Tunis tram boycott

[1][2] The boycott took place in an atmosphere of high tension between the Arab population of the city and Italian settlers, just two months after the violent riots and attacks of the Jellaz Affair.

[4] The Italian drivers were particularly disliked by the Tunisians, for what they felt was a generally rude and hostile attitude, as well as reckless driving in busy areas of the city.

The boycott began on 9 February 1912, after a tram driven by an Italian knocked down and killed an eight-year-old Tunisian Arab child at Bab Saadoun.

This was the first time in North Africa that the indigenous inhabitants had attempted this kind of collective action, and the rigour with which it was pursued was very troubling to the French authorities.

To this, Ali Bach Hamba, one of the leading Young Tunisians, responded 'I ask myself why one wishes to involve France in these questions, where its interests are not in any way at stake.

On 13 March, before dawn, Bach Hamba, Hassan Guelati, Mohamed Nomane and Abdelaziz Thâalbi were summarily expelled from the country.