COUPS & CHAOS.

This article discusses the Algerian War and its impact on French democracy. It highlights the tactics used by the French armed forces in Algeria, including the use of a psych-ops unit to infiltrate and destabilize the Front de libération nationale (FLN), as well as the implementation of a quadrillage system and concentration camps. These tactics contained the insurgency in Algeria but caused political turmoil in France, leading to a coup by French forces in Algiers. Charles de Gaulle was eventually installed as French leader, and he offered Algeria a new status within France. The FLN declared the formation of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic, and the war continued with mounting casualties. De Gaulle announced a referendum on Algerian independence, which was opposed by a far-right paramilitary group called Organisation Armée Secrète (OAS). Despite their efforts, the referendum took place, and Algeria gained independence in 1962. The war resulted in significant loss of life and mass emigration. [Extracted from the article]