Algeria began as independent groups of natives under Ottoman control located in North Africa, east of Morocco. People have lived for years by operating well according to their own rules, culture, and ways of piracy. The French were attracted to the Algerians' control of the Mediterranean Sea and the trade opportunities it had. By expanding their empire, the French wanted to gain this influential power and ease of trade in the Mediterranean. After the successful conquest, France viewed the newly obtained colony as an extension of its own country and, without considering the natives, proceeded to change the daily lives of the native Algerians forever. Through the process of colonization, the French drastically influenced the social, political, and economic structures of Algeria by assimilating the native population. From the beginning of colonization, the French did not like the Islamic religion of the native Algerians and tried to eliminate it completely. The French thought they could do this by introducing more French culture into their society. Thus, French culture was completely integrated and made Islamic culture almost obsolete. Although other French colonists approved of assimilating the Algerians and granting them citizenship, most disagreed with any action that attempted to give equal rights to Muslims. At the end of the 19th century, members of the Muslim majority were considered second-class citizens compared to those of the European minority. This was due to the colonial policies adopted by the French. Other laws also held Muslim Algerians in contempt. They were defined as "subjects" and, unless they agreed to cease following Islamic laws, they would not be considered citizens (A... middle of paper... they would become the best kind of person. Thanks to the assimilation of the French, the idea of ​​the best kind of person was to be French. Changed the views of the native Algerians forever. Works Cited "Arabization Country Studies". : The Watson Institute, Brown University, 2005."The Colonization of Africa. africa.html>. 27 May 2014.