XVIIIᵉ siècle – XVIIIᵉ siècle
Morocco
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The Moroccan monarchy under Sīdī Muhammad ibn ʿAbdallah, known as Muhammad III, experienced renewed political consolidation and commercial development toward the end of the eighteenth century. The ruler strengthened royal authority, modernized ports—especially Mogador, later Essaouira—and pursued diplomatic agreements with foreign powers. His reign is presented as a period of internal security, prosperity, and pragmatic negotiation, while religious brotherhoods declined and the ʿAlawite dynasty’s authority was reinforced.
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Le récit
After decades in which rival sons of Mawlāy Ismāʿīl struggled for power, Sīdī Muhammad ibn ʿAbdallah, or Muhammad III, came to the Moroccan throne toward the end of the eighteenth century. His accession marked a renewed effort to restore order and strengthen the monarchy. The kingdom’s political life was redirected toward consolidation rather than the repeated contests that had weakened government after Ismāʿīl’s death.
Muhammad III placed trade at the centre of his policy. He supported the modernization of Moroccan ports, with particular attention to Mogador, which thereafter became known as Essaouira. He also sponsored a reform programme for the Karāwiyyīn of Fez, linking commercial development with an effort to renew important religious and intellectual institutions.
In religious affairs, Muhammad III favoured what he regarded as the original purity of Islam and rejected the veneration of saints associated with maraboutism. His close relationship with the sharīf of Mecca, Sourour, restrained the extent to which he pursued reforms resembling Wahhābī ideology. During his reign and that of his son Mawlāy Sulaymān, the influence of religious brotherhoods nevertheless declined considerably.
Muhammad III concluded numerous agreements with foreign countries and recognized the independence of the United States of America. He also urged Louis XV to abolish slavery and supported the Ottoman Empire in its conflict with the Russian Empire. These initiatives reflected a diplomatic policy that sought to protect Morocco’s interests through negotiation and international engagement.
His military policy was restrained by comparison with the rulers who had preceded him. In 1767 he expelled the Portuguese from Mazagān, but he died suddenly while preparing to besiege Ceuta. His preference for dialogue did not exclude warfare, yet war was portrayed as an exceptional instrument used principally to liberate Mazagān.
XVIIIᵉ siècle – XVIIIᵉ siècle
Morocco
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Moroccan monarchy under Sīdī Muhammad ibn ʿAbdallah, known as Muhammad III, experienced renewed political consolidation and commercial development toward the end of the eighteenth century. The ruler strengthened royal authority, modernized ports—especially Mogador, later Essaouira—and pursued diplomatic agreements with foreign powers. His reign is presented as a period of internal security, prosperity, and pragmatic negotiation, while religious brotherhoods declined and the ʿAlawite dynasty’s authority was reinforced.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
After decades in which rival sons of Mawlāy Ismāʿīl struggled for power, Sīdī Muhammad ibn ʿAbdallah, or Muhammad III, came to the Moroccan throne toward the end of the eighteenth century. His accession marked a renewed effort to restore order and strengthen the monarchy. The kingdom’s political life was redirected toward consolidation rather than the repeated contests that had weakened government after Ismāʿīl’s death.
Muhammad III placed trade at the centre of his policy. He supported the modernization of Moroccan ports, with particular attention to Mogador, which thereafter became known as Essaouira. He also sponsored a reform programme for the Karāwiyyīn of Fez, linking commercial development with an effort to renew important religious and intellectual institutions.
In religious affairs, Muhammad III favoured what he regarded as the original purity of Islam and rejected the veneration of saints associated with maraboutism. His close relationship with the sharīf of Mecca, Sourour, restrained the extent to which he pursued reforms resembling Wahhābī ideology. During his reign and that of his son Mawlāy Sulaymān, the influence of religious brotherhoods nevertheless declined considerably.
Muhammad III concluded numerous agreements with foreign countries and recognized the independence of the United States of America. He also urged Louis XV to abolish slavery and supported the Ottoman Empire in its conflict with the Russian Empire. These initiatives reflected a diplomatic policy that sought to protect Morocco’s interests through negotiation and international engagement.
His military policy was restrained by comparison with the rulers who had preceded him. In 1767 he expelled the Portuguese from Mazagān, but he died suddenly while preparing to besiege Ceuta. His preference for dialogue did not exclude warfare, yet war was portrayed as an exceptional instrument used principally to liberate Mazagān.