Tuberculosis in Algeria as part of colonization: high death rates and false explanations During French colonial rule in Algeria (1830-1962), tuberculosis became a major killer disease. The French brought this deadly sickness with them when they invaded Algeria. Before the French came, tuberculosis was not a big problem for Algerian people. The disease spread quickly through Algerian communities during colonial times. By the 1930s and 1940s, studies showed that tuberculosis infection rates were very high. In 1938, about 5 out of every 100 Algerian people got infected with tuberculosis each year. By 1948, this number was still about 4 out of every 100 people. Around 300 out of every 100,000 Algerians got tuberculosis each year before independence. Why tuberculosis in Algeria spread so fast under colonial rule The French colonial system created perfect conditions for tuberculosis to spread among Algerian people. The colonial government took away good land from Algerians …
