Tunisian nationalism

Tunisian nationalism refers to the nationalism of Tunisians and Tunisian culture.[1] Tunisian nationalism's origins stretch back to the 19th century; however, Tunisian nationalism became a significant political force after 1908 with the founding of the Young Tunisians movement, and the more significant Destour (Arabic for "Constitution) Party established after World War I.[1] The Destour Party called for Tunisian autonomy within the French Empire and that France should not dominate Tunisia's politics and society.[1] France responded by banning the Destour Party in 1933, resulting in the rise of a more radical nationalist party, the Neo-Destour Party being formed in 1934 led by Habib Bourguiba.[1] The Neo-Destour Party demanded independence of Tunisia from France, though it respected French and Western culture and sought to maintain close links with France after independence was achieved.[1]

Flag of Tunisia

Today, Tunisian nationalism asserts that Tunisians constitute a separate ethnic group, distinct from other Maghrebi groups or the larger Arab nation. Tunisian nationalism also affirms that Tunisians have a distinct culture and language, that were both synthesized over centuries with the different groups and political entities that were present in modern Tunisian territories, notably Berbers, Punics, Romans, as well as Arabs and Turks. This belief is supported by the fact that Tunisia has one of the oldest borders in the Arab world, stretching back to the era of Roman Africa, as well as Hafsids and Aghlabids. Tunisia's first president, Habib Bourguiba, supported the idea that Tunisians constitute a distinct cultural identity that belongs to the Arab-Islamic civilization but has a Mediterranean essence and a distinct cultural heritage, notably that of Carthage.