The American presence in Morocco during the
Second World War was in part a function of continuing economic interest in
Morocco, in part a result of the wartime political and diplomatic relationship
with France, and in part a function of the military course and direction of the
war. In one way or another these were factors, motives, means, and objectives
of American policy in Morocco.
The American landing, however, had a
considerable impact among the Moroccans, Muslims and Jews; the presence of soldiers
with modern equipment, the numerous shipments of basic products, the flow of
dollars, etc. in other words, the display of American power obviously worked
toward reducing French prestige. The deterioration of the French image and the
increasing American impact can be discerned at various levels.[1]
When the United States declared war against the Axis powers in 1941,
France was not very enthusiastic, especially the French residency in morocco,
to transform economic agreements with a neutral power into political or
military commitment. Whenever a possible landing was mentioned, it was
discouraged by the French. Charles Noguès, Resident General of French Morocco, told
Robert Murphy that the native population “could not be trusted” and
would use any landing as opportunity to attack the French and the expeditionary
forces as well, only chaos and ruin would be the result. He added: “if
Morocco becomes a battlefield, it will be lost to France”[2]
Newspapers, such as La Voix Nationale warmly
greeted the Americans, stating that they had been hoping for the arrival of
people who devoted themselves to liberate France and the world. Most important
their insistence on the fact that the Moroccans were determined to fight beside
the Allied forces without neglecting their own objective which was the recovery
of Morocco’s independence.[3]
The
same admiration for the American economic and military superiority could be
perceived in some Judeo-Arabic folk songs, which also expressed the confidence
in the Allies’ victory over the Germans and the Italians. Another famous
Moroccan singer, Houcine Slaoui, also focused on other significant aspects such
as the social and psychological impact of the American presence in Morocco.[4]
The Anfa conference and Sultan’s direct talks
with President Franklin Roosevelt also played a major role in the
radicalization of the nationalist movement. Roosevelt promises for help and
cooperation, the nationalist’s pro-American sympathies, the creation of a “Roosevelt
Club” by some eminent personalities from Rabat and Salé, could only worry the
French and incite them to take action against American interference in Moroccan
affairs.[5]
Based
on the above mentioned events, the American landing made a deep social and
psychological impact on different aspects of the Moroccan population, Muslims
and Jews, due to the military power and economic and cultural differences
between the two countries, and political influence -whether direct or indirect-
on the reformist phase of the nationalist movement and its period of
radicalization.
[1] Mohammad
Kenbib “The American Impact on Moroccan Nationalism (1930-1945)” in Bookin-Weiner, Jerome B. and El Manor,
Mohammed (eds) The Atlantic Connection: 200 Years of Moroccan-American
Relations 1786–1986. Edino Press, 1990, p. 179.
[3] Mohammed Kenbib, op. cit., p. 179.
[4] Ibid., p. 179.
[5] Mohammed Kenbib, op. cit., p. 180.
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