In 1955 sultan Mohammed V negotiated the gradual restoration of Moroccan independence. The sultan agreed to institute reforms that would transform Morocco into a constitutional monarchy with a democratic form of government. On March 2nd, 1956 Morocco got independence from France. One month later, on April 7th, 1956 Spain accepted also the independence.

In the months that followed, Mohammed V built a modern governmental structure under a constitutional monarchy in which the sultan would exercise an active political role. He acted cautiously, having no intention of permitting radical elements in the nationalist movement to overthrow the established order. He was also intent on preventing the Istiqlal party, which has had a great influence on the process of independence, from consolidating its control and establishing a single-party state. In August 1957, Mohammed V assumed the title of king.

Following his death in 1961, his 31-year-old son Mulay Hassan assumed power as King Hassan II. Although a new constitution was accepted in 1962, the king remained the central figure in the executive branch of the government. But for the first time legislative power was vested in a bicameral parliament, and an independent judiciary was guaranteed.

Because of high international pressure Spain got its troops out of the Western Sahara region in 1975. Morocco and Mauritania proclaimed the territory for them. In 1979 Morocco annexed the entire territory and in 1985 built a 2,500-kilometer sand berm around three-quarters of it. A referendum, originally scheduled for 1992, foresaw giving the local population the option between independence or affirming integration with Morocco, but it quickly stalled. Till today, negotiations of the United Nations haven't resulted in any substantive action.

Through the force of his strong personality, the legacy of the monarchy, and the application of political repression, King Hassan II. succeeded in asserting his authority and controlling the forces threatening the existing social order. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s culminated in the constitutional reform of 1996, which created a new bicameral legislature with expanded, although still limited, powers. Elections for the Chamber of Representatives were held in 1997.

In July 1999, King Hassan died and was succeeded by his son Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed, who assumed the title of Mohammed VI. In September 2002, new legislative elections were held. International observers regarded the elections as free and fair, noting the lack of irregularities that had plagued the 1997 elections.

Internationally Morocco has strong ties to the West and was granted major non-NATO ally status in 2004. Morocco was one of the first Arab and Islamic states to denounce the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. In May 2003 Islamist suicide bombers simultaneously struck a series of sites in Casablanca, killing 45 and injuring more than 100 others. In March and April 2007 several other suicide bombers blew themselves up and killed at least one person.