Collections | Migrations | North–South movements | A matter of land: Agricultural settlements in Tunisia [5 Objects, 3 Monuments]

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Introduction to the Chapter

Colonial farms

19th century

Grombalia, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

French and Italian settlers introduced new styles of peasant housing in the Tunisian countryside. Such buildings, which were very different from the peasant houses of the local tradition, made the presence of European settlers evident at first glance.

Colonial farms

19th century

Grombalia, Tunisia

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Colonial farms

19th century

Béja, Tunisia

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 Justification for this item

This colonial farm in Tunisia is modelled on French rural architecture. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rural landscape in Tunisia was transformed by the construction of many European-style farmhouses.

Colonial farms

19th century

Béja, Tunisia

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Railway station

19th century

Grombalia, Tunisia

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Railway station

19th century

Grombalia, Tunisia

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Farmers and sharecroppers at Munchar with their families

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

French governmental policy aimed at reducing the imbalance between French and Italian settlers in Tunisia was only partially successful. The number of French residents grew, but so did that of the Italians. In 1911, the French population in Tunisia numbered 46,044 while the Italian one had risen to 81,156.

St. Cyprien. Post office. School

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

In 1903, 20 children attended this small rural school, established on the estates of Saint Cyprien, owned by one of the most powerful French landowning companies, the Société des fermes françaises de Tunisie.

St. Cyprien. Post office. School

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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Saint-Cyprien. Combine harvesters and sheaf binders on the road

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

The Société des fermes françaises de Tunisie was founded in 1899. By 1904, it owned 3,000ha of land (mostly in the region of Beja). By 1914, Europeans had acquired 920,000ha of land in Tunisia. Big landowning companies such as the Société employed European sharecroppers to run their farms, which were generally between 50 and 100ha.

Munchar - arrival of the post

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

In Tunisia, during the first decades of the French Protectorate (1881–1956), the Italians largely outnumbered French settlers. In 1896, the French population amounted to 16,207 and the Italian to 55,572. French authorities considered this demographic imbalance a political threat and encouraged French peasants to settle in Tunisia by offering them incentives.

Munchar - arrival of the post

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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Italian peasants in Tunisia

First years of the 20th century

Italian Geographical Society (SGI)

Rome, Italy

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 Justification for this item

Thousands of Italian immigrants in Tunisia initially worked as agricultural labourers. Over time, many were able to become sharecroppers and, after decades of saving, were able to buy land. The entire family participated in agricultural work, contributing to household welfare.

Italian peasants in Tunisia

First years of the 20th century

Italian Geographical Society (SGI)

Rome, Italy

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Introduction to the Chapter