In 1881, the conquest of Tunisia was initiated by the French Third Republic. The invasion began on 28 April 1881, and lasted until 28 October 1881. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Bardo was signed on 12 May 1881. According to the treaty, the Beylik of Tunis would become a French protectorate from 1881 to 1956, when Tunisia regained its independence as the Kingdom of Tunisia.