Abstract:
This article discusses the way the French army's use of torture during the Algerian
war (1954-1962) is taught in terminale history class in contemporary France. In
recent years the issue of torture has re-emerged in the public sphere and has
attracted considerable media coverage. Through a case study of this vector of
memory, the article appraises the teaching of history by drawing on interviews
with historians, teachers and pupils in France as well as on written sources such
as textbooks and examination questions. While highlighting the significant
weaknesses of this teaching, the article argues that new forums to discuss the past
are urgently needed, particularly. concerning colonialism, decolonisation and the
Maghreb.
