Morocco, a North African country, was an independent sultanate until 1912 when it was divided between a French protectorate, a Spanish protectorate and an international zone of Tangier. Demands for independence grew and rebels led by Abd-el-Krim attacked Spanish and French divisions in the 1920s.

On 8th November 1942, the US Army, under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, invaded Morocco as part of Operation Torch.

In 1944 those seeking independence established the Istiqlal Party was formed and demanded the end of the French protectorate. This was rejected but in 1948 the French government agreed that consultative committees could be formed.