The French Protectorate

In the 19th century the beys' attempts to modernize Tunisia brought the country to financial ruin. France, one of the creditor nations, established a protectorate over Tunisia in 1881. Although the bey remained the head of state, the French resident-general headed the government. Large numbers of French settled in Tunisia, taking over most of the businesses, most of the best land, and most positions of authority.

Native resentment led to an independence movement headed first by the Destour party, founded in the early 1920's, and later by the Neo Destour party, founded in 1934. Revolts in 1938 were suppressed, and the Neo Destour leader, Habib Bourguiba, was imprisoned in France.

In World War II, after the fall of France in 1940, Bourguiba was released from prison by the German occupation forces, but when the Allied North African offensive took place in 1942–43, he called on the Tunisians to support the Allies. (