Emergence of Nationalist Politics in Morocco

Daniel Zisenwine is Research Fellow at The Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Tel Aviv University.

'This is a solidly-researched study of an important dimension of Moroccan political history that deserves renewed attention given the emergence of a more liberalized and pluralistic political order under King Mohammed VI. The book's focus on the French protectorate and the forces that eventually led to the creation of the country's first modern political party, the Istiqlal party, around which the nation's independence movement was organized, is both timely and informative. The Istiqlal has demonstrated a remarkable resiliency over these last six decades as it has reemerged as a leading political force in legislative life. While questions remain on the long-term importance of Moroccan political parties in their contest for democratic supremacy in a system still overwhelmingly dominated by monarchical authority, a re-evaluation of the Istiqlal's role in raising Morocco's nationalist consciousness and, indirectly, giving legitimacy to the country's status as a constitutional monarchy, deserves the attention of all those interested in Moroccan political history and, more broadly, the nature of party formation and participation in non-democratic systems. The use of numerous archival sources and primary documentary materials including original correspondence adds to this study's value to both scholars and students alike.' - John Entelis, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Middle East Studies Program, Department of Political Science, Fordham University, New York, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of North African Studies; 'With this book, Daniel Zisenwine has offered a thoughtful, engaged analysis of the nationalist movement. It is a careful treatment, enriched by a close analysis of archival material, including official communiques, as well as journalistic accounts. Most importantly, this book does a superb job of making clear the ways in which decades old history remains salient to this day. It will be a valuable contribution to the literature.' - Gregory White, Professor of Government, Smith College, and Associate Editor of the Journal of North African Studies

• IntroductionChapter 1: The Nationalist Movement in French Morocco during World War II1.1: Moroccan Nationalism in the 1930s1.2: Moroccan Nationalism during World War II1.3: Moroccan Nationalism at the End of World WarChapter 2: The Establishment of the Istiqlal Party and the 1944 Riots2.1: Moroccan Nationalism's Renewed Vitality and the Istiqlal's Establishment2.2: The Party Platform and its Publication2.3: The 1944 RiotsChapter 3: The Istiqlal in the Aftermath of the 1944 Riots3.1: Coping with the Riots' Outcome3.2: The French Reform Initiative and the Resumption of Party ActivityChapter 4: The Istiqlal's Social Initiatives4.1: Towards New Activities4.2: The Party's Social Activities and their MeaningChapter 5: The Istiqlal's Ties with the Sultan: The Rise of a National Leader 5.1: The Relations between the Sultan and the French5.2: The Relations between the Sultan Sidi Muhammad and his Subjects 5.3: The Sultan's Relations with the Nationalist Movement and the IstiqlalChapter 6: Attempts to Revise French Policies: Eirik Labonne's Reform Efforts6.1: Background and Reactions to Labonne's Appointment6.2: Labonne's Policies upon Assuming Office: The Release of Imprisoned Nationalist Leaders6.3: Labonne's Reform Plans and their ImpactChapter 7: A New Stage in Nationalist Politics: The Sultan's Visit to Tangier7.1: Tangier in Modern Moroccan History7.2: The Sultan's Visit7.3: The Visit's Impact on French Policy and the IstiqlalChapter 8: An Intensified Nationalist Struggle: The Crises of 1950-518.1: The Istiqlal and the Moroccan Working Class8.2: New Faces among the Istiqlal's Leadership: The Rise of Mehdi Ben8.3: The Sultan's Deteriorating Relations with the ResidencyChapter 9: The Nationalist Struggle's Turning Point: The Sultan's Deposition9.1 Increased Tension between the Residency, the Monarchy, and the Istiqlal9.2 The Sultan's Deposition9.3 The Istiqlal and the CrisisConclusion