The day is October 31, 1954. Algeria is under French control, but tensions are bubbling. Many countries were liberated from their colonizers after WWI, and France made a similar promise to increase Algeria’s autonomy after WWII if Algerians helped fight the Nazis. 

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However when the time rolled around for the French to keep their word, they instead kept their control over Algeria for, at least in their minds, the Algerians were not ready for self-government. The discontent this caused came to a head in the Sétif and Guelma Massacre in 1945: 6,000 to 45,000 Algerians were killed by French soldiers. Nothing so major has happened since, but now there are rumors starting to go around about a new organization that’s forming—a nationalist group that aims to take on France and liberate Algeria. These are all unfounded, of course, but no one would be surprised considering that Franco-Algerian relations have turned bitter. Still, France is keen on retaining Algeria, not only because of their history ruling them starting in 1834 (it would be quite the international embarrassment to lose Algeria at this point!), but also because of the numerous French transplants, also known as pieds-noirs, and the region’s close proximity.

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Delegates will be allied with France or Algeria, and have to balance dealing with political turmoil and their own goals as they navigate what may soon become an all-out war. Both sides have powerful and charismatic players who are under intense pressure to tip the scales in their own favor and are willing to do whatever it takes in order to ensure their success. Delegates working under France will need to use France’s international allegiances and military might to snuff out any rebellion. Delegates working for Algeria are fighting on their home turf, and even though they are working against a major world power, they can still band together for the best shot at gaining their independence. Both sides must take care, as traitors may be in your midst. In any case, the battle ahead will not be easy, and delegates should have their wits about them to ensure their preferred outcome.