The Spanish Colonial Project in Algeria and the Limits of Hegemony: An Examination of the Mechanisms of Social Resistance During the Sixteenth Century

Abstract

Against the backdrop of a shifting balance of power between Muslims and Christians, Algeria witnessed an escalation of Spanish campaigns along its coasts, which benefited from the fragmentation of the Maghreb. Algerian society, however, confronted the occupation through resistance led by religious and Sufi elites and local emirs, who mobilised identity and religious discourse in response to the invasion. This study examines the role of identity and spiritual authority in strengthening resistance to the Spanish occupation, particularly through the mobilisation of the Andalusian cause and religious discourse following Algeria's incorporation into the Ottoman state, thereby helping consolidate identity in the face of cultural influence. The research adopts a historical method based on description and analysis, alongside the comparative method, while maintaining neutrality and avoiding preconceptions.