Part 4/9:
As the 19th century approached, France intensified its imperial ambitions, with North Africa becoming a primary focus. The invasion of Algiers in 1830 marked a pivotal moment in Franco-Algerian relations, triggered by dubious diplomatic provocations. French military superiority swiftly crushed the Algerian resistance, establishing a colonial rule that extended over a century. This brutal conquest seeded profound resentment and set the stage for a long, bloody struggle for Algeria's independence.