The Impact of Conscription on Tunisians during World War II on the Spread of National Awareness (1939-1945)

Abstract

World War II had a direct impact on Tunisians for several reasons, including its important strategic location and the fact that it was under French protection, one of the parties to the conflict. The latter exploited its material and human resources by conscripting them into the French army and sending them to various fronts. The conscription of Tunisians contributed to their mixing with various conscripts from French colonies, exchanging national ideas .National movement activists took advantage of the current situation to promote their anti-conscription propaganda against Tunisians in a war that did not concern them. The conscripts imbued with national ideas spread propaganda that played a role in raising national liberation awareness among the soldiers, leading to instances of desertion and rebellion against the French policy of discrimination between French and Tunisian soldiers in ranks, salaries, and places of service