Battle of Algiers

The Battle of Algiers presents a chilling tale of the Algerian struggle to achieve independence from the overwhelming regime of France. Random attacks by the National Liberation Front (FLN) escalated to the point of French involvement being led by the French under the helm of General Mathieu. The controversial use of persecution and torture triggered mass international support for the FLN and an outbreak of moral disgust. This being said, the history of the French and Algerians goes back for many decades, leaving me to believe the controversy truly lies in the past. The Algerians were the first possessors of the land being fought over, and according to Hobbes 14th law of nature it would be unjust for the French to invade Algeria. The actions carried out by the French clearly violated Hobbes 14th law of nature, which is why the choices demonstrated by the Algerians were morally acceptable, and in turn, led to further political hostility and aggression.

The national identity of Algeria has changed multiple times throughout of its existence. It has been occupied by the Romans, Phoenicians,

Ottoman Empire, and in 1830 the French began its invasion (Algeria-History).

Although the national identity has been diverse, the Arab culture has dominated the identity of the citizens of Algeria. My point is that they are the "first born" and according to Thomas Hobbes' 14th law of nature, the French did not have the right to invade Algeria in the first place (Hobbes, p. 72). So in accordance, the Algerians were morally justified in reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. Hobbes states, "Things that cannot be enjoyed in common or divided ought to be judged to have been acquired through a lottery." Clearly there could not be an arbitrary lottery because the French and the FLN could not agree upon division of the land. There should have been a natural lottery in favor of the Algerian people; however, because the history is so complicated, the lines get muddled. If the...