Seeking France's 'Lost Soldiers': reflections on the French military crisis in Algeria

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Since 1914, the French state has faced a succession of daunting and at times almost insurmountable crises. The turbulent decades from 1914 to 1969 witnessed near-defeat in 1914, economic and political crisis in 1926, radical political polarization in the 1930s, military conquest in 1940, the deep division of France during the Nazi Occupation, political reconstruction after 1944, de-colonization (with threatening civil war provoked by the Algerian crisis), and dramatic postwar modernization. However, this tumultuous period was not marked just by crises but also by tremendous change. Economic, social and political 'modernization' transformed France in the twentieth century, restoring its confidence and its influence as a leader in global economic and political affairs. This combination of crises and renewal has received surprisingly little attention in recent years.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCrisis and Renewal in France 1918-1962
EditorsKenneth Moure, Martin S. Alexander
PublisherBerghahn Books
Pages242-66
Number of pages25
ISBN (Print)978-1571811462, 1-57181-146-X
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2002

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