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History of Morocco

A country regarded as one of the world's oldest continuously existing states.. 5 eras, 1040–1956.

Almoravid dynasty, 1040–1147 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Almoravid dynasty was a Berber Muslim dynasty centered in the territory of present-day Morocco. During their expansion into the Maghreb, they founded the city of Marrakesh as a capital around 1070. The Almoravids expanded their control to al-Andalus and were crucial in temporarily halting the advance of the Christian kingdoms in this region, with the Battle of Sagrajas in 1086 among their signature victories. The last Almoravid ruler, Ishaq ibn Ali, was killed when the Almohads captured Marrakesh in 1147.

Seat of power: Azougui

Almohad Caliphate, 1121–1269 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Almohad Caliphate was a North African Muslim empire ruled by a Berber dynasty from 1130 to 1269, which at its height controlled much of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula. Under Abd al-Mu'min, the Almohads overthrew the Almoravids, captured Marrakesh in 1147, and established control over the western Maghreb. The decisive turning point of Almohad power in Iberia came in 1212, when caliph Muhammad al-Nasir was defeated at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa by an alliance of forces from Castile, Aragon, and Navarre.

Seat of power: Tinmel

Marinid dynasty, 1215–1465 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Marinid dynasty was a Berber Zenata dynasty that ruled much of the Maghreb, chiefly present-day Morocco, from the mid-13th to the 15th century. The Marinids waged war during the 13th century to overthrow the Almohads, eventually succeeding in 1269 with the capture of Marrakesh. In 1465 the last Marinid sultan, Abd al-Haqq II, was finally overthrown and killed by a revolt in Fez.

Seat of power: Fez

Sharifian Empire, 1510–1912 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Alawi Sultanate, officially known as the Sharifian Sultanate and as the Sultanate of Morocco, was the state ruled by the Alawi dynasty over Morocco, from their rise to power in the 1660s to the 1912 Treaty of Fes. The dynasty originated from the Tafilalt region and rose to power following the collapse of the Saadi Sultanate in the 17th century. The sultanate reached an apogee of political power during the reign of his successor, Moulay Isma'il, who exercised strong central rule. Morocco remained independent under 'Alawi rule until 1912, when it was placed under the control of a French protectorate.

Seat of power: Fez

Rulers

French protectorate in Morocco, 1912–1956 Draft, not yet reviewed

The French protectorate in Morocco was the period of French colonial rule in Morocco that lasted from 1912 to 1956. The protectorate was officially established 30 March 1912, when Sultan Abd al-Hafid signed the Treaty of Fez. The protectorate ended with the dissolution of the Treaty of Fez on 2 March 1956, with the Franco-Moroccan Joint Declaration. The last French troops left Morocco in November 1961.

Seat of power: Rabat

Rulers

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.