From Division to Decision: Exploring the Role of Language and the Interplay between Arab and Berber Collective Identity in Post-Colonial Morocco Public
Al-Gazzali, Sahar (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Using historical and quantitative research, this study will discuss how French language acquisition in modern Morocco has impacted the concept of collective identity through language, social mobilization, and political ideology within Arab and Berber ethnic communities. This research predominantly compares colonial Morocco to post-colonial Morocco, focusing on various historical events that impacted the nation, leading to the majority of data and study focused between 1956 to 2011. Furthermore, this study will focus on Arab and Berber nationalism against Francophone culture and political identity. This will begin with an overlook and understanding of French colonialism within Morocco since France held control between 1907 to 1934 during a conquest period and from 1912 to 1956 as an official Protectorate. A historical overview of education within Morocco from the 20th century till now is also imperative to study how French became a language that Moroccans used as a door to the outside. Next, a linguistic study of French will be discussed as it gained more traction within various spheres of Moroccan society, such as education, politics, and even social class structures. Many scholars argue that linguistic unity equates to national unity. This leads to an analysis of how the role of the French language and culture paved the way for anticolonialist and pro-nationalist sentiments throughout Morocco after the end of the Protectorate period. The latter half of this paper will investigate how Morocco’s postcolonial self is still denigrated in Western society and divided based on class, political, and ethnic identity within Arab and Berber populations.
Survey data will be a primary source to establish causal links between collective identity and the relationships between Morocco’s social groups as the colonial period affected factors such as anticolonial resistance, ethnopluralism, urbanization, and economy. While these various social factors intermingle, political connections are a model for understanding the defining effects of nationalism and social strata. Concluding with nationalism instead of the Arab Spring protests throughout MENA, this study will end with a focus on combined nationalism of Arabs and Berbers against the Moroccan government.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Topic Background ……………………………………………………………………….. 1
Structure …………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Literature Review ………………………………………………………………………... 3
Important Individuals ……………………………………………………………………. 7
Key Terms and Phrases ………………………………………………………………….. 8
Chapter One: A Historical Overview of French Colonialism
Orientalism and Morocco (1896-1907) ………………………………………………... 10
Colonization and Conquest (1908-1934) ………………………………………………. 12
Protectorate Period and the Treaties (1912-1956) ……………………………………... 15
New Independence Period (1956-1975) ……………………………………………….. 18
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 20
Chapter Two: French Education in Morocco
Education in the Protectorate Period (1912-1956) …………………………………… 22
Languages in the Post-Colonial Moroccan Education System ………………………… 24
The Role of Language on Ethnic Identity ……………………………………………… 29
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………… 33
Chapter Three: Ethnicity and Class Structures in Moroccan Society
Class Structures and Collective Identity ……………………………………………….. 35
Diglossia and Linguistic Inequality ……………………………………………………. 39
Economics and Ethnic Inequality ……………………………………………………… 43
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 48
Chapter Four: Moroccan Politics and Ethnopluralism
Historical and Political Context ……………………………………………………… 50
Moroccan Politics and Structure Today ………………………………………………... 54
Ethnicity and Party Alignment …………………………………………………………. 61
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………... 66
Chapter Five: Expression of Anticolonialism and Nationalism in Post-Colonial Morocco
Rise of Anticolonialism and Arab Nationalism ………………………………………. 68
The Moroccan Arab Spring ……………………………………………………………. 72
A New Era of Identity ………………………………………………………………….. 75
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………... 78
Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………………… 86
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