18th century – 19th century
Algeria and the western Maghrib
The Algerian Regency was an Ottoman polity that retained a foreign military ruling class longer than the neighboring regencies. Its eighteenth-century government combined privateering, European cereal trade, tribute from Tunis, and taxation enforced by armed expeditions. Power increasingly concentrated in the dey, while provincial beys relied on local notables and some kulughli families. Social and regional opposition persisted until the French conquest halted possible political nationalization.
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The Story
Among the three Maghribi regencies, Algiers preserved an alien military ruling class for the longest time. Privateering declined but continued selectively against Christian states such as Spain, while Scandinavian countries and several Italian states paid tribute to protect their merchant shipping. At the same time, France and England expanded commercial relations with Algiers, chiefly purchasing cereals.
The regime's ruling class also profited from warfare against neighboring states. Algerian interventions in Tunis in 1735 and 1756 produced booty and generated a disguised tribute from Tunis between 1756 and 1807. At home, taxes continued to be collected through the mahalla, an armed expedition serving the Turkish caste, whose policy excluded kulughli from the militia and higher offices.
Since the late seventeenth century, the dey increasingly monopolized power and drew support from a small circle of Turkish dignitaries. This strengthened the stability and effectiveness of the Algerian regime; between 1710 and 1798, deys generally remained longer in office, including Muhammad b. 'Uthman, who ruled from 1766 to 1791. In the provinces, however, beys depended increasingly on local leaders, and Dey 'Ali Khodja later eliminated the remaining Janissary militia with support from the kulughli and Zwawa.
These changes did not remove opposition. Kabyle insurrections, uprisings in Oran led by religious brotherhoods, and revolts in Constantine challenged the political order. A possible nationalization of the Algerian regime was overtaken by the French conquest, which ended a development the extract presents as having begun too late.
18th century – 19th century
Algeria and the western Maghrib
The Algerian Regency was an Ottoman polity that retained a foreign military ruling class longer than the neighboring regencies. Its eighteenth-century government combined privateering, European cereal trade, tribute from Tunis, and taxation enforced by armed expeditions. Power increasingly concentrated in the dey, while provincial beys relied on local notables and some kulughli families. Social and regional opposition persisted until the French conquest halted possible political nationalization.
Continue exploring
The Story
Among the three Maghribi regencies, Algiers preserved an alien military ruling class for the longest time. Privateering declined but continued selectively against Christian states such as Spain, while Scandinavian countries and several Italian states paid tribute to protect their merchant shipping. At the same time, France and England expanded commercial relations with Algiers, chiefly purchasing cereals.
The regime's ruling class also profited from warfare against neighboring states. Algerian interventions in Tunis in 1735 and 1756 produced booty and generated a disguised tribute from Tunis between 1756 and 1807. At home, taxes continued to be collected through the mahalla, an armed expedition serving the Turkish caste, whose policy excluded kulughli from the militia and higher offices.
Since the late seventeenth century, the dey increasingly monopolized power and drew support from a small circle of Turkish dignitaries. This strengthened the stability and effectiveness of the Algerian regime; between 1710 and 1798, deys generally remained longer in office, including Muhammad b. 'Uthman, who ruled from 1766 to 1791. In the provinces, however, beys depended increasingly on local leaders, and Dey 'Ali Khodja later eliminated the remaining Janissary militia with support from the kulughli and Zwawa.
These changes did not remove opposition. Kabyle insurrections, uprisings in Oran led by religious brotherhoods, and revolts in Constantine challenged the political order. A possible nationalization of the Algerian regime was overtaken by the French conquest, which ended a development the extract presents as having begun too late.
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