Powers in the presence

Powers in the presence

Map of Barbary in 1843 (northern part of the Maghreb) according to the geographer Alexandre Vuillemin
During the nineteenth century, European colonial powers trying to establish their influence in North Africa. During the conquest of Algeria, France, Morocco obtains a promise of neutrality (1832). But in 1839, the Sultan Abd al-Rahman supports the efforts of the Algerian emir Abd el-Kader, the Algerian conflict lies in the Moroccan provinces. The Moroccan army is defeated by the French troops of Marshal Bugeaud at Isly August 17, 1844. The Treaty of Tangier, September 10, 1844, outlaws Abd el-Kader and defines the border between the two countries.
The UK is seeking to increase its economic power and signs in 1856, a commercial treaty very advantage. Spain pushes his desire to recapture. Responding to the success of colonization carried out by France, it takes possession of the islands Jaafarines, Mediterranean island in May 1848. It starts and wins the war Tetouan 1859-186066. This defeat in Morocco imposes heavy casualties and a large war indemnity, aggravating an already bad economic situation-in-point.
France, meanwhile, eager to be in North Africa sign a homogeneous territory in 1863, a French-Moroccan. Benefits granted to France and the UK are extended to all European countries at the Madrid Conference (1880).
Sultan Moulay Hassan to lead the country during this period (1873 - 1894) attempts to modernize and plays on the European rivalries to maintain its independence. But at his death, and even the death of the Regent Grand Vizier Ahmed ben Moussa said "Ba Ahmad" in 1900, the colonial maneuvers started again on Morocco. France in particular and includes land occupied Eastern Moroccan its departments of Algeria between 1902 and 1904. Since it occupies and colonizes Algeria, France is concerned about the security of the borders between Algeria and Morocco and eyeing the Sultanate neighbor, one of the last independent African countries. Its merchants and contractors will be very active, especially in Casablanca, a port of recent creation.
Thus Lalla Maghnia and the central Sahara touching the border of Mali, Tuat, Tidikelt, Saoura, Bechar Jorf Torba, Abbadia Métarfa, Hassi Regel, N'khaila El Hamira, Kenadsa Timimoun and pass under French control.
The policy of Abd al-Aziz led the country to economic and financial crisis.

Alawite dynasty (1664-present)

Alawite dynasty (1664-present)


Sharifian Empire Alawite 1700


Greater Morocco and the trans-Saharan trade
One of the most famous is the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail, the second ruler of the dynasty, who columnists and eyewitnesses agree to give 26 years at its inception (1672). He is the half-brother Moulay M'hammed and Moulay Rachid, born a black slave that he will keep a matte pronounced. His reign between 1672 and 1727. Moulay Ismail succeeded his half-brother Rachid, died accidentally in Marrakech. Sultan impose its authority over the entire Sherifian Empire, with its army of militia soldiers black slaves from Senegal, Mali and Guinea (the Abid al-Bukhari, real Janissaries dedicated to the African person exclusive of the Sultan and comparable to the Janissaries of the Ottoman Empire and Safavid Persia gholams of) and Arab tribes guich (Oudayas Cherrardas, Cheragas). Guich in the system, tribes benefit from tax exemptions and sales of agricultural land in exchange for their service, but this leads to the formation of an all-powerful military caste in which the Makhzen also recruits a large part of its staff. The Ismaili State is a formidable administrative control of the country from Meknes, new imperial capital in lieu of Fez and Marrakech. Under the reign of Ismail Meknes gets a Forbidden City to the Moroccan way (including the organization and function have similarities with the Forbidden City in Beijing), together with its palaces, ponds, mosques, gardens and fortresses. This gigantic structure is designed to house the king, his court, his harem, his personal guard and all the officials of his administration.


Bab el Mansour Aleuj in the imperial city of Meknes, completed in 1732.


Moulay Ismail, Sultan of Morocco from 1672 to 1727.
Ismail is often compared to its European alter ego Louis XIV, the Moroccan Sultan also maintained a correspondence with the king of France, in which he asks his daughter, Marie Anne de Bourbon (1666-1739), Princess of Conti said as Mademoiselle de Blois. Demand will not result from the Sun King. The Moroccan ambassador to France in 1699, the Admiral "seas Moroccan" Abdallah Ben Aicha, is the author of the first test in Arabic describing the splendors of Versailles and the French royal court. He followed a few years (1693) Pidou François Baron de Saint-Olon, Ambassador of France in Meknes, author of a "relationship" of the "kingdom of Fez and Morocco." Relations between the two countries have a declining phase due to the failure of the redemption of Christian captives by religious missions, and also because the plight of Muslims convicts detained in France. The Franco-Moroccan was motivated by the opposition of the two countries to the Spain of Charles II, but the throne of Spain Philip V (Philip of France, Count of Anjou), grand-son of Louis XIV , terminate this agreement. Therefore formal diplomatic ties are severed between Meknes one hand and Paris and Madrid on the other hand in 1718. They will be restored in 1767. Ismail indeed considers Spanish-French monarchy of the Bourbons as now entirely hostile to the interests of Morocco. France is therefore superseded in England by Empire Sharifian, as illustrated by the brilliant British Embassy Commodore Stewart and John Windus 172,156 in Meknes.


Abdelkader Perez, Admiral of the Imperial Fleet Sharifian under Moulay Ismail (early eighteenth century)
Ismail leads a continuous war against the rebellious tribes of the Atlas (he eventually submitted) but also against external enemies: Spanish, English (at least prior to removal from Tangier in 1684) and the Ottoman Regency neighboring Algiers shortly covet the region of Oujda. Sultan extends the authority of Sharifian Mauritania to Senegal River with the help of Moorish emirs of Adrar, Trarza and Brakna, reaffirming the sovereignty of the country Makhzen Chinguetti. To the east, the oasis of Tuat are submitted. In 1700, Ismail also delivers military campaigns against some of his own son eager to carve out principalities in the Souss, Marrakech and the Oriental.


Temim Mohammad, Ambassador of Morocco, the Italian Comedy (1682), Antoine Coypel (1661-1722), Versailles.
From 1727 to 1757 Morocco has a serious dynastic crisis in which Abid al-Bukhari made and unmade sultans, while the tribes guich rise and razzient imperial cities. Other tribes benefit from anarchy to enter dissent (Siba). This troubled period emerges the figure of Moulay Abdallah II of Morocco, overthrown and restored several times between 1729 and 1745. He must suffer the secession of his half-brothers who founded kingdoms true in every province, with the support of such a faction or guich Abids. Similarly, the inhabitants of Rabat Salé and reconnect with autonomism privateer, and northern Moroccan pashas family Rifi establish a dynasty that controls Tangier and Tetouan. Powerful confederations, such as Aït Idrassen and Guerrouanes, come into dissent and seize the caravan trade connecting the commercial centers of the Empire to chérifien Saharan oases and Bilad as-Sudan which detaches from the Moroccan authorities.


George Washington letter addressed to Mohammed III at the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Moroccan-American signed in Marrakesh in 1787.
Order is restored by Mohammed III of Morocco (1757-1790) which restores the unity and authority of the sultanate Makhzen official. Policy Mohammed III is characterized by the opening diplomatic and commercial Morocco who want to recover customs duties to alleviate the tax burden on fellahs57. Treaties were concluded with the major European powers, who maintain consulates and trading houses in the new Moroccan Atlantic ports founded by Mohammed III. The best known example of these new commercial centers is the city of Mogador (Essaouira), designed by the French engineer Theodore Cornut working on behalf of the Sultan. Ports Anfa (Casablanca) and Fedala (Mohammedia) are also developed and symbolize the economic development of Atlantic coastline, free from foreign occupation after the reconquest of the Portuguese Mazagan and the definitive end of Portuguese Morocco in 1769. Mohammed III is also the first head of state to recognize the independence of the young American republic of the United States in 1777. The Cherifian sovereign establishes a correspondence friendship with George Washington58, which is the United States, under the "open door policy" to conclude a treaty with Morocco of peace, friendship and commerce July 16 1786 (for a period of fifty years, renewed by the Treaty of Meknes 1836) 59. On the domestic front, the reign was marked by riots provoked by the body Abids (in Meknes in 1778), and a severe drought in six years (1776-1782) that generates economic and demographic consequences disastrous. This negative situation will become more pronounced during the reign of Al-Yazid of Morocco (1790-1792) famous for his cruelty and his unfinished war against Spain. His death leads back disorders dynastic war and tribal anarchy. The Empire was divided into two rival makhzens, one in Fez (with Moulay Sulayman Morocco), the other in Marrakech (Morocco Moulay Hisham's). Sulayman is who wins and reunites the Sultanate in 1797.
Moulay Sulayman (1792-1822) pursued a policy of isolationism. Sultan closes the country to foreign trade, especially in Europe, and removes customs posts created by his father. Internally its inspiration dahirs openly Salafi cause tribal revolts and urban related to its decision to ban moussems and maraboutism. The Berbers of the Middle Atlas, including Ait Oumalou, gather under the leadership of warlord and Boubker Amhaouch form a large tribal coalition which even join Rif. During the 1810s, the army Makhzen towels and heavy defeats toppling of Fez and the decline of the sultan on coastal cities remained under his authority. Insurgent tribes and Fez go to try to impose own son Sulayman, Moulay Said, at the head of the state, but ultimately fail.
On the outside, the Sultan succeeded in attempts to remove diplomatic and military influences exerted by the Emperor Napoleon, a near neighbor of Morocco since the occupation of Spain by French troops in 1808 (War of Independence ). Moulay Sulayman turns however to Saud bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Nejd and the first Saudi state, showing a strong interest in the Wahhabi Salafism full progression60. This strategic alliance is due to the anti-Ottoman affinities that characterize the Alawite ruler Emir as Saudi Arabia, as well as the religious sensitivities of Sulayman. Taking advantage of its military campaign against the Regency of Algiers, the sultan finally able to expel the Turkish troops of the Bey of Mascara occupying the eastern provinces of Oujda and Berkane since 1792, and to restore the authority of the Tuat and Sharifian other oases of the central Sahara.


the Sultan of Morocco Moulay Abd ar-Rahman to his palace in Meknes by Eugène Delacroix (1845)


Bombing and attacks against French Mogador (Essaouira) under the orders of François d'Orleans Prince de Joinville and the son of Louis-Philippe I, during the Franco-Moroccan War of 1844
However, the Sultan finally abdicated in 1822 in favor of his nephew Abd ar-Rahman ibn Hisham, after the heavy defeat inflicted by the army Makhzen zaouia Cherradia near Marrakech. Moulay Abd ar-Rahman (1822-1859) tries to escape the Empire Shereefian isolation outside, but his intentions are thwarted by the first assault of modern European colonialism. The reign of this Sultan is indeed the conquest of Algeria by France, in which Morocco is involved in providing support to the Emir Abd el-Kader, but finds himself defeated at the Battle of Isly (campaign French military of Morocco 1844), and the Spanish-Moroccan War (which the Spaniards call African War) which ended with the Spanish occupation of Tetuan in 1860. Following this catastrophic conflict for the Makhzen, who should pay Spain a war indemnity of two hundred million douros61 (borrowed from British banks), Mohammed IV of Morocco (1859-1873) successor Moulay Abd al Rahman began a policy of modernization Shereefian Empire. The army is the first field of the structural reforms. The tribal system guich is abolished and replaced by a recruitment to all tribes "nouaïbs" (subject to the regular tax), which should provide Tabors (units) regular askars (soldiers). The command of these troops was entrusted to European military advisers, like the Scots Harry Aubrey de Maclean (who gets the title of boss for the organization of an elite regiment formed on the British model) and weapons are purchased from foreign companies such as the German firm Krupp62.


Hassan I of Morocco, Sultan 1873-1894
Along with the modernization of the army, industries are created (munitions factories, sugar, paper), technological advances are recorded as the installation of the first modern printing press Arabic in Fez Morocco in 1865. But this policy entails considerable expenses that require substantial funding. The Makhzen is therefore forced to raise additional taxes not comply with Islamic law, unpopular and frowned quickly by the ulema. Tensions related to the decision to break out after the death of Mohammed IV and the accession of his successor Hassan I in 1873. They are in the form of urban riots social violently repressed, whose revolt Tanners of Fes is an example illustratif63. The reign of Hassan I corresponds to the will of the sultan to reconcile the demands of the modernization of the state social and political complexities of Morocco. This rule also fits in the context of European imperialist rivalries become even more pressing in the wake of the Madrid Conference of 1880, which foreshadows the future sharing Sharifian Empire on the international scene. Like Turkey, Iran or China at that time, Morocco became a "sick man" as the expression goes in circles colonialists. Through economic concessions and the system of bank loans, each of interested European powers, including France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, hoping to pave the way to a complete conquest of the country. The skill is knowing Makhzen hold off the combined greed of European imperialism and play rivalry between the powers. But the death of Hassan I, occurred during an expedition in the Tadla in 1894, leaving power in the very young Abd al-Aziz Morocco (then aged only 14 years), son of a circus favorite of the imperial harem , some Lalla Reqiya64.


The death of Hassan I of Morocco in 1894, of the Journal illustrated.


Abd al-Aziz Morocco (Moulay Abd al-Aziz), Sultan 1894-1908
A real regency is then held until 1900 by the Grand Vizier Ahmed ben Moussa, from the old guild Abid al-Bukhari Palace. The Grand Vizier continue knows intelligently pragmatic policy of Hassan I, but its disappearance aggravates anarchy and foreign pressure, as well as rivalry between Moulay Abd al-Aziz and his brother Moulay Abd al-Hafid, which finally burst in race war power. After the victory of Abd al-Hafid, young intellectuals and progressive reformers influenced by the revolution of the Young Turks in Istanbul and whose ideas are expressed by the newspaper Tangier "Lisan Al-Maghrib" try to submit a draft constitution Sharifian 11 October 190865. However, the deep institutional crisis of the Sultanate and European pressure increased prevent the completion of such a project. The weakness of the Makhzen also allows an adventurer named Ben Driss Jilali best known as the Rogui Bou Hmara to impersonate a son of Hassan I, and to be recognized as Sultan Taza and throughout the north-east of Morocco for a few years before finally being captured in 1909. Another rebel leader al-Raisuni establishes its stronghold in the country and Jebala Asilah where he rejects the official authority and causes its abductions of U.S. citizens personal intervention of the President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt, the point of sending the U.S. Navy in Tangier in retaliation.



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The arrival of the Andalusians and Moriscos

The arrival of the Andalusians and Moriscos
Al-Andalus, Boabdil, Moriscos, Arab-Andalusian music and Reconquista.


expulsion of the Moors from Spain in 1609 following the Edict of Philip III
The early success of the Reconquista Andalusian Muslims started to retreat to Morocco, and from the twelfth century, decided to leave some Andalusian Moorish Spain but the majority of them were forced to leave Spain mainly in two stages: in the fall of Granada in 1492, and in 1609 with the expulsion of the Moors followed the decline to the Maghreb.
It is necessary to remember that before 1492, the geographical proximity of Morocco with Spain Andalusian naturally induces constant exchanges between these two and other countries.
The proximity of Morocco and the desire to return to Spain will lead to the presence of a high concentration of Andalusians on the northern shores of Morocco. The Spanish Catholic monarchs saw a danger in this concentration, located just 14 km from their bank, attacked the northern shores of Morocco and the Maghreb and took the cities of Melilla and Penon de Velez to prevent any attempt to return.
The influx of these Andalusians, that Morocco will integrate into the social and economic fabric, will mark a turning point in the culture, philosophy, the arts and politics. Note that many intellectuals and artists Andalusian join the royal courts, the movement will be initiated by the famous Averroes Cordoba (died in Marrakech) and the last poet of classical Arabic Muslim Spain, Ibn al-Khatib of Granada, which ended his life in Fez.


Representation of Sale at the time of Jan Janszoon, better known as the pirate admiral Murad Rais.
The Moriscos settled in Rabat (called New Salé) and Salt (Salt Ancient) form a State privateer in 1627, the Republic of Bouregreg also called Republic of the Two Rivers. This political entity, comparable in some ways to the Barbary regencies of central and eastern Maghreb under Ottoman rule, still racing successful business leaders who bring their bosses to negotiate with the major European powers. Recklessness captains Saletins is indeed known, and some of them conduct daring raids to Iceland or to North America (especially to Newfoundland). After a period of independence in the early seventeenth century, the Alaouite sultan Moulay Rachid ends the existence of the republic salétine and the annex to the Sharifian Empire.
Similarly, the city of Tetouan, populated mainly "Andalusians" since its reconstruction in the late fifteenth century, form a de facto independent principality, ruled by the family Naqsis. The principality welcomes more than 40,000 Moors following their explulsion54. Social structure comparable to Rabat, the race there is a major activity through its port Martil, downriver to the eponymous connects.
In Morocco, the race war declines in the late eighteenth century, with final judgment in 1829, following the attacks of retaliation against the Austrian fleet Asilah (which followed the capture of a vessel this nation by pirates marocains55). The majority of captains Saletins is Moorish origin but are also present in many European renegades (the most famous being the Dutchman Jan Janszoon became admiral Mourad Rais), Moroccan natives and Turkish sailors or turquisés from Algiers and the Regency of Tripoli.


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saadien -Dynastie saadienne (1554-1659

Map of the Empire saadien
The Saadian Zaydanides45 sometimes called, is a native Arab dynasty Sharifian the Draa Valley. She came to power in 1511 with Sultan Muhammad al-Mahdi al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah chose Marrakech for final capital after Taroudant. From 1554 she has full control over Morocco, while the central and eastern Maghreb is under the dominion of the Ottomans. Muhammad al-Sheikh is a staunch opponent of the Ottoman sultan-caliph Suleiman the Magnificent. To ward off the threat posed by the Turkish governors of Algiers, the Saadian sultan did not hesitate to seek the alliance of Spaniards who occupied Oran and allow him to seize Tlemcen. Despite a devastating raid against Fez Ottoman troops really do not penetrate inside the Moroccan territory, and Saadian can extend their occupation of north-western Algeria. Diplomacy Muhammad al-Shaikh earned him the enmity of the Sublime Porte tenacious. Indeed, in 1557 the assassins in the pay of Hasan pasha of Algiers Corso behead the Moroccan Sultan and sent his head as a trophy in Istanbul, where can contemplate Soliman and his implacable enemy Ouest46. The murder, however, did not affect the military front and even strengthens the foundation of the Saadian dynasty.
Designated by the mystical brotherhoods including the Chadilya and Jazoulya, Saadiens have the difficult task of reuniting Morocco and fight the young King Sebastian I of Portugal willing to carry his personal crusade in Africa. In 1578 Ksar el Kebir (Battle of the Three Kings), a large Portuguese army composed largely of mercenaries from almost all Christendom Western Catholic (Portuguese knights, militia Spanish provinces lansquenets German and Flemish and Italian troops halberdiers Papal) is completely destroyed by the military forces of the Empire of Morocco Saadian which offer a victory considérable47 impact. After this battle, the dynasty focuses on the north-east of Morocco to protect the country from Ottoman ambitions.
Despite their political opposition to the Sublime Porte, the Saadian Makhzen organize their army and the Ottoman model. The Board shall adopt the titles of pashas and beys, and sultans to equip an elite guard composed of peiks and solaks, taking the discipline and costume characteristic of Turkish janissaries. A representative of the Sultan with the title "khalifa" 48exerce power viceroy from Fez on the northern and eastern. Many pashas and bosses are renegades and Andalusians responsible for collecting taxes, raising troops and monitor the tribes to prevent revolt against the Makhzen saadien.


The inner courtyard of the Ben Youssef Medersa period saadienne
The influence turque49 be explained by the exiled princes Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik and Ahmed (Ahmed future Saadi al-Mansur) in Algiers and Istanbul during the reign of their half-brother Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib, who had wanted to eliminate in order to be the sole representative of the dynasty. Support of the Ottoman Sultan Murad III to the claims of both Saadian princes may seem paradoxical because of the adversarial nature of Turkish-Moroccan relations, but Abd al-Malik and his brother know how to use this support to intelligently reclaim the throne and eliminate their nephew Mohammed el-Mottouakil (son of al-Ghalib) which in turn was allied with Portugal. Murad III's death in 1595 put an end also to hegemonic appetites of the Sublime Porte and strengthens the independence marocaine50.


Abd el-Wahed ben Messaoud, ambassador of Sultan al-Mansur in England, circa 1600


Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur Saadi, whose reign marked the apogee of the Saadian dynasty.
If the Turks are mostly found in the General Staff and artillery, most of the Saadian army is composed of European renegades and tribes Cheragas Arab military contingents as well as the Souss (Souss the Ehl-el, constitutes the backbone of the military dynasty). This considerable force, estimated at 40,000 men by the historian Henri Terrasse, is the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur's most powerful political and military leader of this part of Africa. He proves it by launching one of its most brilliant officers, General Yuder Pasha to conquer Songhai Empire of Mali becomes Tondibi after the battle of the Moroccan pashalik of Timbuktu and Bilad as-Sudan (Sudan western Niger as opposed to Eastern Nilotic Sudan), including the prestigious cities of Gao and Djenné. On the religious level, the rule of the Caliphate is recognized until saadien Chad Idriss Alaoma III, ruler of the kingdom of Kanem-Bornou51. This spiritual allegiance marks an undeniable victory for the Sultan al-Mansur on the African scene to the detriment of the Ottoman Empire who also intends to use its status as a caliphate.
The Songhai Empire and destroyed his sovereign Askia Ishaq II overthrown, the gold of the Niger River valley on its way to Marrakech Moroccan oasis then the circuit caravans under heavy armed escort. With this Malian gold, Sultan al-Mansur embarked on a policy of prestige, completes his huge and luxurious El Badi Palace seat of a very luxurious court life, and we see even the Queen of France Catherine de Medici attempt to use a loan of 20,000 ducats to the wealthy saadien52 caliph.
In turn Queen Elizabeth I of England wants to establish a strategic alliance with the Spanish anti-powerful caliphate saadien to counter the ambitions of Philip II. This policy is embodied by the Anglo-Moroccan joint attack against Cadiz (1596) and the exchange of ambassadors between the courts of London and Marrakech in 1600. But this brilliant page ends with the death of Ahmed in Fez in 1603. In 1612, the pashas of Timbuktu behave in independent princes of Mali and gold continues to reach Marrakech. The dynasty died in 1659 in the death of Sultan Ahmed el-Abbas, who ended a long war between the various dynastic heirs of the family saadienne53.

On the eve of the disappearance of the Saadian dynasty, Morocco breaks up into several local authorities, some of whom aspire to transcend their regional context and to impose nationwide. Among these powers, the most notable are the zaouia Dila, based in the Middle Atlas, whose strength lies in the Berber tribes of the mountains, including Sanhadjas and the zaouia of Illigh who founded the kingdom of Tazeroualt in Souss and control of important caravan routes from the Sahara. In addition to these theocratic states Sufis, the warlord El Ayyachi champion of jihad in the Atlantic provinces, is size an important fief in the Gharb. Coastal cities predominantly Andalusian erect also independent political entities, such as the Republic of Salé and the Principality of Naqsides in Tetouan. Finally, in Marrakech and the Haouz emerges lordship former bosses Saadian palace. But all these players involved, it is the Alawites, emirs who Tafilalet necessary through a gradual and methodical conquest of Morocco, leveraging internal weaknesses and divisions of their opponents. The Alawite dynasty comes to power and on throughout the middle of the seventeenth century.



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Wattassides. (1471-1554)

Wattassides.


Morocco in the early sixteenth century: in red, the field of Wattasides
Wattassides or Wattasids or Banu Watâs are a tribe of Berbers as Zenata Mérinides. This tribe, which would initially originated in present-day Libya, was established in the Rif, bordering the Mediterranean. Their fortress Tazouta between Melilla and Moulouya, Beni Wattas gradually extended their power at the expense of the ruling family Merinid (see detailed article on Wattassides). These two families are related, Mérinides recruited many viziers in Wattassides. The viziers Wattassides necessary gradually to power. The last sultan was dethroned in 1465 Merinid. It follows a period of confusion which lasted until 1472. Morocco is divided into two with the south, an Arab dynasty emerging Saadiens and north a sultanate wattasside decline.
In 1472, the Sultan of Fez Wattassides lost all their strategic territories and have no control of the Strait of Gibraltar. The Portuguese took possession of Tangier in 1471 41puis cede the city to England in 1661 as dowry for Catherine of Braganza brought her husband Charles II of England. English domination of Tangier, relatively short (1661-1684), will be challenged constantly by the British Parliament despite the granting of a charter to the colony by Charles II, and because of the financial hardship that the maintenance of the garrison permanently subjected to the pressure of Moroccan attacks. The evacuation of Tangier is finally decided and assigned to Admiral Lord Dartmouth 42, Moulay Ismail troops take possession of the city after 193 years of foreign domination triple (Portuguese, Spanish, English).


Former Portuguese colony of Mazagan in El Jadida, Morocco recovered in 1769 by the
During the Portuguese rule (1471-1661, with a Spanish interlude between 1580 and 1640), Tangier is the capital of the Algarve in Africa, because there exist two Algarves, one in Europe and one in Africa, both considered personally territories under the house of Aviz and of the House of Braganza (King of Portugal also bears the title of King of the Algarves). Under the successive reigns of Alfonso V, John II and Manuel I (period marking the climax of Portuguese expansion) Algarve encompasses virtually all African Moroccan Atlantic coast, with the exception of Rabat and Salé. The Portuguese controlled the coastal portion extending from Agadir to Ceuta and Boujdour, with points milestone strongholds of Tangier, Asilah, Larache, Azemmour, Mazagan, Safi and Castelo Real de Mogador. On Azemmour originated Estevanico (real name Mustapha Zemmouri), a Moroccan enslaved by the Portuguese and then resold to the Spaniards, and which will be illustrated by its exploration and appreciation of America to the borders of Mexico and of Arizona in the ranks of Hispanic conquistadors.
Possessions of the Crown Lusitane fronteiras are equivalent Portuguese Spanish presidios, and are used as stops on the sea route from Brazil and Portuguese India. However most of Morocco conquered by the Portuguese in 1541 Saadiens. The last fronteira is the Mazagan, recovered by the Moroccans in 1769. Spaniards for their part, attribute the Mediterranean coast with the presidios of Melilla and rock Vélez de la Gomera, as well as the region of Tarfaya facing the Canary Islands. They also take control of Ceuta after the debacle Portuguese in the Battle of the Three Kings which results in the establishment of the Iberian Union (1580) 43.
Wattassides weakened finally give power to a dynasty claiming an Arab origin Sharifian (Saadiens) in 1554



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Marinids : Mérinides.

Marinids : Mérinides.


Map of the Empire and its extensions Merinid
Unlike the two previous dynasties, the rise of Mérinides is not put on the account of a personal associable to an individual but to the collective affirmation of a tribe. Another break that mark the accession to power of Mérinides leitmotiv is the abandonment of the religious purification in favor of a conception of the conquest of power more classical in accordance with the tribal identity of the protagonists.


Medersa Merinid Salé, built by Sultan Abu al-Hasan ibn Uthman in 1341
The tribe is a tribe zénète whose origins are from of Wassin 35. Still, the Beni Merin (or Bani Marin) are throughout the twelfth century the archetype of a typical Berber tribe, nomad between the basin of the Upper Moulouya west (between Guercif and Missouri) and Tell the Algerian south of Sidi Bel Abbes east. The first occurrence of the tribe of Beni Merin in Moroccan historiography coincides with their participation as a group in the Battle of Alarcos (1196), battle eventually won by the Almohad camp. It was at this occasion that illustrates Abd al-Haqq considered the real founder of the Marinids. Back home, the tribe falls in relative anonymity until the crushing defeat Almohad of Las Navas de Tolosa after which troops will undo Mérinides 10,000 soldiers Almohads. Following this success, Mérinides temporarily settled in the Rif, supported by Miknassas settled north of Taza.
From 1216, they were paid tribute by the cities of Fez and Taza. The Almohads anxious to restore their authority over their entire territory-launch offensives against many, mostly futile. It was during one of these maneuvers dies Abd al-Haqq. His son Uthman ibn Abd al-Haqq succeeded him. From 1227, all the tribes between the Bouregreg and Moulouya have pledged allegiance to Mérinides. In 1240, Uthman ibn Abd al-Haqq dies, murdered by his Christian slave. It was his brother Muhammad ibn Abd al-Haqq who succeeded him, besieging with relative success Meknes. He died in 1244, killed by Christian militia in the service of the Almohads. In the middle of the decade 1240, the Almohad troops are set to rout Guercif. Mérinides then pass the very strategic Taza Gap, springboard which allowed them to undertake the siege of Fez in August 1248 and to consider taking the entire northern half of Morocco. But the southern half is not far behind. Abu Yahya ibn Abd al-Haqq having previously succeeded plays traditional friendships with Beni Beni Merin Ouarain Middle Atlas and other tribes for control Tafilalet oasis and divert revenues from trans-Saharan trade Marrakech to Fez, designated as Merinid capital.
In 1258, Abu Yusuf Yaqub bin Abd Al-Haqq succeeded his brother buried in the ancient Necropolis of Chella he started réhabiliter36. The beginning of his reign was marked by a struggle with his nephew who claimed the succession. It manages to take Salé. The location at the mouth of Bouregreg benefits Castile who will the city hostage for two weeks. The western Rif is also prey to many uprisings Ghomaras while Ceuta and Tangier are then in the hands of an independent sultan, a man named El Asefi. Quickly the new sovereign expressed his desire to do battle with the Almohads quickly entrenched in the Haouz is Doukkala and part of Souss. A first attempt in this direction ended in failure in 1262. Then press the Almohads Abdalwadides attack their rivals Mérinides by surprise. Yghomracen famous ruler abdalwadide was defeated in 1268. The following year, Marrakech is definitely prise37.


Medersa Bou Inania Fez
During the years that followed, he boute the Castilians out of all their establishments Atlantic to Tangier. In 1276, Fez, the new capital of the kingdom sees increased by a new district administrative and military away from the old city, which combines including the new Royal Palace and the Mellah. This is Fes El Jadid. Overall, the city will know in the era Merinid a second golden age after that known as Idrissides. After total pacification of the territory and taking the Sijilmassa Abdalwadides, Sultan crossed the strait and tries to reconstruct large Muslim Andalusia Almohads. Spanish companies Merinids are complex but that deliver little results. Following the siege of sherry, a peace treaty stipulating the return of many documents and works of art Andalucian (fallen into the hands of the Christians when taking Seville and Cordoba) to Fez. In 1286, Abu Yusuf Yaqub bin Abd Al-Haqq dies in Algeciras. He was buried in Chella.


Minaret ruins of Mansura in Tlemcen in Algeria, mosque built under Sultan Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr.
His son Abu Yaqub Yusuf36 later told An-Nasr, succeeded him and is confronted at his induction hardening of revolts in the Draa and Marrakech and a disavowal of certain members of his family, sometimes combining with Abdalwadides or rebellious. He went to Cadiz Nasrid Granada as a goodwill but six years later, in 1291, they allied with the Castilians they are vassals undertake Mérinides definitely kick the Iberian Peninsula. After four months of siege, Tarifa is taken by the Castilians. But the eyes of Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr are rather fixed on Tlemcen, capital of Beni Merin eternal rivals that are Abdalwadides. He goes to Tlemcen head of an army composed of mercenaries cosmopolitan puisqu'essentiellement Christians (mainly Castilians and Aragonese), Oghuz Turkmen and Kurds. The siege lasted eight years and will continue until the assassination of the sovereign hands of one of his harem eunuchs, in 1307.
Until the advent of Abu al-Hasan ibn Uthman in 1331, the dynasty is marked by a form of decadence whose main symptoms are multiplication:
- Disputes over succession;
- Popular uprisings (difficulties in the Rif, Ceuta and Tangier surajoutèrent climate growing insurgency in Marrakech and in the Souss);
- Military revolts (uprisings) ...
So in 1331, Abu al-Hasan ibn Uthman (nicknamed the "Sultan black") succeeded his father, a few months after receiving his forgiveness. Quickly, the obsession of his elders to Tlemcen catches him. He started a new seat on the city will prove vain. It displaces those in his immediate family but the jealous knows how to show great dexterity in managing tribal ambitions. Tlemcen finally falls in 1337. Abu al-Hasan ibn Uthman is crowned with glory. This victory opened the way Maghreb median but before disappearing into the breach opened in the direction of Ifriqiya, the sovereign wishes to avenge the death of his son Abu Malik, surprised by the Castilians after his success in Gibraltar in 1333. The battle of Tarifa, October 30, 1340 ended in a defeat that marked the end of definitive ambitions Moroccan Spanish soil. Seven years later, the sultan and his army manage to submit Ifriqiya. The following year, however, the Merinids wipe a crushing defeat in Kairouan. The echo of the disappointment is great, to the point that arises and spreads a crazy rumor that Abu Hassan died in the battle. In Tlemcen, Abu Inan Faris is then inducted. It is his desire qu'émanera building Inania Medersa Bou Fez.
He also also completed the construction of the Medersa Bou Inania Meknes, begun by his predecessor. This vain attempt a return via Algiers and Sijilmassa. He was finally defeated and killed by the armies of his son on the shores of Umm Errabiaa. Abu Inan Faris, deeply grieved by the death, then attempt to assert its authority over the whole kingdom, weakened by the new upsurge of wills insurgency. It surrounds the purposes of Ibn Khaldun, a thinker of genius and a true pioneer of modern sociology. His nephew, master of Fez is executed, but during this trip to Morocco is Tlemcen rises. An intense campaign allows a renewed vigor Merinids but Abu Inan is strangled at the hands of one of his viziers, some al-Foudoudi, December 3, 1358, just nine years after his accession to power.


Gold coin of Sultan Abu Inan Faris (1348-1358)
Lawlessness is at its peak. This is the first major decline of the dynasty. Each Vizier tries to carry the pretender to the throne and the lower handle. Wealth patiently accumulated by previous sovereigns are looted. Claiming a first come Castile manages to escape for a time to the diktat of viziers. His name is Muhammad bin Abu Ziyan Ya `qub simply called Muhammad ibn Yaqub. Recognized and acclaimed in the north of Morocco, kingdom from 1362 of a kingdom which only the northern half (of the Tadla the southern foothills of the Rif) remained loyal to the authority Merinid. Throughout his brief reign, he will try to squeeze one by one the viziers considered bulky but it is the hands of one of these, the Grand Vizier Omar, he will die in 1366.
Omar désincarcère then the son of Abu Hasan Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz Ali bin or simply Abd al Aziz. After successfully completing the feat of ousting many viziers including one that brought him to power, he managed to subdue the parallel power up in Marrakech (to say the Abu Fadel, defeated in 1368). He manages to assert its authority in Hintata country and in the Souss and Sijilmassa. In 1370, Tlemcen, where the power was restored abdalwadide, falls into the hands of Mérinides. But only two years later, he died. The kingdom is again divided into two, zaouias taking power in Marrakech. The plague is devastating.
Ensuing 21 years of decline during which multiply dynastic intrigue, coups different policies viziers interference Nasrid and vain attempts to bang against military Tlemcen. During the two periods of decline, the practice of race develops, both in the north, around Tangiers and Ceuta, on the Atlantic coast.
In 1399, while Morocco is experiencing a more total anarchy, King Henry III of Castile weapon for a naval expedition to destroy the practice of the race from Tetouan. In fact, the city is not only sacked but also completely emptied of its population (half are deported Castile). In 1415, it was the turn of Ceuta fell to the ships of John I, King of Portugal, also on a crusade against the run.


Ibn Battuta, a great traveler Tangier era Merinid who visited three continents
The Marinids knows a tragic déclin38. Abu Said Uthman bin Ahmad Abu Said said succeeds Abu Amir Abd Allah in unclear circumstances. In 1421 Abu Muhammad Abd al-Haqq succeeds Abu Said when he was one year, the accession to the throne called of course a regency. The viziers Wattassides will prove essential and will account for power for nearly 40 years, after which they will be killed in 1459 by Abd al-Haqq who regains power by the occasion. A popular revolt broke out in 1465 in Fez, however, and 'Abd a-Haqq is slaughtered, this episode marks the end of the reign of Mérinides.
Merinid anarchy and restore Idrisid (1465-1471) [edit]
Related article: Period wattasside anarchy.
In 1465, following the fall of the Merinid after the revolt of Fez, Sharif Muhammad ibn Ali proclaimed himself sultan is a descendant of Idrissides, branch of Jouti-Amrani, the power of Sultan Mohammed is limited to the region Fès39, plunging the whole country into anarchy and exposure to European expansionist tendencies. Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Shaykh, one of two survivors of the massacre of 1459, prepares his return to power, he finally accomplished in 1471 ending the short-lived government idrisside


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Almoravid dynasty (v.1060-1147) Almoravids.

Almoravid dynasty (v.1060-1147) Almoravids.


Map of the empire of the Almoravids
The Almoravids came from the Berber tribes of Sanhadjas Lamtounas and Guzzalas that nomadic in the Sahara desert between the Mauritanian Adrar and Tafilalet30, 31.32. These warrior tribes are structured in a powerful religious movement, led by the preacher Ibn Abdullah Yassin. Their goal is to bring the Sunni Maliki rite to the fullest extent of the Muslim West (Al-Andalus and North Africa) 32. Just their name and their al-Murabitoun, that is to say fighters Ribat, a stronghold of the holy war against their enemies drawn animists. The Almoravids were victorious in their war against the kingdoms of Tekrour black and Ghana. They seize and Ghana and its capital Aoudaghost, with all the gold produced by this country and come back to the caravan routes to the north, in the years to Tafilalet 1050, where they put an end to the existence the kingdom of Sijilmassa. Their heads are successively Abu Bakr Ibn Omar Youssef Ibn al Lamtouni then Tachfin32.
The war between the Almoravids and Zenetes. Banu Ifren Maghraoua and then lose all power after the victory of the Almoravids. This is Youssef Ibn Tachfin who founded Marrakech in 1062, initially single nomad camp destined to become the capital of an empire. The Almoravids are disappearing in the areas they control all the doctrines they suspect of heresy. Thus they suppress Shi'ism in the Souss and they destroy the kingdom that flourished Berghouata in the central plains of Tamesna (corresponding to the current regions Doukkala-Abda and Mpumalanga) and Tadla. Throughout the Almoravids impose the strictest Sunni Maliki, as taught by the theological schools of Medina and Kairouan. This unification of two religious political unification. The Almoravids and extend their conquests until the central Maghreb, bordering the kingdom Hammadid.
In 1086, Youssef Ibn Tachfin called by the kings of the Taifa Al Andalus, crossed the Straits of Gibraltar at the head of his forces composed of Saharan nomads and warriors Sanhadjas African Bilad as-Sudan, and thus able to break the offensive of the King of Castile Alfonso VI Zallaqa (Battle of Sagrajas). The Almoravids put an end to the reign of wrens, exiled Emir of Seville Ibn Abbad Al Mutamid and that of Granada, Abdullah bin Bologhin to Aghmat near Marrakech. They unify and Al-Andalus, which is incorporated into their empire from 1090. However, they fail to recover Toledo fell to the Castilians in 1085. Youssef Ibn Tachfin, who took the title of Emir of Muslims (but not the caliph, considering the privilege vested in the Abbasids) rule on a geopolitical entity stretching from Senegal to the edge of the Pyrenees and the Atlantic coast until 'in Algiers.


Christian and Muslim troops in Al-Andalus under the Almoravids


Interior view of the dome Almoravid Qubbat Barudiyin (1120) to Marrakech
The Almoravid domination is manifested by a symbiosis identities Andalusian-Maghreb and West Sahara, paving the way for the emergence of a Moorish civilization. Buildings remaining in Marrakesh, Tlemcen and Algiers thus show a strong influence of Andalusian art school (legacy Umayyad and Taifa) adapted to the taste Berber. In the economic sphere, the Almoravid state is distinguished by its control flow of gold, which controls the production areas and routes, Ghana the Mediterranean. The gold dinar Almoravid marabotin called, runs on all major commercial markets as currency.
After the death of Ibn Youssef Tachfin in 1106, his son Ali Ben Youssef succède32 him, but the dynasty is already challenged both in Spain and Africa. The ruling family is indeed taste the pleasures and delights of refined court life. At the same time, people undergo rigorous dictatorship cadis Maliki and abuses of local military leaders who exercise their origin Sanhadja command from Moroccan and Andalusian cities. Such a situation encourages widespread discontent across the great Almoravid kingdom.


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