Muhammad VIII al-Amin
Encyclopedia
Muhammad VIII al-Amin was the last bey of Tunisia
(15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad VI al-Habib
, bey of Tunis
.
Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces
deposed his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif
on the accusation that he was a Vichy
collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia
and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba
, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace
with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone
lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest
15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.
Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence
at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis
and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad was succeeded as head of the Husainid Dynasty
and heir to the throne and titular king by Husain Bey
.
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
(15 May 1943 and 20 March 1956). He was the first head of state (as king or bey) of independent Tunisia from 1956 until he was deposed in 1957. He was the son of Muhammad VI al-Habib
Muhammad VI al-Habib
Muhammad VI al-Habib was the ruler of Tunisia from 10 July 1922 until 11 February 1929.He was born at the Palace of Bardo the only son of Prince Muhammad al-Ma'mun Bey. He was appointed heir apparent with the title Bey al-Mahalla on May 12, 1906...
, bey of Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
.
Muhammad became bey after the Free French Forces
Free French Forces
The Free French Forces were French partisans in World War II who decided to continue fighting against the forces of the Axis powers after the surrender of France and subsequent German occupation and, in the case of Vichy France, collaboration with the Germans.-Definition:In many sources, Free...
deposed his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif
Muhammad VII al-Munsif
Muhammad VII al-Munsif was the ruler of Tunisia between 19 June 1942 and 14 May 1943.He was born in La Manouba the son of Muhammad V an-Nasir Pasha. He was appointed heir apparent to the Beylik of Tunis with the title of Bey al-Mahalla on April 30, 1942.Muhammad became bey of Tunis on the death...
on the accusation that he was a Vichy
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
collaborator. On 20 March 1956 he proclaimed the independence of Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and became King of Tunisia with the style of His Majesty. A monarchy did not meet the expectations of future president Habib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba was a Tunisian statesman, the Founder and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 until 7 November 1987...
, who replaced the Royal Guard at Carthage Palace
Carthage Palace
Carthage Palace is the presidential palace of Tunisia, located along the Mediterranean Sea in Tunis....
with his own loyal soldiers. By his command all the telephone
Telephone
The telephone , colloquially referred to as a phone, is a telecommunications device that transmits and receives sounds, usually the human voice. Telephones are a point-to-point communication system whose most basic function is to allow two people separated by large distances to talk to each other...
lines to the palace were cut and the king put under house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
15 July 1957, and on 25 July the Tunisian Constituent Assembly deposed the king.
Muhammad was moved to a government-watched residence
House
A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...
at La Manouba, but was permitted to return to Tunis after his wife died. He never abdicated his throne rights. He died in Tunis
Tunis
Tunis is the capital of both the Tunisian Republic and the Tunis Governorate. It is Tunisia's largest city, with a population of 728,453 as of 2004; the greater metropolitan area holds some 2,412,500 inhabitants....
and was buried at the Tomb of King Muhammad al-Amin. Muhammad was succeeded as head of the Husainid Dynasty
Husainid Dynasty
The Husainid Dynasty is the former ruling dynasty of Tunisia originally of Cretan origin. They came to power under Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki in 1705 replacing the Muradid Dynasty. After taking power the Husainids ruled as Beys with succession to the throne determined by age with the oldest...
and heir to the throne and titular king by Husain Bey
Husain Bey, Crown Prince of Tunisia
Husain Bey Gouta, Crown Prince of Tunisia was the titular head of the Husainid Dynasty. He was the third son of Muhammad V an-Nasir, Bey of Tunis, by his second wife, Lalla Husn ul-Ujud, from 1906 until 1922.-Biography:...
.