the first expressions of algerian nationalism started with the revolt of an algerian chief, emir abdelkader, against french colonial rule in the 1830s. it was only a stubborn and unsuccessful opposition, abdelkader's defence of his country can be seen as the first step to an eventual nationalist identity. it was, however, by no means the end of the resistance to the french presence in algeria since outbreaks of armed rebellion continued throughout the 19th century. the kabyles in the mountains east of algiers, for example, fought in the battle of icheridden in 1857 and rose again in 1871, when france had lost a war against prussia. anti-french revolts came up in the southern towns of touggourt and ouargla about the same time.