1904 – 1906

France and Spain carve out zones of influence. France and Spain control Moroccan ports and collect customs duty.

1912

With the Sultan as a figurehead, Morocco becomes a French protectorate administered by a French Resident-General and Spain maintains its protectorate.

1921-1926

French and Spanish troops suppress tribal rebellion in Rif mountains of rural Morocco.

1943

Nationalists found the Istiqlal, or Party of Independence, to organize and pressure France to grant independence.

1956 – 1957

Nationalist popular agitation ends the French protectorate. Spain retains control over some coastal territory. Sultan Mohammed becomes king in 1957.

1961 – 1963

King Mohammed dies, and his son, King Hassan II, succeeds him. Moroccans hold first general elections in 1963.

1971

Attempt by opposition leaders to depose the king and establish a republic fails.

1973

Algeria supports Polisario efforts to establish an independent state in the Spanish Sahara. King orders the Green March to assert Moroccan sovereignty in Spanish Sahara. Spain eventually agrees to joint Moroccan-Mauritanian control of the territory of Western Sahara.

1983

King Hassan and Algerian president hold a summit meeting as part of efforts to improve relations. In 1988, Morocco resumes full diplomatic relations with Algeria.

1991

UN-monitored ceasefire begins in Western Sahara, but the territory’s status remains unresolved.

1998

Morocco's first opposition-led government comes to power. The following year King Hassan II is succeeded by his son, Mohammed VI.

2007

Morocco and Polisario talks at the UN fail. The conservative Istiqlal party wins election.

2008

Authenticity and Modernity Party forms political alliances leading toward electoral majority in parliament. 

2011

Popular demonstrations call for political reform and limits on the monarchy’s power. Monarchy succeeds in a referendum on constitutional reform, proving resilience during the wave of "Arab Spring" protests. Moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) wins parliamentary elections.

2012

PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane heads a new coalition in parliament. Thousands participate in trade union rally in Casablanca calling for reforms.