The French and Spanish protectorate in Morocco

Morocco is the only country in the Maghreb (and the Arab-Muslim world) to have been occupied by two foreign powers during the colonial period: France and Spain. Even if the occupation was not so long (44 years) than for Tunisia (75) and Algeria (132 years), the story seems equally loaded. For example, throughout the colonial Maghreb, it was only in Morocco took place a war between the colonial power and the colonized countries (Rif War, 1921-1926). Although it was not until the popular protests against the Berber Dahir in 1930 to a genuine political and intellectual resistance structure. Figures of Moroccan nationalism of the time will be key figures in the newly independent Morocco. Of course, so many facts deserve studies apart from each other, but it will be here for a quick overview, a summary of the facts.
The Treaty of French Protectorate signed in Fez March 30, 1912, was based in fact on Article 8 of the Franco-British declaration of 8 April 1904 (Entente Cordiale), which states in part a logical dialogue between France and Spain (which has not yet formalized its protectorate over areas of influence that are already assigned to it). Regions within these areas of influence (in the north of the mouth of the Moulouya the Mediterranean that Loukkos the Atlantic, except for the enclave reserved for future territory of the Tangier area - in south of the lower reaches of the Rio Dra colony de Oro), should remain officially under the Treaty of the Protectorate (this is of course an illusion) under the civil and religious authority of the Sultan, and would be "administered under the control of a Khalifa provided a general and permanent delegation of the Sultan, under which it will exercise all the powers belonging to it "

The treaty signed, it was necessary to settle solidly in the country. This task will be assigned to the first French Resident General of Morocco, Hubert Lyautey. The future Minister of War and Marshal of France will seek to make alliances with the big shots and heads of tribes and confederations. If he succeeds in Marrakech where the Pasha Glaoui leads the submission of the region on behalf of the colonial power, many other regions do not agree to be bound. Regions which are then conquered by force throughout 1914 including (Middle Atlas, Anti-Atlas). Each of the two colonial powers had led his military wars of conquest in the territory under the Franco-Spanish Treaty of November 1912, under which they have shared territorial areas of influence in the north and south of the Empire Cherifian . If the Treaty of Spanish Protectorate in Morocco is signed on 27 November 1912, not this year which marks the beginning of true Spanish penetration in the country. This is as follows. It was not until February 1913, in fact, that the Spaniards settled in Tetuan their first High Commissioner, General Alfau, and they do appoint as Khalifa, by Sultan Moulay Youssef, his own brother, Moulay El Mehdi. Military installation is more delicate. For the powerful Caid el Raissouli, holding the triangle Larache-Ksar El-Xaouen gives the impression of being very versatile, sometimes allying sometimes opposing. In the years following the First World War Spain will remain in limbo, the Spanish-German predicting a German victory and thus quickly diminished role of France in Morocco. The armistice of 1918 is therefore a new assomante for them. Spain had not taken advantage of the conflict to expand its influence in Morocco at the expense of France too busy on European battlefields, because the latter had remained remarkably vigilance, even meticulous. For example, in the 1915-1916 period had been reached between Paris and Madrid, a series of technical conventions designed to regulate postal relations, judicial or other area to area. Something which proves that France succeeded in the heart of the conflict to deal with fussy way to its Moroccan protectorate.

France, is effective in pacifying its protectorate area, Spain stumbles (or tumbling) against a serious problem. Same fiasco, because it is defeated in July 1921 Anual, on the road by the Rif Ajdir troops of Abd el-Krim. The Spanish army of General Sylvestre had strayed from Melilla without providing enough its back, it loses some 20,000 men. General committed suicide on the battlefield. Thus began a troubled period for Spain, the Spanish feeling humiliated, preferring to call the battle disaster rather than defeat. As for Abd el-Krim, it is wreathed in glory, foreign media interest in him, and his national prestige is at its firmament. In addition, this victory Anual, he withdrew more impressive war chest from the redemption in gold prices, some 1,500 prisoners, and of course all the war material taken from the enemy.

The impact of this defeat is spectacular in Spain. Deep humiliation is felt. In April 1922, the Earl of Seville Romanoes called to an agreement between France and Morocco to better submit the country. But the call is long with no real answer. because two years later, Abd el-Krim managed to force the Spaniards in the spring of 1924, to back their line of defense to advanced Tetuan. Exactly one year later, he even tries to make their way to Fez to dethrone y "Sultan of Roumis" (as called for by some of the Moroccan population the Alawite sultan at the time). Lyautey, probably panicked request military reinforcements in the splus soon as possible. The aggravation, as fast worrisome, situation necessitates a meeting of a Franco-Spanish conference held in Madrid in June-July 1925. A military conference of General Primo de Rivera and Marshal Pétain (The Marshal Lyautey had resigned a few months before the announcement of the call to service Petain) held in Madrid in February 1926, to agree on objectives and means of enforcing a spring offensive. Suspecting these preparations, Abd el-Krim dispatch emissaries to tell his willingness to negotiate peace. Negotiations were indeed place is the conference of Oujda, but opened on 22 April it ends May 7 out of a total failure. Abdelkrim is also from failure to failure, as soon he has to face the defection of important tribe of Beni Ouriagel. Aware of his weakness, anxious to preserve life, the "Berber Vercingetorix" (say Robert Montagne [2]) is, on May 26 submission to Corap Colonel. The Rif case ends in Paris in a kind of apotheosis. General Primo de Rivera and the Sultan Moulay Youssef, came to inaugurate the Mosque of Paris (Place du Puits Hermit), attend, alongside President Doumergue, the magazine of July 14 on the Champs Elysees.

Berber Dahir became the symbol of French interference in Morocco. Decree signed May 16, 1930, it aimed to remove the Berber populations [3] Rural influence of Islamic law, to submit directly to the legislation of the French Republic. The fight he has generated very quickly against him put on the center stage of nationalist activists play a major role in the history of the coming decades. To return to the Berber Dahir, it must be said that even before its publication, a young man from Salé, Abdellatif Sbihi, related to the Pasha of the city (he had made Notarial studies in Salé and had gone to continue his studies in Paris INALCO, before returning to Morocco to work in the Residence translation service) learns early May 1930 the existence of Dahir and talk about him in Sale. Tempers flare, but it was not until May 24 and publication of the Royal Decree in the Official Gazette, in Arabic and French, that the consequences are beginning to be felt. In early June, many mosques (including Fez) swarm a sense of violent vis-à-vis this Dahir repulsion. A month later, the arrival of Shakib Arsalan in Tangier and Tetouan and his meeting with scholars of both cities contribute to the amplification of the protest movement. Movement that will not stop until 1934, at which time a new Dahir will reform, albeit slightly, that of 1930. It must be said that the "Berbers" remained under its jurisdiction until 1956 Dahir, protests n who has therefore not been successful. Moroccan nationalists begin to demand reforms and that the Protectorate Treaty is respected faithfully. So there is still no demand for independence, starting request of the French presence. The fact that the Alawites are of the general residence of the French side is of course for something, Moroccans not daring to put on and against the French occupation and against the reigning dynasty still symbolically in the country.

The influence of the Amir Shakib Arsalan since Génève on Moroccan leaders is an open secret. It is his vision of the ideal of the Arab nation that most influences Balafrej and his companions. On the other hand, the first nationalist League to assert is the CAM (Moroccan Action Committee) in 1933, carrying a "Moroccan Reforms Plan" to the French government and the Sultan in 1934, he influenced not only by Shakib Arsalan but especially by French fellow initiators of the journal Maghreb (Robert Jean Longuet, Daniel Guerin). This club that runs the league by fleshing digitally splits into two parties in 1937: the National Party for the triumph of reforms under Allal El Fassi and the Popular Movement under that of Mohamed el Ouezzani. These two formations that dominate the Moroccan political activism of the time. Allal El Fassi that of being, according to the personality of the latter (who studied at the traditional university Qarawiyyîn Fez), more directed towards Arab nationalism Egyptian trend. While the formation of Mohamed el Ouezzani, according to the personality of the latter (who studied in Paris), being more leaning towards Western modernity to the French. [5] At the same time, in July 1936, the uprising of General Franco, which finds its logistics bases in Morocco and the total support of the army of occupation, poses for the Government Blum and general residence, an embarrassing case of conscience.    

These concerns are in a fatwa at the request of General Nogues Sultan Sidi Mohamed launches his people on September 6, 1936. He expresses sorrow to see infighting tear a friendly country, charged by the treaties of its influence on certain parts of his empire. He regrets that some of his subjects there are embroiled, not to defend the Spanish government against external aggression, but to serve businesses of his political opponents. For it must be said that the position taken by the government Blum seemed lead the Protectorate in a hostile policy Francoist movement. Moreover, in Rabat, the Consul General Onitveros y La Plana and most officers under his command rallied to Francoism and resign brightly. In February 1939, the Berard-Jordana agreements, the recognition of the Franco regime and stating in particular a reciprocal commitment to "make Morocco a frank and loyal cooperation policy," lead automatically, repeal of emergency dahirs and the restoration of normal relations between the two areas (French and Spanish). But six months ago, started the Second World War, with, in effect, the proclamation of the French zone under siege, exchange control of the institution, severe restrictions on the movement of people and property. Very honestly, the Sultan Sidi Mohamed speaks on Government Advisor Chérifien an approach is made to Madrid, to seek assurances that the Spanish zone can not be used "by the enemies of France, which are also ours" . Political and ideological consequences of the Second World War are very strongly felt on the Moroccan scene. The game rules are still the same: Algeciras, French Protectorate of Spanish influence. But their application conditions are profoundly altered due to balance ruptures between the respective strengths of the parties concerned. During the American landing in Morocco, Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef, refuses to leave Rabat to Fez, violating the instructions of the Resident General. On November 9, he asks Nogues to stop fighting in order to spare unnecessary blood, before invincible forces that come into friends. True to its aspirations, the Sultan establishing itself as the representative of a people committed to the cause of the Allies.