Changing Attitudes Of Ferhat Abbas

Changing Attitudes of Ferhat Abbas


Introduction


Ferhat Abbas believed in the peaceful solution and that the French are

willing to co-operate with the Algerians. With this co-operation, he thought, it

was possible for all to live together. He was brought up and thought to believe

in democracy and parliament, to look for these in a peaceful fashion and that

the people have to be asked what to do with their country and not to be

terrorised to be convinced differently.  However in the 1950's we can see a

clear change, a turn in his thoughts. He accepts more violent ways in order to

gain what he believes in. In order to explain the change in attitudes of Ferhat

Abbas it is important that we first look at his background.  In 1899 Ferhat

Abbas was born.  He had, like many others, received entirely French education at

Constantine and at the University of Algiers.  After finishing his studies he

had served the French Army for two year after which he founded a pharmacist shop

in Setif.  There he also founded a student union which was a start of his

political career.  Soon he was accepted into the city Council where he fought

for the emancipation of Algerians from the French.    In 1938 Abbas founded the

Union Populaire Algérienne which peacefully fought for the equal rights of

Algerians and French.  Believing in the possible co-operation of French and

Algerians he had, fought alongside the French.


Political Career


During the war Abbas still continues his work towards the equality.  In

1943 he wrote the 'Manifesto of the Algerian People' which was than proclaimed

and several times sent to the French authorities. "The French colony only admits

equality with Muslim Algeria on one level; sacrifice on the battlefields." This

manifesto represented some very revolutionary ideas and proposed the equality of

rights and "immediate and effective participation."  Also in this manifesto

Abbas continuously condemns the French oppressive colonialism and even asks for

the self- determination of the whole population as a different culture.  Soon

afterward he wrote an addition to the manifesto in which he sees the Algeria as

the country separate from France.  In the book 'A Savage War of Peace' his

attitude is described as following:

 "Of pacific temperament, although he was a skilful debater, he was no rabble-

 rouser..."(Horne,1979, p.40).


The A.M.L


On its rejection by the French governor general, Ferhat Abbas and an Algerian

working-class leader, Messali Hadj, formed the Amis du Manifeste et de la Liberté

(A.M.L. ; Friends of the Manifesto and Liberty), which envisioned an Algerian

autonomous republic federated to a renewed, anti-colonial France. This party saw

that the Algeria should be decolonised and that the French should leave the

ruling to the Algerian people.  Mesaslli was a trouble maker and believed in

constant activity of the party in order to gain attention needed.  The activity

mostly was in the form of open speeches and leaflets.  It did gain lot of

support but also attracted the attention of the French.   Soon the French dealt

with the A.M.L. The ideas were to rebellious for the authorities to overlook.

Abbas was imprisoned for a year.  In the prison he meets other politicians with

the similar ideas like himself.  Also when Abbas was thrown to prison his party,

the A.M.L., was abolished.


The U.D.M.A


In 1946, after a year of imprisonment Ferhat Abbas founded the Union Dé

mocratique du Manifeste Algérien (U.D.M.A. ; Democratic Union of the Algerian

Manifesto), which advocated co-operation with France in the formation of the

Algerian state.  This union has many times tried to propose the agreement with

the French whereby the power could be shared.  On one meeting he said: "It is a

hundred and sixteen years that we have been waiting this moments, that is to say

the opportunity of being here and making ourselves heard among you....Therefore,

have patience, I ask and beg of you...We are but a very small minority.  Be

generous...!" (Horne, 1979, p.73). Again the proThis is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Electronic References. Please register below now!


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