French Colonial Policy in Algeria: Integration and Naturalisation Policies as a Model

The policies of integration and naturalisation are among the most significant strategies that French colonialism sought to implement in the Algerian territory as part of a comprehensive colonial project. Its primary aim was to assimilate and dissolve Algerian identity within the French colonial entity politically, religiously, and culturally to extend its influence over the region and seize its wealth and resources, thereby attempting to subject the Algerian people to eternal rule. Within the framework of this integration policy, colonial France implemented various political, administrative, and judicial laws and legislation in Algeria. This paper seeks to present the most prominent laws before addressing the French naturalisation laws applied in colonial Algeria under successive governments and examining the position of Algerians, both elites and the general populace, towards these measures.