INDEPENDENCE
After much resistance and discontent with the French rule, Moroccans fought for their independence. While Morocco was fighting in World War I, a political party called the Istiqlal formed with the intent to make Morocco independent again. The sultan at the time, Mohammed V, supported this party and tried to help them make progress. When France found out, they immediately refused and riots began all over the country. France sent Mohammed V and other Istiqlal leaders into exile in the hopes that the chaos would die down. Instead of calming Morocco, people were outraged and began committing acts of violence. New Istiqlal leaders appeared and formed their own National Liberation Army to fight French forces. Wanting to restore order, France brought back Mohammed V and agreed to free Morocco. It was officially declared an independent nation on March 2nd, 1956. After so many years of not governing themselves Morocco has had difficulty recovering from their lack of government experience.