Soon after the conquest of Algiers, the soldier-politician Bertrand Clauzel and others form a company to acquire agricultural land and, despite official discouragement, to subsidize its settlement by European farmers, triggering a land rush.

Clauzel recognizes the farming potential of the Mitidja Plain and envisions the production there of cotton on a large scale.

As governor general (1835-36), he uses his office to make private investments in land and encourages army officers and bureaucrats in his administration to do the same.

This development creates a vested interest among government officials in greater French involvement in Algeria.

Commercial interests with influence in the government also begin to recognize the prospects for profitable land speculation in expanding the French zone of occupation.

They create large agricultural tracts, build factories and businesses, and exploit  cheap local labor.