The American landing in November 1942: a turning point in Morocco's contemporary history

The Allied landings of November 1942 were a critical step towards the final victory over the Axis; they were also meaningful in terms of Morocco’s foreign and domestic policy, marking a sharp turn towards the USA and the West that endured far into the future. The arrival of the Americans revived the hopes of the nationalists, encouraged the Sultan to defy the French, and stimulated military and diplomatic contacts between the Moroccan political class and the Americans. The landing also produced a windfall of goods that relieved the suffering of the Moroccan people, as well as a wealth of propaganda on all sides. Nazi media seized upon the event to vilify both Americans and Jews, French propaganda stressed the ignorance of Americans about Muslim customs, while American propaganda featured symbols of its military might. For Moroccan–American relations, the landings are highlighted as contributing to a progressive relationship of warmth and friendliness stretching back to the time of the early Republic.