Algerian Colonial Massacre of May 8th 1945, according to historian Sébastien Ledoux
On the French Republic's official calendar, May 8 serves as a commemoration of Allied victory against Nazi brutality, yet another May 8, 1945, emerges as a stirring milestone, entwined in France's colonial past, specifically in Algeria. In numerous cities, Algerians organize demonstrations to celebrate the cessation of war. Setif's demonstration, headed by the Algerian People's Party (PPA), calls for the release of their leader, Messali Hadj, who has been a champion for autonomy since 1943.
Among the flags held by protesters flutter the symbols of France, the United States, and Algeria, the latter instantly provoking a French authority response. The situation becomes so volatile that it escalates to an insurrection following the unfortunate demise of a protester at the hands of the police, while resisting the surrender of the Algerian flag. Soon after, the event in Guelma is banned, leading to an uprising of the populace that facilely spreads to Kherrata.
In their rebellion against the authorities, Algerian protesters primarily lash out at European settlers, resulting in the tragic loss of 102 lives. The French military repression of Algerians in Setif, Guelma, and Kherrata, sometimes under the guidance of armed French civilians, unfolds as a colossal military operation. This operation, which includes tank and aircraft bombardments, persists for approximately two weeks and claims between 15,000 and 20,000 lives.
The Algerian May 8 signifies a colonized event in two aspects. First, it underscores the political emancipation aspirations of Algerians expressed through these demonstrations, shedding light on the colonial system that concedes Algerians French nationality without citizenship. Second, the excessive retaliation by the military highlights the colonial disparity in treatment toward the suppressed majority, eliciting control through brutal force: the Algerian May 8 is a colonial massacre.
The tragic events of May 8, 1945, in Algeria mirror international celebrations for Victory in Europe Day, but instead represent a pivotal moment in Algeria's struggle for equality and independence. Behind the peaceful demonstrations lies hope bred by the war's end and the new global principles of liberty and self-determination it ushered in. However, rather than reciprocating these aspirations, the French colonial forces responded with brutality, resulting in a dreadful loss of life and setting the stage for the Algerian War of Independence. Today, May 8 is observed in Algeria as the "Day of Memory," serving as a poignant reminder of the struggle for independence and dignity.
- Algerian protesters, waving flags of Algeria among others, demanded the release of Messali Hadj, an advocate for Algerian autonomy since 1943.
- The French authority's response to the Algerian flag at the demonstrations escalated the situation into an insurrection, leading to the deaths of 102 lives and subsequent military repression.
- The Algerian May 8 signifies a colonized event, highlighting political emancipation aspirations of Algerians, revealing a system that granted Algerians French nationality without citizenship, and demonstrating the colonial disparity in treatment towards the suppressed majority.
- The tragic events of May 8, 1945, in Algeria not only mirror international celebrations for Victory in Europe Day but also represent a significant milestone in Algeria's struggle for equality and independence, leading to the observance of May 8 as the "Day of Memory" in Algeria.
