Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

2. Algeria under Ottoman Rule, 1519-1830
The treaty the city of Algiers signed with Spain in 1510 was one
providing more for unconditional surrender than for a long-term peace. It
included a number of conditions that turned Algiers to a vassal state paying
tribute and serving the interests of the Spanish monarch. 56 For the purpose,
Algiers had to evacuate its defensive forts, provide supplies for the presidios,
establish amicable relations with the allies of Spain, and close its ports to the
countries hostile to it. 57 To crown this humiliating treaty, Spain occupied and
fortified the Islet of the Penon which gave it control of the entrance to the port
of Algiers. The Penon occupied a particularly strategic position; by controlling
it, the Spaniards could easily control all sea-related activities by simply
forbidding access to the port. 58 Under such conditions, it became clear that the
economic life of Algiers depended solely on the good will of the Spanish
garrison there. The inhabitants of Algiers could hardly accept such a treaty.
More, they viewed badly submission and payment of tribute to a Christian
power. 59 Upon the death of King Ferdinand II in 1516, they considered that the
treaty was no more bounding and sent a delegation to the Barbarossa seeking
their assistance to throw off the Spanish yoke.
56 Prescott, Ferdinand and Isabella, p. 283; Gurkan, “Ottoman Corsairs,” p. 39.
57 Kaddache, L’Algérie Ottomane, pp. 6-7; Grammont, Histoire d’Alger, pp. 36-37.
58 Tassy, Royaume d’Alger, p. 9.
59 Kaddache, L’Algérie Ottomane, p. 7.
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