SOAS Research Online

Abstract

Mawlay Sulayman's reign (1792-1822) has so far received little attention from students of Moroccan history. The present work is designed to fill this gap in the modern history of Morocco by investigating the social, economic, political and religious aspects of this period of thirty years. It is intended to provide students of the modern history of Morocco with basic factual knowledge about the period. Initially, the thesis describes the structures of the Moroccan State and of Moroccan society at the turn of the nineteenth century. The economic history of the period is emphasised, particularly Morocco's commercial relations with Europe and the reasons behind the weakening of these relations at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The thesis then reconstructs the political history of Morocco during Mawlay Sulayman's reign. The discussion of political relations with the major European powers is intended to invalidate the long-held view of Morocco's isolation during the period under study. However, the most important - and the least known -aspect of the period from 1792 to 1822 is made up by Mawlay Sulayman's religious ideas and policy. To what extent was he reformist in his ideas? What was the real impact of the Wahhabi doctrine on the religious debate in Morocco, and what made the confrontation between Mawlay Sulayman and religious groups inevitable? These are some of the questions the thesis seeks to answer before moving on to discuss the Fes rebellion (1820-1822) which was really the last serious attempt by traditionalist groups to change the course of history to their advantage.