Maatoug, Fredj <br/><br/>
John F. Kennedy, France, and Algeria 

 -  2006.<br/>							 
<br/><br/> 37 
<br/><br/> On 2 July 1957, Senator John F. Kennedy delivered a resounding speech to the US Senate in which he denounced French colonialism in Algeria and proclaimed his support for Algerian independence. Should his position be explained by traditional American aversion to colonialism or by the desire to protect « America’s oldest ally » ? Against the background of the Cold War, reactions from the American heartland, from France, from Algeria and elsewhere were not long delayed. Some applauded the courage of the young senator. Others railed against this « Yankee exterminator of American Indians » who dared to criticize France after France had brought civilisation to Algerians and built their schools and hospitals.