Desmichels Treaty

The Desmichels Treaty, signed in 1834 between French General Louis-Alexis Desmichels and Emir Abdelkader, was an agreement that marked a significant point in the French conquest of Algeria. This treaty, however, had two versions, with one making substantial concessions to Abdelkader without the French government's full knowledge or consent. This led to a breach of the agreement when French forces entered territory belonging to the emir, prompting Abdelkader to counterattack in 1839 and push the French back to the coast. The treaty's miscommunication and subsequent breach highlight the complex and often contentious nature of the French colonial efforts in Algeria during the 19th century.1