The Role of Exploratory Expeditions in Establishing French Expansionist Projects in the Algerian Sahara

Abstract

This paper examines the role of the exploratory expeditions undertaken by French officers and European explorers—such as René Caillié, Lieutenant Lapie, Avézac, General Devaux, Flatters, and Gerhard Rohlfs—in supporting French colonial policy in the Algerian Sahara. The study highlights how the findings of these expeditions were exploited to facilitate the exploration, occupation, and expansion of French influence throughout the Sahara.

The paper further analyzes the major colonial projects implemented by France, beginning with the proposal to connect northern Algeria with the Sahara through a railway network in 1853. These projects aimed to exploit the Sahara’s abundant natural resources, which were either scarce or unavailable in Europe, including dates, livestock, alfa grass, and henna, thereby strengthening the French economy.

Moreover, France sought to suppress the traditional trans-Saharan caravan trade, establish military dominance over the region, facilitate the movement of military convoys, create restricted military zones, and encourage European settlers to exploit oasis lands confiscated from their indigenous owners, causing severe economic hardship for the local population.

The study also discusses the promotion of Christian missionary activities, which significantly affected the religious and cultural identity of the inhabitants of southern Algeria. Finally, it demonstrates how the Algerian Sahara became a strategic military base for launching French expansion toward Sub-Saharan Africa, enabling the exploration of its routes and geographical features.