History of Moroccos Governments

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History of Moroccos Government

The long and rich history of the governmental institutions of Morocco span several centuries dating back to the Roman Empire. Beginning with their brief tenure as rulers of the North African region, the Romans unified the principally Berber-nomadic peoples of Morocco under Roman rule. During this period, Christianity and Judaism was introduced to the land.(1) After the fall of the Roman Empire in 476, Morocco remained just outside the rule of the Byzantine Empire and was introduced to Islam during the Arab invasions in the late 7th Century.

In 788, nearly 100 years after the Arab invasions of North Africa, “successive Moorish dynasties” established themselves as the supreme rulers of Morocco.(2) Beginning with its founder, Idris I, the Idrisid dynasty flourished as Morocco’s first Islamic monarchy. Claiming to have descended from Muhammad himself, Idris I., unified both the Berbers and the Arabs under one regime.(3) Following the breakup of the Indrisid dynasty, the Almoravid dynasty established itself as the new leader of the Moroccan people. This new regime ruled Morocco from the 11th century to the mid-12th century until it was overruled Almohad dynasty.

From 1130-1269, the Almohad dynasty ruled Morocco and most of North West Africa under a strict, religious code, stemming from Islamic teachings. The founder and leader of the Muwahhidun Confederation, Ibn Tumart, ruled the country by strict interpretations of the Qur’an. Monarchies continued to rule Morocco for the next few centuries, adhering to codes and teachings brought to the region by the Muwahhidun confederation. During the 16th Century, the Moroccan Sa’adi monarchy won a decisive victory during the Battle of the Three Kings which kept the Ottoman Empire from seizing Morocco. By preventing the empire’s invasion, Arab monarchies continued their rule of Morocco for another 3 centuries without another threat of European invasion.(4)

With the collapse of the Sa’adi monarchy, the Alawite dynasty took control of Morocco in the 17th century and still reigns as Morocco’s monarchy today. Under the rule of Isma'il ibn Sharif, the Alawite dynasty’s second ruler, a powerful Moroccan military was created and a French influence established itself in the region. Following a brief war with Spain in 1860 over land disputes and a succession of weak leaders in Morocco, France entered into an agreement with 'Abd al-Hafiz, the then sultan of Morocco in 1912, which allowed French protection over Morocco. During the period of 1912 to 1956, French codes and policies helped to shape the government of Morocco, allowing the Alawite dynasty to continue to rule the country under French auspices.

In 1956, France terminated its protectorate agreement with Morocco and the country gained complete independence from French rule. The Alawite dynasty continued its control of the government in the region for the second half of the 20th century. During this period, great political reforms occurred within the Moroccan government, catapulted by various leaders. By the 1990s, these reforms lead to the establishment of a “bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997.”(5) The creation of a parliamentary style of government established itself in Morroco by the end of the 1990s and works with the still Islamic monarchy controlling the country today.

References Cited: (1) “Morocco." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 1 Nov. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-214378>. (2) “Morocco” CIA - The World Factbook 2007, p156-156, 1p Academic Search Premier EBSCOhost <http://ucfproxy.fcla.edu/login?URL=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=24575812&site=ehost-live> (3) “Morocco." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 1 Nov. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-214378>. (4) “Morocco” World Almanac & Book of Facts 2006, p806-807, 2p Academic Search Premier EBSCOhost <http://ucfproxy.fcla.edu/login?URL=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=19231949&site=ehost-live> (5) “Morocco." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 1 Nov. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-214378>.