Siege of Oran (1790–1792)

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Siege of Oran (1790–1792)

Oran in 1750
DateOctober 1790 – March 1792
Location
Oran
Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Regency of Algiers Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mohammed el Kebir Juan de Courten
Strength
30,000 men Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Heavy

The siege of Oran was a military campaign launched by the Regency of Algiers, led by Muhammad el Kebir, against the Spanish garrison of Oran. The Algerians occupied the city after a siege that lasted from 1790 to 1792, ending the Spanish occupation that lasted for 300 years.

Background[edit]

In 1785, the Spanish began negotiations with Algiers and were willing to cede Oran and Mers el-Kebir if they would be allowed to retain their trading posts in return for Algiers to cease their attacks on Spanish vessels.[1][2] The Algerians were happy with these terms; however, the Spanish population was outraged with these terms, forcing their government to delay carrying them out. The death of Charles III of Spain and the breakout of the French Revolution forced the Spanish to forget about Oran. The Dey of Algiers was becoming impatient with their false promises and began blockading Oran in 1789.[3]

Siege[edit]

In October 1790,[4] Muhammad Bey began the siege of Oran with an army of 30,000 men.[5] The Bey considered using mining explosives against the city walls; however, a violent earthquake struck Oran and devastated the town, destroying most of the city and killing more than 2,000 of its inhabitants.[6][7][8] The Algerians used this opportunity and launched a swift assault into the city, but the Spanish garrison resisted fiercely and repelled the assault. The Algerians then began besieging the city more closely.[9] The Spanish began opening negotiations in August or September 1791. Both sides agreed to a treaty which confirmed the earlier terms. In early 1792, the Spanish evacuated the town along with their belongings, and in March, the Algerians occupied the city.[10][11]

Aftermath[edit]

The Algerians began repopulating the city with Arabs and Jews, which remained under their control for 40 years.[12] The Ottoman sultan sent his praises, when the city returned under Muslim control, which ended the Spanish control that lasted three hundred years.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Alan G. Jamieson, p. 177
  2. ^ Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring, p. 559
  3. ^ Alan G. Jamieson, p. 177
  4. ^ Daniel Panzac, p. 40
  5. ^ Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring, p. 559
  6. ^ Alan G. Jamieson, p. 177
  7. ^ Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring, p. 559
  8. ^ Daniel Panzac, p. 40
  9. ^ Daniel Panzac, p. 40
  10. ^ Daniel Panzac, p. 40
  11. ^ Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring, p. 559
  12. ^ Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring, p. 559
  13. ^ Daniel Panzac, p. 40

Sources[edit]

  • Alan G. Jamieson (2013), Lords of the Sea, A History of the Barbary Corsairs.[1]
  • Noelle Watson, Paul Schellinger, & Trudy Ring (2014), Middle East and Africa, International Dictionary of Historic Places. Vol IV.[2]
  • Daniel Panzac (2005), Barbary Corsairs, The End of a Legend, 1800–1820.[3]
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