Who's Who: Colonizing Around Casablanca Quiz

Answer: Berbers

The Berbers, who had been living in the area around Casablanca since approximately 10,000 BC, are given credit for founding the city. Although the exact date of founding is uncertain, the Berbers named the city Anfa, which means "the top". Today Casablanca is the largest city in the Maghreb, a geographic region that spans North Africa from Morocco to, but not including, Egypt. Throughout history the area has been called the Barbary Coast, as well as Land of the Atlas, after the mountains in Morocco.

The region, mostly made up of the Sahara Desert, is still populated by groups of Berber communities today.

Answer: Carthage

Although Carthage is the best-known Phoenician colony, the truth is that they founded colonies all along the southern Mediterranean coast and beyond. Sometime in the 600s-500s BC, it is believed that Hanno the Navigator was the leader of an expedition arranged by Carthage that was to explore the western coast of Africa. Ancient writers differ on exactly where he sailed - Pliny the Elder believed Hanno circumnavigated Africa, while Arrian said that he only sailed 35 days from the Pillars of Hercules before running into problems - but historians do believe that several trading ports both on and west of the Strait of Gibraltar were established.

There is archaeological evidence that the Carthaginians used ancient Anfa, which is modern-day Casablanca, as a port.

Answer: Roman Empire

Anfa, the ancient name for Casablanca, was part of the Kingdom off Mauretania, which became a client state of Rome, after the Punic Wars and the fall of Carthage. During the reign of Augustus, the Romans took direct control of the area and used it as a commercial port.

There was an island nearby, Mogador Island, from which the Romans traded the special purple dye that was used to make the purple stripe on Senator's togas. In addition, it is believed that Anfa was used as a base by the Roman explorer, Juba II, for the travels that took him to the Canary Islands and Madeira. Anfa was also near the Roman city of Volubilis, from which the Romans received grain, olive oil, and animals for gladiatorial contests, and probably served as one of its ports as well. During the decline of the Roman Empire, Anfa was conquered by the Vandals.

Answer: Barghawata

After many attempts, the Barghawatas successfully rebelled against the Umayyad Caliphate and freed the area of their rule by 744. Their kingdom was comprised of a confederation of 29 Berber tribes known as the Masmuda Confederacy. Even though the Umayyads had been defeated, the Barghawatas continued to practice some of the Islam beliefs; their religion, however, is described as being a mixture of Islam, Berber religious beliefs, and astrology.

In 1068 the Barghawatas were replaced in what is present-day Morocco by the Almoravid, which is described as a Berber Muslim Dynasty that ruled the area for approximately 100 years.

Answer: Portugal

After the fall of the Marinid Dynasty, the port of Afna was taken by pirates and privateers. The Portuguese, whose ships were harassed by these people as they explored around Africa, assaulted the town in 1468; in 1515 they decided to use what remained of the city to build a military fort there.

It was during this time that the town that grew around the military fort was named "Casa Branca", or "white house". Hit by a devastating earthquake in 1755, the city was mostly abandoned by Portugal, who also suffered terrible destruction at the time.

Answer: Umayyad Caliphate

After the death of Mohammad in 632, Arab armies began a period of conquest that expanded into North Africa. Along with creating a large empire, they spread the Islamic religion. The second of the caliphates established after 632 was the Umayyad Caliphate.

At the peak of their power, their rule extended to the Maghreb, which included the city of Anfa to the west, and their rule also reached as far as Persia to the east, and included most of the Iberian Peninsula to the north. The indigenous Berbers in the Maghreb were forced to convert and serve in the army; however, they were not treated with respect, and attempted many rebellions before being successful in 744.

Answer: Marinid Dynasty

Moving into the Maghreb from modern-day Algeria, the Marinids were able to overthrow the Almoravid Dynasty. During this time, Anfa once again became an important commercial port. Their intention was to take over the area known today as the Strait of Gibraltar in order to control trade there.

It was during their rule that Spanish Christians tried unsuccessfully to gain control of Morocco; in fact, to solidify their control over the strait, the Marinids began to conquer nearby Spanish towns. The height of their power was during the reign of Abu al-Hasan 'Ali, who built a strong military.

After being overthrown by his son, however, the might of the Marinid Dynasty began to decline, with the ruling sultans losing their power to viziers. The dynasty came to an end after a successful revolt in 1465.

Answer: France

In the late 1700s Casablanca was rebuilt by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah of the Alaouite Dynasty, but by this time European powers, full into the Industrial Revolution, began to notice the importance of Morocco's location on the Strait of Gibralter. Britain began to trade in the area, but France took control of the port city and began sending colonists there. Why? They wanted to further protect their colony of Algeria, but they also liked the fertile land and resources they found in Morocco. Anti-French sentiment in Morocco lasted for decades before Morocco gained independence in 1956.

Answer: Alaouite Dynasty

The Alaouite Dynasty first seized control of Morocco in 1631. Interestingly, it is named for Ali, known as Ali ibn Abi Talib, who was one of Muhammed's son in laws, as well as his cousin. Shia Muslims believe that he was the rightful immediate ancestor to Muhammed.

His descendant, Sharif ibn Ali, founded the dynasty in Morocco in 1631; even though the dynasty continues to rule today, for many years until independence in 1956 it was a rule in name alone. When Moroccan independence was achieved from France, the title of Mohammed V was changed from sultan to king.

Answer: Spain

From 1580-1640, due to the death of the Portuguese King Sebastian I with no heirs, all of Portugal and its overseas possessions were ruled by the kings of Spain. During this time Portuguese citizens were able to keep their own laws, government officials, and currency.

However, the King of Spain (Philip II, Philip III, Philip IV) maintained the status of the country and its empire. It was during this time that "Casa Branca" became known as "Casa Blanca". After the Portuguese Restoration War, a new Portuguese dynasty was formed and the city returned to Portuguese control.