History^{_________________________}

7thC AD: Muslim Arab conquest of North Africa .

Successive Moorish dynasties rule in Morocco .

1860: War over Spain ’s Ceuta enclave. Ceuta is enlarged, and Spain wins another enclave.

1884: Spain creates a protectorate in coastal areas of Morocco .

1904: France and Spain agree on areas of influence in Morocco .

1906: France and Spain begin controlling Moroccan ports and collecting customs fees.

FRENCH PROTECTORATE

1912: Morocco becomes a French protectorate, but Spain continues to operate its coastal protectorate. The sultan is more of a symbolic leader.

1921-1926: Tribal rebellion in the Rif mountains. Suppressed by the French and Spanish troops.

1943: Independence party [Istiqlal] formed to work for independence.

1956: End of French protectorate. Spain keeps its two coastal enclaves.

1957: Sultan Muhammad becomes king.

1961: King Muhammad dies, and Hassan II becomes king.

1963: First general elections.

1965: King Hassan II declares a state of emergency and suspends parliament, as a result of social unrest.

1971: Failed attempt to kill king and establish a republic.

POLISARIO MOVEMENT

1973: Polisario movement formed and supported by Algeria . Goal: to establish an independent state in Spanish Sahara .

1975: November- The Green March: 350,000 civilian volunteers cross into Spanish Sahara at the order of King Hassan II.

          December- Spain withdraws from Spanish Sahara , now Western Sahara , and transfers it to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian control. Moroccan forces occupy the territory to protect it from Algeria .

1976: Morocco and Mauritania divide up the Western Sahara , while Algeria announces the formation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. Moroccan military and Polisario forces fight in the Western Sahara , and become a serious financial drain on Morocco .

1983: Summit meeting that softens relations between King Hassan II and the Algerian president. King cancels planned elections because of the political unrest and economic crisis.

1984: Morocco leaves the Organisation of African Unity to protest its admission of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic.

1988: Diplomatic relations with Algeria restored.

SAHARA CEASEFIRE

1991: The UN creates ceasefire in the Western Sahara , but ownership of the territory remains undecided. There is also a proposed referendum, but parties involved keep rejecting its terms.

1998: Morocco has its first opposition-led government.

1999: King Hassan II dies, and Muhammad VI becomes king.

2001: King Muhammad VI creates controversy by touring the Western Sahara .

2002: July- Morocco and Spain agree on a US-administered resolutions over the disputed island of Perejil .

          December/January- Morocco and Spain hold their first talks since their conflict over Perejil and agree to return ambassadors.

2003: February- Three Saudis sent to jail for 10 years in Morocco after plotting to attack US and British military ships in the Strait of Gibraltar.

          May- Series of suicide bombings in Casablanca . 41 people killed and many injured.

2004: February- Earthquake kills more than 500 people in the north of Morocco .

          July- Free trade agreement with the US put in effect.

2005: Truth commission to investigate human rights abuses during the reign of King Hassan II. Commission claims 592 people were killed between 1956 and 1999.