Morocco
2 March 1956
- Sovereignty from
- France (and Spain, in the north)
- Marked as
- Independence Day
- Years sovereign
- 70
The struggle
The French and Spanish protectorates of 1912 faced sustained resistance, from Abd el-Krim's Rif Republic in the 1920s to the Istiqlal party's 1944 manifesto. When France deposed and exiled Sultan Mohammed V in 1953 the country erupted; his return in 1955 forced negotiations. France ended the protectorate on 2 March 1956 and Spain followed in April.
Key people
Mohammed V
1909–1961
Sultan exiled for backing independence; returned as king
Allal al-Fassi
1910–1974
Leader of the Istiqlal independence party
Abd el-Krim
1882–1963
Led the Rif war against Spain and France
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