A Fractured Kingdom
In 1552, Morocco was not a unified state. It was a contested territory divided among three major powers, each with its own agenda and sphere of influence. This political fragmentation was the defining feature of the era and directly shaped the nation's economy and the lives of its people.
The Fading Wattasids
Ruling from Fez, the Wattasid dynasty was in terminal decline. Weakened by their failure to repel Portuguese encroachment, their authority had eroded, leaving them in control of only their northern heartlands.
The Rising Saadians
Emerging from the south, the Saadians championed a *jihad* against the occupiers. Having captured Marrakesh and Fez, they were on the verge of unifying Morocco under their charismatic leader, Muhammad al-Shaykh.
The Portuguese Enclaves
Portugal maintained heavily fortified coastal fortresses like Mazagan. These *presidios* were military and commercial outposts, projecting Christian power and depending on a tense, pragmatic trade with the Moroccan interior.
Economic Foundations of the Conflict
The struggle for Morocco was an economic war. The Saadians' control of high-value trade routes gave them the financial power to purchase modern weapons and overwhelm the agrarian-based Wattasids. This chart visualizes the fundamental economic disparity that decided the fate of the kingdom.
A Day at the Souk
The marketplace, or *souk*, was the heart of Moroccan life. In a frontier region like Doukkala, it was a vibrant space where local produce, artisan crafts, and goods from distant lands were exchanged. Click on the chart segments below to explore what was available.
Explore the Market
Select a category from the chart to see detailed examples of the goods available for purchase in a typical Doukkala market around 1552.
Coin of the Realm(s)
There was no single currency in 1552. The political divisions created a chaotic monetary environment where multiple coinages circulated. This instability made money-changers essential and reinforced the importance of barter in everyday transactions.
| Issuing Authority | Coin | Metal | Primary Circulation Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattasid Sultanate | *Dirham* (Square), *Falus* | Silver, Copper | Northern Morocco (Fez) |
| Saadian Sultanate | *Dirham* | Silver | Southern Morocco (Marrakesh) |
| Kingdom of Portugal | *Real*, *Cruzado* | Silver, Copper, Gold | Portuguese Enclaves (Mazagan) |
| Other | Spanish Coins | Various | Widespread in trade |
| Non-Currency | Barter / Commodity Money | N/A (e.g., Salt, Cloth) | Universal, especially in rural areas |
An Uneasy Commerce
Despite the official state of holy war, a pragmatic and continuous trade existed between Moroccans and the Portuguese at Mazagan. This created a "war economy" where the lines between patriot and collaborator were dangerously blurred.
Moroccan Offerings
Wheat & Barley
Horses & Livestock
Wool, Hides & Fish
Portuguese Goods
European Cloth
Metalware & Beads
Firearms (Clandestine)
The Collaborator Question
A Moroccan trading with the Portuguese could be seen as a pragmatic survivor, an opportunistic merchant, or a traitor to the Saadian cause. Perception depended entirely on the observer's allegiance in a kingdom without a single definition of loyalty.