Algeria was a French colony with a unique status, considered an integral part of France.

It had a large population of European settlers, known as 'pieds-noirs,' who held most of the political and economic power.

The Algerian War of Independence was launched in 1954 by the National Liberation Front (FLN).

The conflict was exceptionally brutal, characterized by guerrilla warfare, FLN terrorism, and counter-insurgency operations and torture by the French army.

The war caused a major political crisis in France itself, leading to the collapse of the Fourth Republic in 1958.

Charles de Gaulle returned to power as president of the new Fifth Republic.

Despite opposition from French settlers and parts of the military, de Gaulle decided that Algeria should be granted independence.

The war ended with the signing of the Évian Accords in 1962, which recognized Algeria's independence.

The independence led to the mass exodus of the 'pieds-noirs' from Algeria to France.

The Algerian War was one of the longest and most violent wars of decolonization.