The Moroccan Wars of Expansion {Part 1}

{North-West Africa; Circa 1747}

While the Austrian War of Succession was wrapping up, trade was starting to increase, especially catching up with the newly established American and British trade in the Ivory Coast. This profited much of the tribesmen and helped fund rebuilding in the former Fulani state, the Isowo Isokan Their influence reaching the border of Morocco, they were the 1700s equivalent of Mansa Musa's empire. In 1747 much had been restored in terms of the order in the region of the ivory states. Recovering from the combination of a civil war and lack of trade from Europe due to the War of Austrian Succession.

Isowo Isokan, 'The Trade Union', had a relatively valuable part in Africa, being the second nation in Africa that America had formed relations with, the first being Morocco which had recognized its independence from the get-go. Due to this, it was getting wealthy, and it's influence increased loyalty, it provided a good source of progress to the Ivory Coast mainly due to it's progressive economic and bartering systems. Rightfully receiving the nickname of Venice of Africa.

This did not sit well with Morocco, itself had just got out of a lengthy war of succession nearly two decades prior. Morocco hadn't had a chance to truly prove their superiority. Their connectivity with the events in Europe presented a wonderful chance for this. They started a Trade War on the Isowo Isokan. Blockading all trade from the Isowo going through the Moroccan sphere of influence. Moving troops south into the unoccupied tribal regions of the Sahara in order to block  Isowan trade from preventing Moroccan trade. 

This brought up a problem for the Isowo; ever since the civil war ended they hadn't had to mobilize any major forces, instead of using the wealth of their tradesmen to bribe tribes into uniting with the Isowo. The only navy that the Isowo owned were 4 shipwrecked European Sloops that had been refurbished. 

The Trade Council called into session, while the Moroccans didn't stand a direct threat to their country nor their overall trade, they were encroaching on their Western and non-union trading. Before then, the trade council agreed that the only military would be each tribe/communities own militias that would be used in case of emergencies. Now they had to mobilize these proto-minutemen, and seeing as how they had just gotten out of a war, the Tribe leaders weren't certainly enthusiastic of that idea, this was certainly not an emergency according to the vast majority. And so the trade war carried on.

By the beginning of 1748, Moroccan expansion had taken an extent that was unprecedented by the Isowo, due to 'assimilation' of unorganized tribes. They were becoming a clear threat to the region. Yet showed no sign of violent hostility towards any of the Federations or Trade states it had bordered.

{North-West Africa; Circa January 1748}

This changed Morocco declared war on the Imamate of Futa Jallon bordering Morocco to the South-West, nicknamed the gate to the Ivory Coast {Light Purple on the very left on the Map}.

The 'Black Cavalry' - Mirza Cousineau; 1792 {Oil Painting}

Futa Jallon stood no chance. Morocco - who had spent the previous decade Westernizing their military, in accordance to European standards - easily set a blockade on the outward trade, further invading the country. Little to no resistance due to how minuscule the army and use of firepower was by Futa Jallon. Battles turned into Massacres, the armies Futa Jallon did have were blindly shot down by the organized and disciplined Moroccan invasion force.


Within a month, Futa Jallon surrendered. Morocco, however, would not cease, this is simply the start of their campaign.