 100,000 soldiers.
September
The first demonstration of conscientious objectors called up for service in Algeria takes place in Paris.
October
→ Bourdieu, aged 25, leaves the country to perform his military service in Algeria in the Chelif Valley.
November
The Section Administratives Spécialisées (SAS) is founded.
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N_046_434
1956
February
Robert Lacoste is appointed Resident Minister for Algeria.
February 6
So-called "Tomato Day": On the occasion of Guy Mollet's visit to Algiers, the European-born population organized a large mass demonstration. Mollet deviated from his liberal line and took repressive measures.
March
Special powers are adopted under the Guy Mollet government.
→ Bourdieu is referred to the State Documentation and Information Service in Algiers.
April
Minister Pierre Mendès-France resigns from Guy Mollet's cabinet.
May
The Union générale des étudiants musulmans d'Algérie (UGEMA) [Association of Muslim Students of Algeria] is calling for an indefinite strike.
July
General strike of Algerians living in France and the Algiers department.
August
At the Soummam Congress in Kabylia, organized by Abane Ramdane, the National Liberation Front (FLN) was formed. France increased its troop strength to 600,000 men.
October
Hijacking of a Royal Air Maroc aircraft with FLN leaders on board by the French authorities.
November
The first bomb attacks are carried out by the FLN in Algiers. Riots against North Africans by French civilians in Algiers.
December
General Salan is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French troops in Algeria. He exercises both military and civil powers. The dissolution of municipal councils in Algeria and the assassination of the chairman of the Federation of Algerian Mayors (FROGER) follow.
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N_028_7_Gouvernement Provisoire de la République Algérienne
1957
January - February
Increase in bomb attacks
March - April
Numerous FLN leaders are arrested and some are murdered. General de La Bollardière resigns.
May
Massacre of the civilian population of Duar Melouza by the FLN.
June
Arrest and murder of Maurice Audin, an assistant in the mathematics department at the University of Algiers.
December
Assassination of Abane Ramdane, the main organizer of the Soummam Congress.
1958
→ Publication of Bourdieu: Sociologie de l'Algérie
January
→ After 23 months of service, Bourdieu is released from his military obligations. He decides to remain in Algeria.
February
General Salan orders the bombing of Sakhiet-Sidi-Youssef (Tunisia).
→ Bourdieu becomes assistant at the Faculty of Philosophy (Faculté des lettres ) in Algiers (until 1 January 1960)
April
General Gaillard resigns. Demonstrations calling for a French Algeria take place in Algiers.
May
The General Government is taken over by the Europeans. Massu establishes a Public Welfare Committee and appeals to General de Gaulle. Demonstrations for the defense of the Republic take place in Paris.
June
The National Assembly appoints De Gaulle. In Algiers, he declares: "I understand you."
September
Formation of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA).
December
General Challe and Paul Delouvrier replace General Salan. De Gaulle is elected President of the Republic.
→ At the end of 1958, Bourdieu and Sayad met for the first time at the Faculty of Philosophy (faculté des lettres) in Algiers
→ Bourdieu: Surveys of the city centers of Philippeville, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou, Algiers, Medéa, Orléansville, Saïda, Oran, Sidi-Beé-Abbès and Tlemcen (1958 to 1959; cf. Travail et travailleurs en Algerie, 1963)
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N_090_836_Ain Aghbel (Collo),
Centre de regroupement
1959
→ Bourdieu begins the investigation into the resettlement camps in Tamaous, Aïn Aghbel, Collo, Kerkera, Cheraia, Oum Toub, Aghbala, Barbacha, Djemâa Saharidj, Djebabra, Matmata, Affreville, Aïn-Sultan, Lavarande, Ouled Ziad and Marabout Blanc
→ Bourdieu's publications: La logique interne de la civilization algérienne and Le choc des civilizations
April
Michel Rocard publishes his report on the resettlement camps.
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July-August
Start of Operation Jumelles , a comprehensive military operation by the French army in Kabylia.
September
De Gaulle announces the Algerians' right to self-determination through a referendum. The offer is rejected by the GPRA, which demands complete independence before any discussion.
November
De Gaulle calls for a ceasefire. Ben Bella and the leaders arrested in 1956 are appointed negotiators by the FLN.
→ Bourdieu leaves Algeria and moves to Paris to become Raymond Aron’s assistant and co-director of the Centre de sociologie européenne .
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A_001c
1960
→ Publication of Bourdieu: Guerre et mutation sociale en Algérie
January
General Massu is removed from his post as commander of the Algiers Army Corps. Barricade Week in Algiers.
March
Resignation of General Challes.
June
Meeting between de Gaulle and Si Salah at the Élysée Palace. Talks with the GPRA in Melun.
→ Continuation of Bourdieu’s investigations into the resettlement camps (until September)
September
Trial of the members of the "Jeanson Network." "Manifesto of the 121" for the right to refuse military service in the Algerian War.
October
Raids on Algerians in Paris and its suburbs.
November
Louis Joxe is appointed Minister of State for Algerian Affairs.
December
De Gaulle's trip to Algeria, followed by violent demonstrations in Algiers. The United Nations recognizes Algeria's right to self-government.
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N_029_2_Djebabra, Centre de regroupement
1961
→ Publications Bourdieu: Sociologie de l'Algérie (2nd edition) and Révolution dans la révolution
January
75% of French people vote in a referendum in favor of the Algerian people's right to self-determination. The French underground movement, the Organisation armée secrète (OAS), is founded.
February
Meeting between Georges Pompidou and the FLN in Switzerland.
April
The generals' coup in Algiers fails. De Gaulle receives unlimited powers.
May-June
First talks from Évian. Increase in attacks by the OAS led by Salan:
→ Bourdieu returns to Algeria to collect new data in the resettlement camps.
August-September
Numerous assassinations by the FLN and the OAS in Algeria.
October
Curfew for all Algerians living in Paris and the Paris region. Bloody crackdown on peaceful demonstrations by Algerians in the streets of Paris. OAS attacks in Algeria. Arrival of the "Barbouzes" ["The Bearded Men": a kind of secret police against the OAS] in Algiers.
December
The unions and the left are organizing demonstrations for Algeria and against the OAS.
N_038_177_P
1962
→ Publications Bourdieu: Célibat et condition paysanne; De la guerre révolutionnaire à la révolution und La hantise du chômage chez l'ouvrier Algérien. Prolétariat and colonial system
January
Assassinations in Algiers and France by the OAS and OAS opponents.
February
Demonstrations and their subsequent brutal suppression (at the Paris metro station Charonne).
March
Signing of the Évian Accords and proclamation of the ceasefire in Algeria.
March 5
National Declaration of Independence.
1963
→ Publication of Bourdieu: Travail et travailleurs en Algérie
April
→ Bourdieu returns to Algeria to improve the data from the resettlement camps
1964
→ Publications Bourdieu: Le Déracinement
Information from: Bourdieu, P. (2010). Algerian Sketches , Berlin: Suhrkamp, pp. 498 ff.