Ferienlager gegen die Rebellion. Jumelages und Colonies de vacances im Algerienkrieg (1959–1962)

Abstract

Holiday Camps against the Rebellion. Jumelages and Colonies de vacances in the Algerian War (1959–1962)

The article discusses a still unexplored aspect of the Algerian War (1954–1962). Due to the Algerian question, the French government increasingly came under international and domestic pressure. Starting in 1959, Paris therefore began to establish a broad network of partnerships involving the Algerian arrondissements and the départements of metropolitan France. These Franco-Algerian co-operations were called partnerships and were organised in close consultation with the local representatives in metropolitan France. They should facilitate the colonial propaganda at the regional level. Furthermore, they created the framework, which allowed shortterm stays of over 8000 Algerian children in holiday camps in French twin-départements. The purpose of these undertakings was both to strengthen the relationships between Algeria and metropolitan France, and to maintain the colonial status quo, which were both threatened by the Algerian War.