The conference of Algeciras (or Algéciras, giving place to the agreements of Algésiras) - April 7th 1906 - the Morocco under the protection of European great powers placed (twelve of which the France, the the United Kingdom, the Germany, the Spain and the Italy), under cover of reform, modernity and internationalization of the Moroccan economy.

First Moroccan crisis (1905)

This conference was taken place after years of competitions (since the end of the 19th century) in connection with the Moroccan territory. In 1901, the assassination of an Oranian trader on the Riffian coast involves the intervention of the French Minister for the foreign affairs Delcassé. An agreement is concluded, which authorizes the France with " aider" Moroccan administration in the uncontrolled areas of Eastern Morocco. Benefitting from the agreement, the new general governor of the Algérie Jonnart orders to the colonel Lyautey, then person in charge of the south-Oranian, " pacifier" the border algéro-Morrocan woman. Since 1905, Lyautey does not hesitate any more to penetrate in Morocco, and launches long recognitions reaching the Moulouya.

However, the France is not the only one to be interested in the Morocco. The Spain, the England, and the Germany have also aimings on the Cherifien kingdom. While renonçant with very aimed on the Egypt, the France secures British neutrality. The Spain, which hopes much, temporizes and makes trail the negotiations in length. It is an error, because the Franco-British agreement of October 6th, 1904 leaves with the Spain only the adequate portion. Delcassé however thinks of having settled the Moroccan question. In 1905, the French Holy Rene Taillandier share with Fès to meet the sultan and to propose the assistance of military advisers to him and financial diplomat in order to restore the order in a kingdom which needs some well. Moulay Abd Al Aziz is not easily deceived: although interested by the proposals of great work and reforms proposed, it suspects well that the independence of its country will not be long in being called in question. Not being able more to rest on the England, it turns to the Germany, only able to thwart the French ambitions. March 31st, 1905, the emperor Guillaume II unloads with Tangier and makes a speech flamer. In front of concerns of the staff, the president of the French council Maurice Rouvier prefers to negotiate, and the Foreign Minister, Delcassé prefers to resign.

The conference

France and Germany are reflected agreement on the organization of an International Conference on the Morocco in front of being held with Algesiras. It gathers 12 European countries, but it is the US president Theodore Roosevelt which is selected like mediator. It is acted in fact of the first intervention of the United States in foreign politics on a world level, in total rupture with the Doctrine Monroe. The conference opens with Algesiras on January 16th, 1906. The Germany obtains a right to watch on the Moroccan businesses. However France and Spain acquire a right of interference in the Moroccan businesses, because of the interests binding these regions (final Act of the Conference of Algeciras, April 7th, 1906). Concretely, these two countries obtain the police force of the ports and the right to create an international bank of state.

Consequences

Thereafter, the Germany tried, on its side, to preserve its interests in Morocco. However, it gave up its ambitions in November 1911 when France yielded some territories with the to him Congo in exchange of its agreement to the installation of a French protectorate in Morocco.

The European economic penetration intensified so much so that the sultan Moulay Hafid, brother of Moulay Abd el-Aziz, is constrained to sign, the March 30th 1912, the treaty of Protectorat which is the convention of Fès. Spain thus acquired an influence in North and in the South of Morocco, France in central area of the country mainly, and the town of Tangier was declared like international city . Thus, in Morocco under protectorate, the French general Lyautey was charged to direct the foreign affairs, to control the defense of the country, and to initiate interior reforms.

Later, in 1918, just after the war, a conference with Rabat took place. Authorizing British protectorate to occupy the almost-island. Dissatisfied Morocco and Spain declared very a small war (the only victims were archeologists of the Roman city of Volubilis).

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