ABSTRACT
The history of French colonization in Algeria is characterized by a contradiction between the economic motives and goals of the colonists and their political justifications. This contradiction was reflected in the various forms of administration to which Algeria was subjected. After more than three hundred years of subjection to Turkish rule, Algerian society fell into the grip of a new colonizer. Soon after they invaded Algiers, the French embarked upon a policy aimed at systematically destroying Algerian society for the purpose of realizing capital accumulation. Between 1830 and 1834, Algeria was under exclusively military rule. Initially, the military administration was superimposed on the Turkish one. "Bureaus of Arab Affairs" were created to serve as liaison between the French command and the Algerian administrators. These Bureaus were composed of interpreters, judges, technical advisers and intelligence officers. The most important act of sovereignty that the French government took was the destruction of the indigenous property system.
