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Spanish protectorate in Morocco

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Flag of Spanish Morocco

Spanish Morocco (Template:Lang-ar), was the area of Morocco (Protectorado español de Marruecos in Spanish) under colonial rule by Spain, established by the Treaty of Fez in 1912 and ending in 1956, when France and Spain recognized Moroccan independence.

Territorial borders

Map of the northernmost territories belonging to the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco (1912 - 1956)

The territories of Spanish Morocco included northern Morocco (the territory in between the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish since the 17th and 16th centuries respectively), the Tarfaya Strip, and Ifni. The capital of Spanish Morocco was called Tetuan (Tétouan).

The rest of the country was ruled by France under the name of French Morocco also in 1912-56.

The Republic of the Rif was a break away state that existed in the Rif region from 1921 to 1926, when it was dissolved by joint Spanish and French forces.

Spanish historical claims

Ceuta had been Portuguese before becoming Spanish for two centuries. The city of Melilla jewish was part of Spain since 1497. However most of the other territories were only gained after 1912 (see First Moroccan Crisis). There was a Spanish Christian presence in the area from the time of the 15th century explorations, with formal Spanish possession from the mid-19th century. After Spanish Reconquista, the region had welcome Sephardim and Moriscos expelled from Spain.

In the late 19th century, Queen Isabella II of Spain had to encourage the officers of Southern Spain to curb the migration of unauthorized poor Spaniards to the new territories.

The protectorate

The basis of the protectorate system were established during the Second Spanish Republic. The legal Islamic system was formally maintained with its qadis.

The Moroccan Jews flourished in commerce, profiting from the similarity of Spanish and Ladino. The inaccessibility of Muslim women led to several marriages between Spanish men and Jewish women. After the pacification, a coexistence developed, with members of all the urban communities being invited to the celebrations of the others.

Paradoxically, the protectorate enjoyed more freedom than Franco-era Spain. There were political parties and the Moroccan nationalist press criticized the Spanish authorities, contrasting with the Spanish single party and state-controlled press.

Morocco gains sovereignty

In 1956, when French Morocco became independent, Spain surrendered parts of these territories to the newly independent Morocco, but retained control of Ceuta, Melilla, Sidi Ifni and Tarfaya region. Morocco responded by supporting the Army of Liberation uprising in these areas, and also widening the conflict to Spanish Sahara (which was not part of Spanish Morocco, but claimed by the Sultan as part of Greater Morocco). As part of a deal to call of the rebel forces, Spain in 1958 ceded Tarfaya to Morocco. This was later followed by Ifni in 1969.

Spain still possesses Ceuta and Melilla, and Morocco still claims them as integral parts of the country, considering them to be under foreign occupation.

List of High Commissioners

See also

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