Europeans

In 1815 a U.S. navy squadron was sent against Algiers. The outlawing of piracy by international law, plus the new firepower and improved shipbuilding were bringing the pirate era to a close. In 1816 Dutch and British navys destroyed the Algerian fleet (map to the left). In 1830 France attacked Algeria in retaliation of continued Algerian attacks on trade vessels. The colonial period started. In 1942 Algiers became the headquarters of the Allied forces of North Africa. In 1943 the Free French government under the leadership of Charles DeGaualle set up its headquarters in Algiers. In 1957, Algiers became the center of activity in the Algerian War of Independence. In 1962 Algiers became the capital of free Algiers. The FLN arose out of independence. Factional disputes caused a civil war.