Tunisia beylicale

The Tunisia beylicale begins in 1574, with the annexation of the territory by the Ottoman Empire, and is completed with the proclamation of the French protectorate on the country in 1881.

To control the province, the sultans of Istanbul entrust it to a vassal called “dey”, then with a bey. However, under the Dynasty beylicale of the Husseinites, the beys de Tunis acquire an autonomy in fact making of them truths monarchs of the country until the introduction of French protectorate.

The Othoman presence thus knows two distinct periods: the first being held under Turkish governorship and the second indicator to emerge a national sovereignty.

First centuries of occupation

Emancipation husseinite

Reforms of the XIXe century

Though remaining officially a province of the Ottoman Empire, Tunisia acquires a great autonomy at the 19th century. At that time, the country saw deep reforms like the Abolition of slavery and the adoption in 1861 of a Constitution - the first of the Arab world - which misses transforming the country into independent République.

Crisis of mode

The crisis of 1869, which leads the country to the bankruptcy then with the setting under supervision, is the result of a series of political errors and financial embezzlements which are worsened by the influence of the European powers.

Financial underhand dealings

Tunisia is less rich than the Algérie and the taxes, is 2,2 frank million gold in 1815, return badly. In same time, the bey covets the Tripolitaine. In 1848, to maintain its army 5000 men, the bey weighs down the taxation, which causes a revolt which is finally subdued. The taxation is reduced but a loan of 35 franc million but, ata rate of 7%, is contracted near the banking French.

However, the ill-considered expenditure continues: a palate of style of Versailles, Mohammedia, and another with Goulette, an equipped polytechnic school illiterate professors as well as an arsenal which does not build ships. Worse, the Minister for Finance and protected from the bey flees in France with the treasure. However, the diversions continue under its successors. This situation pushes the president of the Great Council, Kheireddine Pasha, to give his resignation and the Large Council to being dissolved.

With the beginning of the year 1864, a serious crisis bursts because of a bad financial management on behalf of the top dog Mustapha Khaznadar: rise in the national Debt, heavy loans contracted abroad under catastrophic conditions (continuation of the embezzlements and bribes) and doubly of the personal tax lead to a new revolt of the tribes of the center of the country which refuses to pay this tax. Shortly after the riot directed by Ali Ben Ghedhahem, the bey orders with his men to get busy with the collection of the mejba (kind of tax on the Récolte S). In the same time, Haydar Afendi, ambassador plenipotentiary for the Ottoman Empire, are able with an financial aid in order to cure the situation and to help the poor ones which does not cease assembling the tribes. The sum offered is entrusted by the bey to Khaznadar. But this one gives it to the chief of the treasury as if they were his own funds. Thereafter, Khaznadar recovers this sum for its personal use.

Once more, a loan of 30 franc million gold must be contracted, which causes the intervention of the European powers (in particular France).

Foreign interferences

In 1756, the Algerians go on Tunis. Not having a naval force, Rachid Bey concludes an arrangement with Malta which sends 3 vessels, of which one of first rank, to remain with damping in front of Goulette as a long time as the Algerians would not have moved away from Tunis. In exchange, the bey pours 100.000 piastres and must ensure the current expenditure of the ships. But the bey is finally beaten and the Maltese ships are withdrawn. The Algerians remove 3 Tunisian ships richly charged with foodstuffs.

In 1830, Hussein II Bey congratulates the general on Bourmont of the conquest of Algeria. However, Tunis then becomes “protected” from France which imposes reforms via its successive consuls.

In 1869, at the paroxysm of the financial crisis, a commission of administrative control, chaired by the tax inspector Victor Villet, is installation by the French with Britanniques and Italy NS. In 1873, Villet reveals the diversions of Khaznadar which is replaced by Kheireddine. But the reforms of this last dissatisfy the oligarchs which drive back it with the resignation in 1877. The following year, the Congrès of Berlin entrusts Tunisia to France with the agreement of the United Kingdom and the Germany. The March 30th 1881, of the mountain dwellers kroumirs penetrate in Algeria and are pushed back by the French who lose 4 soldiers. It is the occasion which Jules Ferry seizes to impose protectorate on the country vis-a-vis the anger of Italy which sees Tunisia like its reserved domain.

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