Causes of Algerian coup 1965

The Algerian coup of 1965 took place on June 19, 1965. It was a bloodless coup led by Colonel Houari Boumédiène, who overthrew the first President of Algeria, Ahmed Ben Bella accusing him of being authoritarian. This coup marked a significant turning point in Algerian history, as it shifted the power dynamics within the country and set the stage for Boumédiène’s leadership until his death in 1978. This coup was inevitable due to the following reasons.

• Authoritarian Rule: Ahmed Ben Bella’s increasingly authoritarian rule and centralization of power alienated many within the government and military. He appointed himself to multiple key positions, including Secretary General of the Party and Minister of the Interior, which created fear and resentment among other leaders.
• Political Repression: Ben Bella’s regime was marked by political repression, including the imprisonment and marginalization of political opponents. This created a climate of fear and instability within the government.
• Economic Challenges: Algeria faced significant economic challenges, including high unemployment and economic inequality, which led to widespread dissatisfaction with Ben Bella’s leadership.
• Military Discontent: The military, particularly the Algerian Land Forces, was increasingly dissatisfied with Ben Bella’s policies and his attempts to control the military directly. This discontent was a crucial factor in the coup, as many military leaders saw Boumédiène as a more stable and capable leader.
• External Influences: The geopolitical context of the Cold War also played a role, as Boumédiène’s connections with the Soviet Union and other Arab countries provided him with external support for the coup.
• Neglect of education and health: Bella’s government neglected education and health sectors annoying the Algerians.
• Inspiration factor: The coup was inspired by the success of the 1952 coup in Egypt.
• Corruption: Bella’s government was marred with widespread corruption causing the failure to provide public services.

The combination of the factors above made the 1965 Algerian Coup inevitable.

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Dr. Bbosa Science