| Beylik of Tunis | ||||
| Protectorate of the French Empire (From 1881 to 1956) |
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Flag of the bey of Tunis |
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| Anthem Beylical Anthem |
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| The Beylik of Tunis | ||||
| Capital | Tunis | |||
| Government | Monarchy | |||
| Bey | ||||
| - 1705-1735 | Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki | |||
| - 1943-1956 | Muhammad VIII al-Amin | |||
| History | ||||
| - Established | 15 July 1705 | |||
| - Protectorate | 12 May 1881 | |||
| - Independence | 20 March 1881 | |||
| - Republic declared | 25 July 1957 | |||
| Currency | Rial until 1891 | |||
Contents |
The Beylik of Tunis was founded on July 15, 1705, after the Husainid Dynasty led by Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki defeated the Turkish Deys.
Although defeating the Deys in theory, Tunisia continued to be a vassal of the Ottoman empire and the Friday prayer was pronounced in the name of the Ottoman Sultan, money was coined in his honour, and an annual ambassador brought gifts to Istanbul but the Ottomans never again exacted obedience.
In the 19th century, the country became mostly autonomous, although it was still officially an Ottoman province. In 1861, Tunisia enacted the first constitution in the Arab world, but a move toward independence was hampered by the poor economy and political unrest. In 1869, Tunisia declared itself bankrupt, and an international financial commission with representatives from France, United Kingdom, and Italy took control over the economy.
Tunisia became a protectorate of France on May 12, 1881, after the French claimed that Tunisian troops had crossed the border into their colony of Algeria. Tunisia was occupied by Germany from 1942 until 1943.
Tunisia received its independence from France March 20, 1956, as a constitutional monarchy with the Bey of Tunis, Muhammad VIII al-Amin, becoming the king of Tunisia. The new kingdom only lasted until July 25, 1957, when a republic was declared.