Coup Planning and Early Support

The podcast delves into the historical context of a coup d'état led by French generals in Algeria during the 1960s. On April 23, 1961, elements of the French military seized key points in Algiers, motivated by their opposition to Charles de Gaulle's negotiations with Algerian nationalists. Four generals leveraged their prestige to gain control over military forces in Algeria, believing that their strength could enable them to take control of the French government. This coup attempt represents a critical moment in France's struggle with decolonization, highlighting the tensions between traditional military loyalty and emerging political movements within France itself.