In the 19th century, Tunisia was the first Arab
country to promulgate a Constitution and ban slavery, but economic
problems, abuses by the Beys and foreign interference were the source
of increased instability. In 1881, France declared Tunisia a
Protectorate, generating a strong anti-colonial reaction in the
country.
Tunisia
as a French Protectorate: AD 1881-1934
French control over Tunisia, achieved in 1881, brings to
an end several decades of diplomatic jockeying between three
colonials powers, France, Britain and Italy. All three are officially
involved in the region from 1869.
The local dynasty of beys
(technically subordinate to the Turkish sultan but in practice
independent) have in recent decades spent lavishly to modernize their
country, using funds borrowed in Europe. The programme, accompanied
by necessary attempts to in crease taxes, creates profound local resentment. By
1869 it is clear that the province is bankrupt. France, Britain and
Italy are placed jointly, by international agreement, in control of
Tunisian finances.
This arrangement is inevitably a platform on which three
rival colonial powers jockey and trade for position. France and
Britain stand together in 1871 when the Italians begin to press
vigorous claims (justified in the sense that Italy has more
investment and more nationals settled in Tunisia than either other
contender).
By 1878 France and Britain come to a quiet
agreement that the British will allow Tunisia to be a French sphere
of influence in return for French acceptance of the recently
established British presence in Cyprus. This still leaves the
Italians as the chief claimants for a colonial presence in Tunisia,
until the French make a pre-emptive strike in 1881.
Using the pretext that some Tunisian tribesmen have
strayed into the neighbouring French colony of Algeria, a French army
of some 36,000 men is sent across the border. As they advance upon
Tunis, the bey decides it will be prudent to come to terms. The 1881
treaty of Bardo (also known as Al Qasr as Sa'id) guarantees French
protection for the bey's territory and dynasty, but it also limits
his authority to internal affairs. All other aspects of Tunisian
policy are henceforth to be dealt with by the French.
This
sudden lapse into colonial status brings many material benefits to
Tunisia. But it provokes, through the following decades, a crescendo
of resistance.
The Young Tunisian Party is formed in 1907 to agitate
for Tunisian autonomy. In 1920 a more aggressive group calling itself
Destour ('constitution') puts forward a demand for full independence.
From 1922 Destour has the support of the bey. But the French, by a
judicious blend of repression and concessions, ensure that there is
little progress.
By 1934 the younger nationalists are again
impatient. They break away from Destour, calling themselves
Neo-Destour. This event brings into prominence a politician destined
to play the central role in the future relationship between France
and Tunisia and then in the affairs of independent Tunisia. The
secretary-general of the new party is Habib Bourguiba.
About Tunisia 
