Learning to Revolt ― The Role of Students in the National Movement in Colonial Tunisia

Arguing that the role of students (and many others) has too often been left out in studies of the struggles against colonialism, Natsis (international affairs, West Virginia State College) explores how Tunisian students were educated; organized; integrated into the political scene; influenced by external ideologies of pan-Arabism, communism, and Western democracy; and affected psychologically by colonial education policy. He discusses the evolution of the African student organizations and explores how the French notions of libertT, egalitT et fraternitT helped seed disillusion among Tunisian students. After looking at participation of students in the anti-colonial movement, Natsis concludes that the thrust of the national movement was rooted in colonial education policy that attempted to assimilate a small elite, but instead sowed the seeds of discontent. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

James J. Natsis is Coordinator of the International Affairs Office, West Virginia State College, Institute.