Colonial settlers’ deepest fear was expulsion, not political loss

Evidence

But beneath these racialist outbursts it was easy to discern a deep anxiety: the fear of being run out of the country. “What will become of us?” was a question that often recurred when day-to-day events were discussed. Paralyzed by their anxiety, these Europeans could imagine no other solution than the perpetuation of the status quo. What Algeria’s Frenchmen were most worried about, in fact, was whether or not they would be able to remain in Algeria. Having to leave—whether for France, Canada or Brazil (as some were contemplating)—meant exile. — Frantz Fanon, A Dying Colonialism, 556

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to settler-colonial theory on the metropole as an impossible ‘return’ for pieds-noirs — the fear that leaving Algeria would make them exiles everywhere. — connects to: Algeria’s European settlers feared expulsion more than anything else; Settlers feared that without wine and radio they would become Arabized — Frantz Fanon, A Dying Colonialism, 262; Colonial and settler hysteria differ in that settlers translate fear into murderous acts — Frantz Fanon, A Dying Colonialism, 281 (+1 more)

Related

• Algeria’s European settlers feared expulsion more than anything else (similarity 0.89)
• Algerians read the retreat of colonialism from settler fear and anger (similarity 0.83)
• Colonial fears about subject groups persisted without any actual rebellion (similarity 0.79)
• Settlers feared that without wine and radio they would become Arabized (similarity 0.78)
• European settlers’ aggressive demands for minority rights dissolved when assured of belonging (similarity 0.78)
• Colonial violence was driven by officials’ fantasies and anticipatory fears. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Colonial fears about subject groups persisted without any actual rebellion #corroborates (0.60)