The Economic-political Role Of The Jewish Community In Algiers 1780-1830

Résumé: Prior to the French conquest of Algeria in 1830, a considerable part of its import-export trade was concentrated in the hands of the great Jewish merchants of Algiers. The principal articles of export were Algerian wheat, barley, and wool, but there were other items too: ivory, gold, silver, wax, coral, ostrich feathers, horses, cattle, hides, camel‘s hair, wine, and brandy. The Jews had agents and business correspondents in all the major ports of the Mediterranean, but their trade was particularly intensive with Liverno and Marseilles. From Europe were imported cotton goods, and silk, ironware, drugs, spices, coffee, paper, and a variety of other goods. Jews were permitted freely to purchase Christian slaves who had been captured on these piratical ventures. These captives were brought either for speculation or use as domestics. The Jews, of whom there are about five thousand in Algiers city, have the free exercise of their religion secured, they are governed by their own laws in civil cases, administrated by a chief of their own community, who is appointed by the Dey, as Algerian subjects they may circulate freely, establish themselves where they please, and exercise any lawful calling throughout Algeria, and they cannot be reduced to slavery.

Publié dans la revue: Annales de l’université d’Alger