Morocco is formally a Sultanate under Mohammed V, but in Practice divided between the colonial empires of Spain (in the North) and France (the big Rest). In 1940, it has 7.5 to 8 Million inhabitants, the Majority of which are Berbs, but the Arabs have disproportionate influence.
In the last decades, there had been uprisings in both parts, which were beaten down by, among others, the later Dictator Francisco Franco. During the Spanish Civil War, the Moroccan occupation army helped to tip the balance in Franco's favor.
The city of Tangier, which controls the entry of the Med, has been an international Zone since 1923. On June 10th in 1940, it was occupied by Spain, which the Allies tolerated to avoid Nazi Germany or fascist Italy taking it instead.
Charles Noguès has been the French Resident-General since 1936. Spanish High commissioner is Carlos Asensio Cabanillas - some of his predecessors are Franco and Primo de Rivera.
When World War II began in 1939, the Sultan called his fellow Moroccans to fight on the Allies' Side. The independence movement hopes that a victory of the Allies will lead to the independence of the country.
About 55,000 French soldiers are stationed here.
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