Ferhat Abbas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferhat Abbas
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فرحات عباس
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| President of the National Constituent Assembly of Algeria | |
| In office 25 September 1962 – 15 September 1963 |
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| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | El Hadj Benalla |
| Acting President of Algeria | |
| In office 25 September 1962 – 15 September 1963 |
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| Preceded by | Abderrahmane Farès |
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Ben Bella |
| President of the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic | |
| In office 18 September 1958 – 9 August 1961 |
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| Vice President | Krim Belkacem |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Benyoucef Benkhedda |
| Member of the French Constituent Assembly | |
| In office 1946–1955 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1899 Taher, Algeria |
| Died | 24 December 1985 (aged 86) Algiers, Algeria |
| Political party | FLN |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Algeria |
| Branch/service | French Army |
| Years of service | 1936–1938, 1940–1943 |
| Unit | Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Ferhat Abbas (Arabic: فرحات عباس; 24 August 1899 – 24 December 1985) was an important Algerian politician. He played a key role in Algeria's fight for independence from France. He served as the first Prime Minister of Algeria's provisional government from 1958 to 1961. After Algeria became independent, he became the first President of the National Assembly. His ideas about Algeria's future changed a lot over time, from wanting to work with France to demanding full independence.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ferhat Abbas was born in 1899 in a village called Taher, Algeria. His father, Said Ben Ahmed Abbas, was a local leader. His father had also received a special award from France called the Legion of Honor.
Young Ferhat went to school in Phillipeville (now Skikda) and Constantine. He then joined the French army's medical team, where he became a sergeant. Later, he studied pharmacy at the University of Algiers. After graduating, he worked as a pharmacist in Sétif. There, he started getting involved in politics. He was elected to local councils.
Changing Political Views
At first, Ferhat Abbas believed Algeria should stay connected to France. In 1936, he even wrote an article titled "I am France." However, he soon felt disappointed because Algerians were not treated equally. He wanted Algerians to have the same rights as the French.
In 1938, he started an organization called the Algerian Popular Union. This group wanted equal rights for both French and Algerians. It also aimed to protect Algerian culture and language.
World War II and New Demands
When World War II started, Abbas rejoined the French army's medical team. After the war, his political ideas changed even more. He became very unhappy with France. He wanted Algerian Muslims to fight alongside the French as equals, but his requests were refused.
He then became a strong supporter of Algerian independence. In 1943, he wrote the Manifesto of the Algerian People. This document clearly showed his new beliefs. He said that French colonial rule was wrong. He demanded that Algeria should govern itself. He also called for an Algerian constitution that would give equal rights to everyone.
Forming Political Parties
Abbas and his friends later added a demand for a fully independent Algeria. The French government rejected his ideas. Because of his activism, he was put in prison for a year.
In 1946, Abbas formed a new political party called the Union Démocratique du Manifeste Algérien (UDMA). This party wanted a more peaceful way to create an Algerian state. They hoped to work with the French. He was elected to the French Constituent Assembly that year. He also became the editor of a newspaper called Egalité. He continued to be active in politics until 1955. During this time, the French arrested him twice.
His efforts to achieve change peacefully did not succeed. In 1956, he moved to Cairo, Egypt. There, he worked with another revolutionary leader, Ahmed Ben Bella.
Joining the Fight for Independence
Ferhat Abbas did not like violence. He tried to find a peaceful solution between Algeria and France. But in 1956, the Algerian War of Independence became much more intense. So, 18 months after the war began, Ferhat Abbas joined the Front de Libération Nationale (FLN). The FLN was the main group fighting for Algeria's freedom.
The FLN used his diplomatic skills. He traveled to different countries, including those in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. His goal was to gain support for Algeria's independence. In 1957, he became the FLN's representative to the United Nations.
Leading the Provisional Government
In 1958, the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) was formed. This was a government-in-exile, meaning it operated from outside Algeria. Ferhat Abbas became its president on September 18, 1958. He was chosen because he was a respected moderate leader. Many Asian and African countries recognized this government.
As president, his main role was to be a public figure and a diplomat. Most of the power was held by the cabinet. Abbas tried to negotiate with French President Charles de Gaulle to end the war. However, they could not agree on a neutral place for talks.
In 1959, de Gaulle offered Algeria the chance to decide its own future through a vote. This plan was generally accepted, but there were still disagreements. By 1960, Abbas became frustrated with Western countries. He criticized the United Kingdom and the United States for selling weapons to France.
When talks broke down, Abbas looked for support from Eastern countries. In September 1960, he visited Communist China and the Soviet Union. He was welcomed warmly there. He explained his new alliances by saying:
We prefer to defend ourselves with Chinese Arms than to allow ourselves to be killed by the arms of the West.
He resigned from his position in the GPRA in August 1961. Benyoucef Ben Khedda took his place. Abbas then joined a group that opposed the GPRA. Ferhat Abbas was given a Pakistani diplomatic passport for his foreign travels because Pakistan supported Algeria's fight for independence.
After Algeria's Independence
Algeria finally gained independence on July 5, 1962. From September 1962 to September 1963, Ferhat Abbas was the president of the constitutional assembly. This assembly was supposed to write Algeria's new constitution.
However, the new President, Ahmed Ben Bella, quickly took control. Ben Bella decided to write the constitution without the assembly's approval. Ferhat Abbas resigned in protest. He was then removed from the FLN party. From 1964 to 1965, he was placed under house arrest, meaning he could not leave his home.
In 1976, he signed a statement with Benyoucef Benkhedda. This statement called for a democratic assembly to challenge the powerful military-backed President, Col. Houari Boumédiène. Because of this, he was again placed under house arrest.
Despite these challenges, Ferhat Abbas received official recognition for his efforts. On October 30, 1984, he was given the Medal of Resistance. Ferhat Abbas passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 24, 1985. He is buried in the El Alia Cemetery in Algeria.
Writings and Interests
Ferhat Abbas wrote several books about his ideas and experiences. His early articles are in a book called Le Jeune Algérien (The Young Algerian) (1931). His thoughts on democracy and history are in books like La nuit coloniale (The Colonial Night) (1962), Autopsie d'une guerre (Autopsy of a War) (1980), and L'indépendance confisquée (1984).
In his personal life, Ferhat Abbas enjoyed soccer, horseback riding, and reading. He especially liked the works of Victor Hugo and Sophocles. He married Marcelle Stöetzel in 1945, and they had one son named Halim.
See also
In Spanish: Ferhat Abbas para niños
Images for kids
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Ferhat Abbas, an important leader in Algeria's history.
