A significant
demand of the rebels in 1911 was the dismissal of the grand vizier, Madani
al-Glaoui. Consequently, one of the first actions taken by the French upon their
arrival was the summary dismissal of Madani al-Glaoui and all members of his
clan holding makhzan office. Although it seems strange given Madani al-Glaoui's
later notoriety as the pasha of Marrakech, there was considerable suspicion of
his loyalties within French military and diplomatic circles at Fez. General
Charles Mangin was convinced that Madani had intrigued against the military
mission, and French consul Henri Gaillard held grave doubts about his
reliability. His brother, al-Hajj Tahami, was considered more favorable to
France, being a protege of the Compagnie Marocaine. Initially, the French
thought it best to strip the entire family of power in a comprehensive
house-cleaning effort. The makhzan at Fez fell into the hands of Muhammad
al-Muqri and his clan, who were less influential in the new circumstances. In
Marrakech, the chief candidate to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of the
Glaoui clan was Abd al-Malik al-Mtouggui, a long-time rival of the Glaoui
family and more militantly anti-French.
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Political Instability and the Fall of the Glaoui Clan
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The Glaoui Clan's Resignation and Political Maneuvering
Rapid changes of
fortune were common in Moroccan politics, so the clan of al-Glaoui initially
accepted their fate with stoic resignation. However, they later became
apprehensive that Abd al-Hafiz intended to seize their considerable properties
in the south and sought British intervention on their behalf. In the meantime,
talk of jihad circulated in the Chaouia and Marrakech regions. In mid-June,
after British representations on behalf of al-Hajj Tahami, an agreement was
reached whereby he was allowed to list his relatives for French protection and
immunities accorded by the Quai d'Orsay. Further negotiations between the
makhzan, France, and al-Hajj Tahami, with the British minister Sir Reginald Lister
as an interested party, resulted in a final settlement. Al-Hajj Tahami was
permitted to retain his properties in Marrakech, and the Glaoui clan agreed to
pay the Moroccan treasury the equivalent of 20,000 pounds sterling. This
settlement was a half-measure at best, leaving unresolved the tense and
ambiguous political situation in the south. Al-Hajj Tahami had not been
reappointed as pasha of Marrakech, nor had any other Glaoui chiefs received
confirmation of their positions. Al-Mtouggui made several efforts to take over
tribes formerly under Glaoui sway, and the tribes at Demnat revolted against
their Glaoui qaid. The French exacerbated the situation by refraining from
openly favoring either candidate, as the sultan was still the legal authority
in the state and the French could only advise. The new pasha appointed for
Marrakech was Idris Wuld al-Hajj Minu (Driss Menou), a notoriously corrupt
retainer of Abd al-Hafiz. From his arrival in Marrakech, Minu opposed France,
collected taxes with vigor equal to al-Glaoui's, and extorted additional
contributions. As the sultan's business associate, he began illegally selling
makhzan properties and engaging in land speculation, irritating local merchants
and resident Europeans. He also engaged in anti-French propaganda and
encouraged open defiance against France. From the French perspective, Minu's
appointment was a disaster.
Efforts to Reinstate al-Hajj
Tahami
Efforts to
reinstate al-Hajj Tahami began in October 1911 with British sponsorship.
Despite strong pressure from French diplomatic agents on the sultan, he
continued to procrastinate. The situation in Marrakech grew more unstable as
tension mounted between al-Mtouggui and Glaoui factions. By April 1912, Minu
remained firmly ensconced in Marrakech, contributing to the political
instability that played a significant role in the rise of a new pretender in
the south following the signing of the protectorate treaty. The behavior of
Mawlay Abd al-Hafiz following the occupation of Fez set the tone for the rest
of his people. He was willfully obstructionist in matters of administration
like the Glaoui succession controversy and skillfully exploited the ambiguities
surrounding his position. Notably, he sold makhzan properties for his benefit,
a practice that undermined his legitimacy in the eyes of his people and made
him millions of Moroccan pesetas. Working through a local agent in Marrakech,
Abd al-Hafiz engaged in profitable land speculation. Moroccan law made no clear
distinction between lands that were part of the national patrimony (and
therefore inalienable) and the personal property of the monarch. This practice
continued up to the eve of his abdication, further damaging his reputation and
legitimacy.
The Broader Political Context and Implications
The dismissal of
Madani al-Glaoui and the subsequent political maneuvers highlight the broader
context of political instability and power struggles in early 20th-century
Morocco. The French administration's efforts to consolidate control and
implement reforms were met with resistance from various factions within
Moroccan society. The political dynamics in the south, particularly in
Marrakech, were influenced by the competition between different power groups,
including the Glaoui and al-Mtouggui factions. The French administration's
attempts to navigate these complexities and maintain stability often led to
further tensions and conflicts. The events in Marrakech and the south also
reflected broader themes of resistance to colonial rule and the challenges of establishing
effective governance in a colonial context. The French administration's
reliance on local collaborators and the need to balance competing interests
created a complex and often volatile political landscape.
Tensions Between French Diplomats and Military
The political
instability in Marrakech exemplified the broader tensions between French
diplomats and military officials during the protectorate period. The dismissal
of the Glaoui clan and the appointment of Idris Wuld al-Hajj Minu were
influenced by differing priorities and strategies within the French
administration. Diplomats like Henri Gaillard favored a more subtle and patient
approach in dealing with Moroccan leaders, while military officials like
General Mangin prioritized security and control. These internal divisions
within the French administration complicated efforts to implement a coherent
and effective policy in Morocco. The conflicting approaches often led to delays
and misunderstandings, further exacerbating the challenges of colonial
governance. The involvement of British officials, such as Sir Reginald
Lister, in negotiating settlements and advocating for the Glaoui clan
highlighted the international dimension of Moroccan politics. The British had
their interests in the region and sought to influence the course of events to
their advantage. Their support for al-Hajj Tahami and their efforts to mediate
conflicts between different factions added another layer of complexity to the
political landscape. The political instability and power struggles in Marrakech
and the south had significant impacts on local communities. The competition
between different factions disrupted traditional power structures and created
uncertainty for ordinary Moroccans. The displacement of established leaders like
the Glaoui clan and the appointment of new officials like Idris Wuld al-Hajj
Minu led to changes in governance and administration, affecting everyday life
in the region. Local communities also bore the brunt of the broader
geopolitical struggles between colonial powers and competing interests. The
imposition of new taxes, land confiscations, and changes in property ownership
created economic hardships and fueled resentment against the French
administration and its local collaborators.
The Rise of a New Pretender
The political
instability in Marrakech and the broader south region created a fertile ground
for the rise of a new pretender. The unresolved tensions and power struggles
left a vacuum that could be exploited by ambitious leaders seeking to challenge
the existing order. The signing of the protectorate treaty in 1912 further
intensified these dynamics, as different factions vied for influence and
control under the new colonial framework. The emergence of a new pretender
reflected the broader theme of resistance to colonial rule and the ongoing
struggle for power and legitimacy in Morocco. The complex interplay of local,
national, and international factors created a volatile and dynamic political
environment. The aftermath of the revolt and the Second Moroccan Crisis marked
a period of significant political instability and power struggles in Morocco.
The dismissal of Madani al-Glaoui and the subsequent political maneuvers
highlight the broader context of resistance to colonial rule and the
complexities of governance in a colonial context. The political dynamics
in Marrakech and the south, influenced by competition between different power
groups, created a volatile and unstable political landscape. The French
administration's efforts to navigate these complexities and maintain stability
were met with resistance and further tensions. The broader political context
and implications of these events reflect the challenges of colonial rule and
the enduring impact of these historical dynamics on Morocco's development and
political landscape. The legacy of this period continues to influence Morocco's
ongoing quest for modernization and national identity. The interactions between
French diplomats and military officials, the role of British influence, and the
impact on local communities all contributed to the complexity of the situation.
The rise of a new pretender in the south further underscored the challenges of
establishing effective governance and the ongoing struggle for power and
legitimacy in Morocco.
Conclusion
Overall, the period
following the Second Moroccan Crisis was marked by significant challenges and
upheavals, reflecting the broader dynamics of colonial rule and resistance in
early 20th-century Morocco. The events and developments of this period continue
to resonate in the country's history and its ongoing journey towards a unified
and independent future.
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