19th century
Tunisia
Tunisian resistance to the French protectorate followed the Bey’s forced acceptance of French protection on 12 May 1881. Revolts began in the Sahel and around Kayruwan, where resistance hoped for Ottoman intervention. French forces mounted a second expedition, bombarded Safakis and Kabis, besieged Kayruwan, and encountered sustained opposition in mountainous areas and southern territories near Tripolitania. The struggle also preserved an enduring symbolic connection with Ottoman Islamic sovereignty.
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The Story
France attacked Tunisia after a period in which Italy had pursued influence through immigration, investment, and cultural activity. The Bey, viewing pro-Ottoman sentiment among the elite as a threat to his prerogatives, relied on Italy and France. This course left him isolated when France acted, and on 12 May 1881 he was compelled to sign a treaty placing Tunisia under a French protectorate.
The inhabitants of the Sahel and the religious capital, Kayruwan, immediately revolted in the hope that the Ottoman state would intervene. French authorities raised a second expedition to suppress the movement. Naval units bombarded Safakis and Kabis, Kayruwan endured a long siege in autumn 1881, and mountainous regions in the north-west, centre, and south offered strong resistance.
Southern territories near Tripolitania remained insecure for a long time, while Tunisia’s population retained allegiance to Islamic sovereignty. The link with Constantinople was never completely severed, and the excerpt presents this continuing Ottoman connection as one foundation of early Tunisian nationalism.
19th century
Tunisia
Tunisian resistance to the French protectorate followed the Bey’s forced acceptance of French protection on 12 May 1881. Revolts began in the Sahel and around Kayruwan, where resistance hoped for Ottoman intervention. French forces mounted a second expedition, bombarded Safakis and Kabis, besieged Kayruwan, and encountered sustained opposition in mountainous areas and southern territories near Tripolitania. The struggle also preserved an enduring symbolic connection with Ottoman Islamic sovereignty.
Continue exploring
The Story
France attacked Tunisia after a period in which Italy had pursued influence through immigration, investment, and cultural activity. The Bey, viewing pro-Ottoman sentiment among the elite as a threat to his prerogatives, relied on Italy and France. This course left him isolated when France acted, and on 12 May 1881 he was compelled to sign a treaty placing Tunisia under a French protectorate.
The inhabitants of the Sahel and the religious capital, Kayruwan, immediately revolted in the hope that the Ottoman state would intervene. French authorities raised a second expedition to suppress the movement. Naval units bombarded Safakis and Kabis, Kayruwan endured a long siege in autumn 1881, and mountainous regions in the north-west, centre, and south offered strong resistance.
Southern territories near Tripolitania remained insecure for a long time, while Tunisia’s population retained allegiance to Islamic sovereignty. The link with Constantinople was never completely severed, and the excerpt presents this continuing Ottoman connection as one foundation of early Tunisian nationalism.