1777
A century after the English leave Tangier a royal wreck, Morocco gets revenge and becomes
the first country to recognise the breakaway British colony calling itself the United States of
America.
1830
France seizes the Algerian coast, increasing pressure on the Moroccan sultan to cede power
in exchange for mafia-style protection along Morocco’s coasts from the advancing Ottomans.
1860
If at first you don’t succeed, try for seven centuries: Spain takes control of a swath of
northern Morocco reaching into the Rif.
1880
France, Britain, Spain and the US meet in Madrid and agree that Morocco can retain nominal
control over its territory – after granting themselves tax-free business licenses and duty-free
shopping.
1906
The controversial Act of Algeciras divvies up North Africa among European powers like a
bastilla pigeon pie, but Germany isn’t invited – a slight that exacerbated tensions among
European powers.
1912
The Treaty of Fez hands Morocco to the French protectorate, which mostly protects French
business interests at Moroccan taxpayer expense with the ruthless assistance of Berber
warlord Pasha el-Glaoui.
1921–26
Under the command of Abd el-Krim, Berber leaders rebel against Spanish rule of the Rif, and
Spain loses its foothold in the mountains.
1942
In defiance of Vichy France, Casablanca hosts American forces staging the Allied North
African campaign. This move yields US support for Moroccan independence and the classic
Humphrey Bogart film Casablanca.
1943–45
When the Allies struggle in Italy, US General Patton calls in the Goums, Morocco’s elite force
of mountain warriors. With daggers and night-time attacks, they advance the Allies in
Tuscany.
1944–53
Moroccan nationalists demand independence from France with increasing impatience. Sultan
Mohammed V is inclined to agree, and is exiled to Madagascar by the protectorate for the
crime of independent thought.