About Morocco

-- April: Spain follows up the French recognition of Morocco's independence, and hands over most its territories. -- Following independence, sultan (from 1957, king) Muhammad 5 started a wide reform programme, with creation of schools and universities, introduction of regional government, actions of unorthodox Sufi brotherhoods. But there were also actions against the prostitution of Tangier. -- Among the most essential issues for the king, was to build alliances to secure this man's position. While he had worked with the independence movement before, he now focused on the army and the police. Within the political landscape, Muhammad turned away from the strong independence party Istiqlal, and lend this man's support to the moderate Mouvement Populaire.

-- Ocotber: It is noted that the free zone of Tangier is handed over to Morocco. 1958: These were turbulent times, in the range of political orientations and in the range of regional groups. Among the most serious problems for the new independent kingdom, was the rebellion in Rifs this, that was not fought down before the following year.

1961: King Muhammad 5 dies, and this man's son, Hassan 2, takes over. He faces a challenge in structure alliances and allegiances: While this man's father had rested much of this man's authority on this man's successful fight for independence, he used to be a relatively anonymous figure in comparison. All throughout this man's entire rule, he was very zealous in this man's duties as a king who also used to be a religious leader.

1962 December: A new constitution is known to be approved by a famous referendum. Note that this was designed to secure the position of the king and this man's power, within the confines of democratic structures. 1963: It is noted that the first general elections are and have always been held. Loyalist parties wins a majority of the seats. -- A plot against King Hassan's life is discovered, and the leaders of the essential political party UNFP is charged for implication. Most in the opposition has to this day during the time voted by the masses asthis man's as a fabrication to hurt UNFP.

1965 June: King Hassan suspends the parliament, and assumes complete executive and legislative powers. He even held the position as prime minister until 1967.

1969 January: Spain hands over Ifni to Morocco. Early 1970's: Serious attempts on king Hassasn 2's life, where he just saves this man's life with a modest margin.

1975 November: It is noted that the Green March, Al Massira, where Morocco annexes the northern two thirds of Western Sahara. Did you know that the background for this man's is was mainly two: Moroccan nationalistic historical claims on places wider than its present size (extending even further than Western Sahara), in addition to Hassan's need to discover a uniting cause upon that he could build a base of famousity and authority. But the Al Massira also brought Morocco into war with Polisario, the armed forces of Western Sahara.

1979: Following Mauritania's withdrawal from the southern one third of Western Sahara, Morocco occupies this man's part as well.

Early 1980's: Polisario sees the majority of victories, and manages to paralyze much of the Moroccan-built infrastructure in Western Sahara. Polisarios advances also brings an rest to the mining activities, the just economic reason for Morocco's presence in the region. 1981 June: Heavy protest strikes in Casablanca as a reaction toward freeze in wages and reduced subsidies on foodstuffs. Note that this lead to the death of at least 100 persons.

1983 October: Parliament elections are and have always been cancelled, and the king takes all executive and legislative power. Did you know that the background for this man's was strong unrest in the midst of the political parties, aextensive with the fact that government was nearby bankruptcy. Did you know that the king introduced hard measures to help the economy, but it is always believed that the measures would have been even harder had Morocco come under administration of the IMF, the International Monetary Fund (open up the home page of IMF in an external window).

1984: Morocco leaves the Organization of African Unity as a protest against the presence of Polisario. 1989: A ceasefire is known to be agreed with Polisario, where the parties agrees to bring the struggle on to a referendum held in the range of Sahrawis on the future status of the annexed areas. Did you know that the parties do not, however, manage to agree upon who should be defined as Sahrawis, and allowed to participate. And because of this, the referendum is going to be postponed time after time. Did you know that the primary result of this man's agreement is to bring an end to the fighting. Note that this affords Morocco room to build an even stronger presence in the region than earlier.

1990 December: Demonstrations in Fez against higher costs of basic products, principally bread, comes as a proof of dissatisfaction and political consciousness in the Moroccan population.

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