A Fractured Kingdom
Three major forces vied for control, creating a complex political and economic landscape. The old Wattasid dynasty was fading, the new Saadian dynasty was rising on a wave of holy war, and the Portuguese clung to fortified coastal enclaves.
The Fading Wattasids
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Ruling from Fez, their power was crumbling due to an inability to repel foreign invaders. They controlled the north but were economically and militarily weak.
The Rising Saadians
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Emerging from the south, they championed a holy war (*jihad*) against the Portuguese, capturing Marrakesh and unifying the southern tribes with wealth from trans-Saharan trade.
The Portuguese Enclaves
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Fortified coastal cities like Mazagan functioned as military bases and trade hubs (*feitorias*), projecting Portuguese power and depending on local trade for survival.
The Economic Engines of War
The conflict was fueled by two different economic systems. The Saadians' control of high-value trade gave them the financial power to challenge the agrarian-based Wattasids and the Portuguese.
This chart illustrates the estimated economic composition of the rival Moroccan dynasties. The Saadians' access to high-value trade goods like gold and salt gave them a significant advantage over the agriculture-dependent Wattasids.
A Day at the Souk
In a frontier market near Mazagan, a vibrant mix of goods could be found. Stalls overflowed with local produce, artisan crafts, and precious commodities from the far-reaching caravan routes.
The bar chart shows the variety of goods available. While daily life depended on local agriculture and crafts, high-value trade goods like Saharan salt and southern dates were crucial to the wider economy.
The Currency of Conflict
There was no single currency. The political divisions created a chaotic monetary environment where multiple coinages circulated, making barter common and money-changers essential.
This bubble chart represents the co-circulation of different currencies. The size of the bubble indicates its primary sphere of influence. In frontier zones like Doukkala, all these coins might be present, leading to complex exchanges.
Uneasy Commerce at the Fortress Gates
Despite the official state of war, a pragmatic and continuous trade existed between Moroccans and the Portuguese at Mazagan. This created a complex "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)
💣 Gunpowder (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 of *jihad*. Perception depended entirely on the observer's allegiance.