The insurrection known as the 'barricades week' unfolded in January 1960 when certain factions of European volunteers in Algiers took to the streets in armed rebellion against the French government. These volunteers, predominantly of European descent, were staunch supporters of maintaining French Algeria and were vehemently against the ongoing push for independence by the Algerian nationalist movements. In a display of force, the volunteers seized various government buildings, effectively challenging the authority of the local police and the French colonial administration.

The week-long uprising saw barricades erected across key streets in Algiers, transforming the city into a battleground. Violent clashes erupted between the armed volunteers and local police, resulting in significant unrest and drawing media attention to the internal conflict within Algeria. The situation escalated fears of a civil war between Europeans loyal to France and the growing nationalist sentiment among Algerians.

The French government responded with a heavy hand, deploying police and military forces to quell the insurrection, which further deepened the rift between the two communities. The events of 'barricades week' not only showcased the desperation of a group fighting to maintain their colonial hold but also underscored the complex dynamics at play, revealing the lengths to which some Europeans would go to resist Algerian independence efforts.