Tripolitanian–French Relations and Their Diplomatic and Maritime Repercussions in the Mediterranean Basin(1633–1805)

Abstract

This study examines the historical and geopolitical trajectory of relations between the Regency of Tripoli and France during the period (1633–1805 AD), shedding light on the continuous fluctuations between military clashes, maritime activity, and reciprocal diplomacy. The study aims to bridge a historical gap by highlighting the early roots of consular relations since 1633, passing through the eras of the Beylerbeys, and culminating in the major transformations under the Karamanli dynasty—from the founder Ahmed Pasha, through Mohammed and Ali Pasha, to the peak of naval power and tribute imposition under Yusuf Pasha. Furthermore, the study analyzes the repercussions of the French expedition to Egypt and Malta (1798) on Tripoli, and how its Pashas employed a policy of balance and duplicity to safeguard the regency's independence amidst intense colonial rivalry between France and Britain in the Mediterranean basin. Adopting historical, inductive, and critical analytical methods, the research concludes that naval strength and active diplomacy served as the primary safeguards for Tripoli's prestige, whereas internal weakness led to the imposition of unfavorable treaties, making the regency a pivotal factor in great power competition in the Mediterranean.