The Origins of Morocco
Morocco has a very ancient history. The first human finds date back to 315,000 BC, and what is now Morocco was once one of the driest regions in the world. In that era, it resembled a savannah with much more fertile soil.
About 5,000 years before the year 0, several populations migrated from the Middle East, forming the ancestral families of the Berbers, who subsequently spread throughout the Mediterranean area. An interesting genetic similarity was discovered between the Berbers and the Saami of the Scandinavian area during DNA studies. This discovery supports theories of Berber migration to northern Europe before the last glaciation. The repopulation of those regions could therefore be attributed to this unexpected migration.
Tumultuos years from Arab dynasties to European protectorate
Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines settled in the area corresponding to Morocco and Mauritania, succeeding each other over the centuries until 788 AD when the first Arab dynasty took control of the region. It was the Idrisids who converted the Berbers to Islam and founded Fez, an important cultural, religious, and commercial center.
Following the Idrisids, several dynasties ruled Morocco, including the Almoravids, Almohads, Marinids, Watasids, Saadians, and finally the Alawidis. As a recurring phenomenon in history, between 1700 and 1800, there was an interest in new territories to be transformed into colonies. France and Britain were the first to arrive. Later, the Moroccan sultan, in an attempt to reclaim the territories of Ceuta and Melilla, incurred significant expenses in wars. France then occupied Moroccan territory to counter Spanish power. In 1912, Morocco officially became a French colony after Sultan Abd al-Hafz accepted the terms of the protectorate. This decision led to numerous revolts that ended with the abdication of the sultan, succeeded by his brother Yusef ben Hassan.
Morocco was soon invaded by thousands of Frenchmen who began the reorganization of territories. However, the area was divided between the French, Spanish, and Tangier International Protectorates. Bloody clashes marked this period, and the control exerted by the European powers was often limited to the cities, with several insurrections originating from rural areas. To quell these uprisings, numerous armies and weapons were deployed, resulting in high casualties.
Modern times
The independence movement began in 1943 with the founding of the nationalist party Istqlal. The party gained support from the Arab community and the exiled Sultan. Morocco sought support from the United States and Great Britain, but France preferred a diplomatic approach, leading to the recognition of Franco-Spanish independence for Morocco in March 1956.
In 1955, Sultan Mohamed V returned from exile and regained power as king. In 1961, the king died of a heart attack and was succeeded by his son Hassan II. It was evident from the beginning that the monarchy was weak and in crisis. To solidify his role, the king adopted a policy of violent oppression, which resulted in two attempted coup d’etats. In the early 1970s, the Green March began, involving the peaceful relocation of the population to areas with phosphate deposits, which were of fundamental importance to the country’s economy. In 1981, rising commodity prices led to numerous uprisings, which the king again chose to suppress violently by sending tanks to the population. This bloody episode will be remembered in history as the Casablanca uprising.
Morocco today
Discontent and protests continued until the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a policy of reopening. After the death of Hassan II in 1999, his son Mohammed VI ascended to power. Easing tensions between the government and the Moroccan population was one of the main pillars of the new king’s policy. The Institute for Berber Culture was founded, and a series of reforms called Madawwanna were approved to promote women’s rights and family. King Mohammed VI became the first Alawide ruler to marry a computer engineer, Salma Bennani, who was later named Princess.
The beginning of the new millennium demonstrated the Moroccan people’s desire to empower elected bodies such as parliament and government. Today, Morocco is governed by King Mohammed VI within a constitutional monarchy, with executive power in the government and legislative power divided between the government and the two parliamentary chambers.
