At the turn of the 18th century, Morocco was the only Arabic-speaking nation not a part of the vast Ottoman Empire. The independent country was ruled by the once powerful Alaouite dynasty of sultans, who ruled since capturing Fés in 1666. Although Morocco remained independent through the forefront of African colonization, European powers had their eyes set on the “Arab or the West”. Colonization became possible when a 13-year-old from the Alaouite dynasty succeeded as sultan in 1894, reducing Morocco to a state of anarchy and vulnerability. The Moroccan people as a whole were lost in a sea of uncertainty because of a weak leader and constant foreign threats. The last free Arab nation finally lost its freedom and independence in 1900, when
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In 1921, an army led by Abd-el-Krim won an impressive battle over the Spanish to maintain control of the Rif, the coastal area by Tetouan. Abd-el-Krim maintained control of the Rif until 1926 when a combined French and Spanish force of 250,000 men overtook Abd-el-Krim’s army.
This defeat resulted in the Moroccan people looking towards a new age of ideology. Groups of young educated Moroccans began demanding political freedom and even spoke about independence from Spain and France. The idea of independence continued to flourish during World War II, when United States President Roosevelt visited Morocco. At the Casablanca Conference of 1942, both Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke in favor of Moroccan independence and opposition to the French …show more content…
These movements aren’t directly associated with the February 20 Movement but were surely inspired by it. Analysts show that the February 20 movement has raised the political awareness of Moroccans.In response to the growing tensions, the government has targeted many pro-democracy activists who are arrested and imprisoned. This shows that as a collective society, Morocco is moving closer and closer to democracy.
Morocco has achieved great successes in the past 100 years. They regained their sovereignty from Spain and France, established a parliamentary monarchy and improved freedoms and liberties within its borders. Morocco is the only Mediterranean country with an Islamist government along with being the only Arab country to resurface from the Arab Spring with a real multi-party democracy. King Mohamad, unlike other rulers who tried combat the Arab Spring with violence, made constitutional reforms. Mohamad has also decreased his once all-inclusive power to just intelligence, defense and foreign policy while the rest is the duty of elected officials. There are still very large obstacles for the country to overcome before it can experience true political freedom. The main obstacle is allowing King Mohamed to continue to have constitutional power. Since the outbreak of protest, there has been little political change and political parties
In 1921, an army led by Abd-el-Krim won an impressive battle over the Spanish to maintain control of the Rif, the coastal area by Tetouan. Abd-el-Krim maintained control of the Rif until 1926 when a combined French and Spanish force of 250,000 men overtook Abd-el-Krim’s army.
This defeat resulted in the Moroccan people looking towards a new age of ideology. Groups of young educated Moroccans began demanding political freedom and even spoke about independence from Spain and France. The idea of independence continued to flourish during World War II, when United States President Roosevelt visited Morocco. At the Casablanca Conference of 1942, both Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke in favor of Moroccan independence and opposition to the French …show more content…
These movements aren’t directly associated with the February 20 Movement but were surely inspired by it. Analysts show that the February 20 movement has raised the political awareness of Moroccans.In response to the growing tensions, the government has targeted many pro-democracy activists who are arrested and imprisoned. This shows that as a collective society, Morocco is moving closer and closer to democracy.
Morocco has achieved great successes in the past 100 years. They regained their sovereignty from Spain and France, established a parliamentary monarchy and improved freedoms and liberties within its borders. Morocco is the only Mediterranean country with an Islamist government along with being the only Arab country to resurface from the Arab Spring with a real multi-party democracy. King Mohamad, unlike other rulers who tried combat the Arab Spring with violence, made constitutional reforms. Mohamad has also decreased his once all-inclusive power to just intelligence, defense and foreign policy while the rest is the duty of elected officials. There are still very large obstacles for the country to overcome before it can experience true political freedom. The main obstacle is allowing King Mohamed to continue to have constitutional power. Since the outbreak of protest, there has been little political change and political parties