1898 - 1989
Resident minister of Algeria from 1956 to 1958.
Robert Lacoste was a socialist who served as resident minister during the Algerian War of Independence under the Mollet, Bourgès-Maunoury, and Gaillard Fourth Republic governments. He supported repression, which included torture, thereby eroding civilian control, in order to keep Algeria under French control. Lacoste also promoted accelerated social and economic programs, highlighted by his efforts to "Algerianize" the administration. He increased Algeria's departments (to twelve) and drafted the Loi Cadre (enabling or framework law) designed to enhance internal autonomy and Muslim representation. He was a fervent advocate of France's involvement in the Suez War of October 1956. Lacoste later served in the French senate from 1971 to 1980.
Bibliography
Horne, Alistair. A Savage War of Peace: Algeria, 1954 - 1962, 2d edition. New York: Penguin, 1987.
— PHILLIP C. NAYLOR
