Algeciras Conference
The conference of Algeciras (Algeciras or giving rise to the agreements of Algeciras ) - April 7 1906 - product of a diplomatic confrontation of France and Germany, places Morocco under the protection of European powers (twelve of which France , the United Kingdom , the Germany , the Spain and Italy ), under the guise of reform, modernity and globalization of the Moroccan economy.
Summary |
First Moroccan Crisis (1905)
This conference took place after years of rivalry (since the late nineteenth century) on the Moroccan territory. In 1901, the murder of a trader on the coast of Oran Rif causes the intervention of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcasse. An agreement is reached, which allows France to "help" the Moroccan administration in uncontrolled areas of eastern Morocco. Taking advantage of the agreement, the new Governor General of Algeria Jonnart orders to Colonel Lyautey , then head south-Oran, to "pacify" the Moroccan-Algerian border. By 1905, Lyautey hesitate to enter in Morocco, and starts long acknowledgments reaching Moulouya.
Now, France is not alone interested in Morocco. The Spain , the UK , and Germany also have designs on the kingdom. By renouncing all referred to the Egyptian , the France ensure British neutrality. The Spanish , who many hoped, delayed and dragged out the negotiations in length. It is a mistake because the Franco-British agreement of October 6, 1904 leaves to Spain than the bare minimum. Delcasse think, however, have settled the question of Morocco. In 1905, the French diplomat Saint-Rene Taillandier part in Fez meet the Sultan and offer aid and military advisers to restore financial order in a realm that badly need. Abd al-Aziz is not fooled: although interested by proposals for major works and proposed reforms, he suspects that the independence of his country will soon be questioned. Can no longer rely on Britain , he turned to the Germany , the only way to thwart French ambitions. Germany worries parallel formation of the alliance between France and England, and seeks a way to shake it. On March 31, 1905, Emperor Wilhelm II arrives in Tangiers , on horseback through the city, met the Sultan Abd al-Aziz and pronounces an inflammatory speech. This is what is called the coup of Tangiers. Faced with the concerns of the staff, the president of the French Council Maurice Rouvier prefers to negotiate, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Delcasse resigns. But unlike that Germany hoped Britain supports France, and Germany's allies show they have no intention of going to war. France and Germany agreed on organizing an international conference on Morocco to be held in Algeciras , six months later, which was a major loss of credibility for the Germans, who had a initially threatened to make war and now greatly diminished their claims Conference The conference brings together twelve European countries, but U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt who was chosen as mediator. This is actually the first intervention of U.S. foreign policy worldwide, with total rupture with the Monroe Doctrine. The conference opens at Algeciras January 16, 1906. A scrutiny is recognized to Germany on Moroccan affairs. However, France and Spain get special rights on Moroccan affairs, because of interest of these countries (Final Act of the Algeciras Conference, April 7, 1906). Specifically, these two countries are assigned the port police and the right to create a state bank internationally. Subsequently, the Germany tried, in turn, to protect its interests in Morocco. But after the failed coup of Agadir in July 1911 she gave up her ambitions in Morocco. France, in November 1911, agreed to cede territory to the Congo and Cameroon in exchange for his agreement to the establishment of a French protectorate over Morocco. European economic penetration intensified to the point that the Sultan Moulay Hafid , brother Moulay Abd al-Aziz was forced to sign the 30 March 1912 , the treaty of protectorate named "Convention of Fez. " Spain and gained influence in North and South of Morocco, France's central region mainly, and the city of Tangier was declared an international city. Thus, in Morocco a protectorate, the French General Lyautey was responsible for directing foreign affairs, control the defense of the country, and initiate internal reforms. Suites
Reference
Loading ...