The Conquest of Morocco: The Bizarre History of France’s Last Great Colonial Adventure, the Long Struggle to Subdue a Medieval Kingdom by Intrigue and Force of Arms, 1903-1914

__The Conquest of Morocco__tells the story of France's last great colonial adventure. At the turn of the 20th century, Morocco was a nation yet to emerge from the Middle Ages, ruled by local warlords & riven by religious fanaticism. But in the mad scramble for African colonies, Morocco had one great attraction for the Europeans: it was available. In 1903, France undertook to conquer the exotic & backward country. By the time WWI broke out the conquest was virtually complete. Based on extensive original research,__The Conquest of Morocco__is a splendid work of popular history. At the turn of the century, the Arican country closest to Europe geographically was probably the least known. Morocco was a nation yet to emerge from the Middle Ages, violent and primitive, a place ruled by local warlords out of mud castles, and swept by religious fanaticism. "To strike out from Tangiers," writes Douglas Porch, "was to enter a time capsule -- emperors, slaves, harems, fortified towns, filth, superstition, blood feuds, and barbarism." Yet in the mad scramble for African colonies, backward and poverty-stricken Morocco had one great attraction: it was available. In 1903, with the posting to Africa of one of the oddest of all French military figures, General Hubert Lyautey (royalist, strategist, homosexual), France undertook to change this state of affairs, and by the time World War I broke out the conquest was virtually complete. - Jacket flap. At the turn of the century, the African country closest to Europe geographically was probably the least known. Morocco was a nation yet to emerge from the Middle Aged, violent and primitive, a place ruled by local warlords out of mud castles, and swept by religious fanaticism. To strike out from Tangiers was to enter a time capsule- emperors, slaves, harems, fortified towns, filth, superstition, blood feuds, and barbarism. Yet in the mad scramble for African colonies, backward and poverty-stricken Morocco had one great attraction: it was available. In 1903, with the posting to Africa of one of the oddest of all French military figures, General Hubert Lyautey, France undertook to change this state of affairs, and by the time World War I broke out the conquest was virtually complete. This book tells the story of France's last great colonial adventure The Conquest of Morocco tells the story of France's last great colonial adventure. At the turn of the 20th century, Morocco was a nation yet to emerge from the Middle Ages, ruled by local warlords & riven by religious fanaticism. But in the mad scramble for African colonies, Morocco had one great attraction for the Europeans: it was available. In 1903, France undertook to conquer the exotic & backward country. By the time WWI broke out the conquest was virtually complete. Based on extensive original research, The Conquest of Morocco is a splendid work of popular history. The road to Zousfana Europeans in Africa The country Fez Taghit --The call The Rogui El Raisuni The Lyautey method 1905 : the Coup de Tanger Casablanca The Chaouia Campaign The Beni Snassen and Bou Denib A new sultan The first siege of Fez The rescue The massacre The second siege of Fez Marrakech The Zaer Consolidation and defeat Epilogue Douglas Porch. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 317-320.