Which European powers colonized Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers established colonial control over North Africa through military conquest, protectorates, and diplomatic agreements.12

  • Algeria: France began its conquest of Algeria in 1830 with the capture of Algiers. Over the following decades, France solidified its control, eventually incorporating the territory into metropolitan France and administering it through a system that favored European settlers.13
  • Tunisia: France established a protectorate over Tunisia in 1881 following an invasion. This indirect form of rule preserved the administration of the bey of Tunis under French supervision, a status solidified by the 1883 Convention of Al-Marsa.14
  • Morocco: France established a protectorate over Morocco in 1912. As part of the colonial partition, France divided the territory with Spain, which took control of the Rif Mountains in the north and the border region in the south.12
  • Libya: Italy invaded Libya in 1911, which was then under Ottoman rule. Following a prolonged period of resistance, Italy secured control of the country by 1931.12