In 1830 Algeria became a French colony.

1962 Algeria achieved independence from France after eight years of guerrilla warfare in which one million Algerians died.

A brief power struggle followed between moderates and militants ended when Colonel Boumedienne lead the Arme de Liberation to victory.

Ben Bella was elected prime minister promising a "revolutionary Arab-Islamic state based on the principles of socialism and collective leadership within Algeria and anti-imperialism abroad. More...