Le Petit Marocain

Le Petit Marocain was a French-language daily newspaper established in Casablanca in 1925, during the period when Morocco was administered under the French protectorate. It belonged to Mas Presse, a publishing company controlled by French nationals Pierre Mas and Yves Mas. The newspaper served as an important organ of the colonial press and addressed readers in the French political, administrative, commercial, and settler communities operating in Morocco. Its editorial position was described as ultra-colonialist. Rather than presenting itself as a politically neutral chronicle of Moroccan affairs, the paper actively promoted French colonial policies and defended the political interests of the protectorate. Its role illustrates how newspapers in colonial settings could function not only as news organizations but also as instruments of political advocacy and public influence. Le Petit Marocain supported the Vichy government during the Second World War and endorsed the deposition and exile of Sultan Mohammed V, positions that placed it firmly on the side of French colonial authority against Moroccan nationalist aspirations. The paper remained associated with the colonial order through the postwar period, even as Moroccan nationalism expanded and the political structure of the protectorate changed. Its history therefore overlaps with major questions in modern Moroccan political history: the authority of the French administration, the role of the sultan, the growth of anti-colonial movements, and the eventual consolidation of the Moroccan monarchy after independence. Le Petit Marocain ceased publication on 1 November 1972. On the same day, control of Mas Presse was transferred to Moulay Hafid Alaoui, a cousin of King Hassan II who was serving as minister of information. The newspaper was replaced by Le Matin, a daily intended to promote the image of the king and the monarchy. According to the referenced account, the new paper's purchase was made compulsory for all state administrations, giving the successor publication a direct institutional presence within the Moroccan state. As a newspaper title, Le Petit Marocain is now defunct. Its historical importance lies less in a continuing consumer brand than in its role as a representative publication of protectorate-era French colonial journalism and as the predecessor of Le Matin.

Le Petit Marocain was founded in 1925 in Casablanca, at a time when Morocco was governed under the French protectorate. It was published by Mas Presse, a company controlled by French nationals Pierre Mas and Yves Mas. The newspaper belonged to the French-language press environment that developed around the protectorate's administration, European settler population, commercial institutions, and political networks. The paper's editorial identity was explicitly colonialist. Its reporting and opinion supported French policy in Morocco and sought to reinforce the political legitimacy of the protectorate. This made it more than a general-interest daily: it was also a vehicle for defending the interests and assumptions of the colonial order. Its stance contrasted with the growth of Moroccan nationalist politics and with demands for greater sovereignty centered on Sultan Mohammed V. During the Second World War, Le Petit Marocain supported the Vichy government. It also supported the deposition and exile of Mohammed V, who was removed from Morocco by the French authorities in 1953. These positions associated the newspaper with the most reactionary elements of French colonial policy and made the publication an important example of the political role played by the colonial press. Morocco regained independence in 1956, but Le Petit Marocain continued to exist for a further period. The newspaper's later history unfolded in a transformed political environment in which the Moroccan monarchy was consolidating its authority and the former colonial press was being reorganized. The title ultimately ended its run on 1 November 1972. On that date, control of Mas Presse was transferred to Moulay Hafid Alaoui, a cousin of Hassan II and the minister of information at the time. Le Petit Marocain was replaced immediately by Le Matin. The successor daily was dedicated to promoting the king's image, marking a transition from a newspaper identified with French colonial advocacy to one associated with the post-independence monarchy. The referenced account states that purchase of Le Matin was compulsory for all state administrations, indicating the successor's intended institutional reach. Le Petit Marocain is therefore remembered as a predecessor of Le Matin and as a significant example of protectorate-era French-language journalism. Its legacy is closely tied to the history of colonial propaganda, wartime political alignment, the controversy surrounding Mohammed V's exile, and the later restructuring of Morocco's politically influential newspaper press.

1. 1972Publication ends and title is replaced

   Publication ends on 1 November 1972 after control of Mas Presse is transferred to Moulay Hafid Alaoui. Le Matin replaces the newspaper on the same day.

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2. 1925Foundation in Casablanca

   Le Petit Marocain is founded as a French-language daily in Casablanca during the French protectorate in Morocco.

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3. Colonial editorial alignment

   The newspaper develops an ultra-colonialist editorial position and actively promotes French colonial policy in Morocco.

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4. Support for Vichy and Mohammed V's removal

   During the Second World War and the later colonial crisis, the paper supports the Vichy government and the deposition and exile of Sultan Mohammed V.

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A French-language colonial daily positioned as an advocate for French rule and colonial policy in Morocco.

• Le Petit MarocainFrench-language daily newspaper1925

  The core and apparently only principal offering was the newspaper's daily French-language edition. It combined general news with political reporting and editorial advocacy focused on Morocco, French administration, and colonial affairs. Its importance came from its position within the protectorate-era press rather than from a broad portfolio of consumer products.

• 1972Replacement by Le MatinStrategy

  Mas Presse changed control in the political environment of Hassan II's Morocco, after the earlier colonial period had ended.

  What changed. Le Petit Marocain ceased publication on 1 November 1972 and was replaced immediately by Le Matin, a daily focused on promoting the king's image.

  Aftermath. The change ended the Le Petit Marocain title and established Le Matin as its successor. The referenced account says that state administrations were required to purchase the successor newspaper.

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• Ultra-colonialist editorial policy and support for VichyControversy

  Le Petit Marocain actively promoted French colonial policies, supported the Vichy government, and backed the deposition and exile of Mohammed V. These positions are central to the newspaper's controversial historical reputation.

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• 1972Le Petit Marocain is replaced by Le Matin

  Le Petit Marocain stopped publishing on 1 November 1972. Control of Mas Presse passed to Moulay Hafid Alaoui, and the title was replaced the same day by Le Matin, a daily associated with the promotion of King Hassan II's image.

  Leadership changeOther
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1. Le Petit Marocain
2. Digitized issues of Le Petit Marocain in Gallica