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Reign of Muhammad V

In 1927, Moulay Youssef was succeded by his son Mohamed V, aged 17 years old. Unexpectedly thrust upon the throne of Morocco on November 18, 1927, Mohammed ben Youssef died just as unexpectedly on February 26, 1961. When he assumed the sultanate, little was anticipated of him except that he dutifully carry out the bidding of his colonial master, he French Resident General. When he died, his indelible shadow had been cast not only over his country but throughout the world of Africa and Asia that was emerging from the servility of colonialism and his achievements were respected among the great powers of the world as well.

Mohammed V is truly an enigmatic historical figure. Chosen by the French protettorate authorities to become Sultan because lie was deemed to be more docile than his two older brothers, he matured into an independent-minded, formidable opponent to the continuation of Morocco's subservient status. Essentially confined within the walls of his palace prior to his 1953 exile and eventual return in 1955, he nevertheless wielded influence and power over the far reaches of his realm to an extent almost unheard of for a Sultan of Morocco.

His pre-eminence among the Moroccan people was reinforced flot only because he personified Morocco's successful confrontation with France but because of his ability to appeal to praçtically all sectors of Moroccan society. Because he wore the djelaba; remained polygamous, spoke Arabic elegantly, practiced his religion with style and respect, traditionalists identified with him. Because he drove his own car - and on occasion a tractor - because he also spoke French, had removed his daughter's veil and had his children given a modern upbringing, modemists could also take him as their model.

In January 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt and Degaulle met for four days in the Casablanca suburb of Anfa to map out strategy for the war. The ANFA Conference is significant because it marked the moment when the Allies first agreed on the demand for the "unconditional surrender" of the Axis powers. One of the highlights of the conference was a dinner party hosted by President Roosevelt in honor of Sultan Mohammed V and his son Moulay Hassan. This recognition of the Moroccan sovereign as host of the conference and as a ruler of importance by President Roosevelt gave credibility to Moroccan aspirations for independence.

It was not until after World War II that the independence movement really gathered momentum. The troops Moroccans provided for the French army had conducted themselves with honor. At that time, an official independence party was formed called Istiqlal, whose first act was to send a memorundum to the sultan and the French authorities asking for independence and a democratic constitution. The immediate reaction to this request was the arrest of several Istiqlal leaders, whereas the sultan refused to sign any more decrees concerning his people.

In August 1953 the royal family was deported to Corsica and Madagascar, and another person was designed by the French to sit on the throne. Violence towards the French officials was the reaction of the Moroccan people, who claimed the return of the king.

In December 1956, the king was taken to France, where he signed a declaration promising that there would be a constitutional monarchy which would move towards ademocratic state. In March 1956, the French signed an agreement in which they granted full independence to Morocco. The Spanish did the same and Tangier lost its international status during the same year. The Sultan formed a government and French Officials were gradually replaced by Moroccans. He changed the title of ruler from Sultan to King in 1957.

Upon the return of the Sultan from exile in 1955, President Eisenhower had sent him a special message expressing his hope that the new reign would "...restore peace and prosperity which the United States so deeply desires" to the Moroccan people. When Morocco finally broke free from the French in 1956, President Eisenhower again sent a message this time through his diplomatic agent in Morocco, Julius Holmes congratulating Morocco and saying "...My government renews its wishes for the peace and prosperity of Morocco, and has asked me to express its gratification that Morocco has freely chosen, as a sovereign nation, to continue in the path of its traditional friendships." In return, the Sultan affirmed that the Treaty of 1836 would continue to be honored and stated Morocco's support of a common policy against communism.

In 1961, King Mohamed V was succeded by Crown Prince Hassan II who presented a new constitution. The first elected parliament assembled on 1963.