Algiers putsch by French generals.

The Algiers Putsch: A Vain Attempt to Hold French Algeria

In the spring of 1961, amidst the turbulent backdrop of the Algerian War (1954–1962), a dramatic and ultimately failed coup d'état shook France and its colonial administration. Known interchangeably as the Algiers Putsch (French: Putsch d'Alger or Coup d'État d'Alger) or the Generals' Putsch (Putsch des généraux), this audacious rebellion was orchestrated by a group of disgruntled former French Army generals. Their primary objective was to prevent French President Charles de Gaulle from granting independence to Algeria, thereby abandoning what they considered an integral part of France, along with the significant European settler community (known as pieds-noirs) and loyalist pro-French Muslim Algerians (harkis).

The Deep Roots of Discontent

The putsch was a desperate reaction to a seismic shift in French policy. While Charles de Gaulle had returned to power in 1958 partly on a mandate to resolve the Algerian crisis, his initial stance of "Algérie française" (French Algeria) had evolved significantly. By 1961, de Gaulle had publicly acknowledged the right of Algerians to self-determination and his government, led by Prime Minister Michel Debré, had even initiated secret negotiations with the anti-colonialist National Liberation Front (FLN). To the hardline military figures who had fought passionately to retain Algeria, these negotiations represented a profound betrayal, a capitulation to what they viewed as terrorist forces, and a death knell for French Algeria.

The Architects of the Rebellion

The conspiracy was spearheaded from French Algeria itself by four prominent, albeit retired, generals:

General Salan himself conceded that he joined the coup without deep involvement in its technical planning, yet it was undeniably perceived as a collective effort by these four men. De Gaulle famously and dismissively referred to them as "un quarteron de généraux en retraite" – "a quartet of generals in retirement" – highlighting his contempt for their attempt to challenge the authority of the state.

The Ill-Fated Plan Unfolds

The coup was ambitiously conceived in two distinct phases, designed to unfold rapidly between the afternoon of April 21 and April 26, 1961. The initial phase focused on asserting swift control over French Algeria's vital cities: Algiers, Oran, and Constantine. The second, more audacious phase, involved a metropolitan operation in mainland France, envisioned with French paratroopers descending upon strategic airfields, under the leadership of Colonel Antoine Argoud, to seize control of key governmental installations in Paris.

However, the plan began to unravel almost immediately. Crucially, the military commanders in Oran and Constantine, despite Challe's direct demands, refused to align themselves with the putschists. This defection significantly crippled the Algerian component of the coup. Concurrently, intelligence services swiftly alerted Prime Minister Debré to the existence and details of the metropolitan phase, allowing the government to preempt these moves before they could materialize.

De Gaulle's Decisive Intervention

The French government responded with remarkable speed and resolve. On April 22, just hours into the unfolding crisis, all flights and landings were summarily forbidden at Parisian airfields, effectively grounding any airborne assault. A stern order was disseminated throughout the Army, unequivocally instructing all units to resist the coup "by all means."

The following day, April 23, President Charles de Gaulle delivered one of his most iconic and consequential speeches. Appearing on national television, he deliberately chose to wear his old World War II uniform – a powerful symbolic gesture for a 70-year-old civilian head of state – directly appealing to the French people and loyal military forces. With a voice resonating with moral authority, he commanded them to rally behind him and defend the Republic against what he condemned as an "insurrectionary plot." His appeal, broadcast across France at a time when radio and television were becoming increasingly potent tools for mass communication, effectively galvanized national support and isolated the rebels, exposing the coup's lack of broader popular or military backing.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Algiers Putsch

What was the primary goal of the Algiers Putsch?
The main objective of the Algiers Putsch was to prevent French President Charles de Gaulle from granting independence to Algeria and to maintain French rule over the territory, thereby protecting the European settler community and pro-French Muslims.
Who were the key leaders of the putsch?
The putsch was led by four retired French Army generals: Maurice Challe, Edmond Jouhaud, André Zeller, and Raoul Salan.
When did the Algiers Putsch take place?
The coup attempt occurred from the afternoon of April 21 to April 26, 1961, during the Algerian War.
Why did the generals oppose Charles de Gaulle?
The generals vehemently opposed de Gaulle's evolving policy towards Algerian self-determination and the secret negotiations his government had begun with the National Liberation Front (FLN). They viewed these actions as a betrayal of French Algeria and the sacrifices made to keep it French.
How did the French government and Charles de Gaulle respond to the coup?
The government responded swiftly by forbidding flights in Paris and ordering the Army to resist the coup. President de Gaulle then delivered a powerful televised speech, wearing his wartime uniform, appealing directly to the French people and military to defend the Republic, which proved instrumental in isolating and defeating the putschists.
What was the outcome of the Algiers Putsch?
The Algiers Putsch was a complete failure. It garnered insufficient military support, and de Gaulle's strong leadership and public appeal quickly dismantled the rebellion. The plotters were subsequently arrested or went into hiding, and the event ultimately strengthened de Gaulle's hand in pursuing Algerian independence.