Crisis of Tangier.

 Crisis of Tangier.


Moorish café in Tangier in the nineteenth century (Marià Fortuny, 1868)
In 1904, an agreement between the partners of the Entente Cordiale, France and the United Kingdom, leaves France Morocco as a zone of influence, the United Kingdom focusing on Egypt, northern Morocco is granted to Spain. Through this agreement, France has freedom to act in Morocco in exchange, she grants Britain the right to establish its authority over Egypt when France retained strong economic and financial position, including Chairman of the Suez Canal Company. A similar agreement was signed with Italy in 1902, which granted total freedom of action to the Italians in Libya in exchange for their disinterest in Morocco. Emperor Wilhelm II and Chancellor Bülow protest against France's ambitions in Morocco. According to the new doctrine Weltpolitik, Germany wants its share of colonial conquests.
March 31, 1905, in order to prevent the domination of France over Morocco, Wilhelm II arrives theatrically in Tangier, through the town on horseback, at the head of an imposing procession goes to meet the Sultan Abd al-Aziz to ensure support and inform him of his disagreement with the rights granted to France in Morocco. He is ready to go to war if France does not give up his ambitions in Morocco. Sultan Abd el-Aziz impressed by this speech decides to refuse all reforms advocated by Ambassador Eugène Regnault.
France's reluctance, but feeling no ready for war, accepts the request for reconciliation of Germany. This "coup de Tanger" causes a surge germanophobie in France and the resignation of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theophile Delcasse.

Tangier Crisis

Tangier Crisis

Morocco was the last independent nation in the northern half of Africa. On May 18th, a wealthy American retiree and his English stepson were kidnapped by forces opposed to the Sultan of Morocco. The incident began a scramble among the European powers to gain control over the country. France laid the first claim. In a surprise move, the Germans opposed the French claim. On March 31, the German Kaiser made a visit to Tangiers and in a hasty speech at the dock, stated that Germany continued to recognize the Sultan as the independent ruler of Morocco. The crisis began and fears of imminent war spread. The crisis was defused at the Algeciras Conference convened in January 1906.



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Powers in the presence

Powers in the presence

Map of Barbary in 1843 (northern part of the Maghreb) according to the geographer Alexandre Vuillemin
During the nineteenth century, European colonial powers trying to establish their influence in North Africa. During the conquest of Algeria, France, Morocco obtains a promise of neutrality (1832). But in 1839, the Sultan Abd al-Rahman supports the efforts of the Algerian emir Abd el-Kader, the Algerian conflict lies in the Moroccan provinces. The Moroccan army is defeated by the French troops of Marshal Bugeaud at Isly August 17, 1844. The Treaty of Tangier, September 10, 1844, outlaws Abd el-Kader and defines the border between the two countries.
The UK is seeking to increase its economic power and signs in 1856, a commercial treaty very advantage. Spain pushes his desire to recapture. Responding to the success of colonization carried out by France, it takes possession of the islands Jaafarines, Mediterranean island in May 1848. It starts and wins the war Tetouan 1859-186066. This defeat in Morocco imposes heavy casualties and a large war indemnity, aggravating an already bad economic situation-in-point.
France, meanwhile, eager to be in North Africa sign a homogeneous territory in 1863, a French-Moroccan. Benefits granted to France and the UK are extended to all European countries at the Madrid Conference (1880).
Sultan Moulay Hassan to lead the country during this period (1873 - 1894) attempts to modernize and plays on the European rivalries to maintain its independence. But at his death, and even the death of the Regent Grand Vizier Ahmed ben Moussa said "Ba Ahmad" in 1900, the colonial maneuvers started again on Morocco. France in particular and includes land occupied Eastern Moroccan its departments of Algeria between 1902 and 1904. Since it occupies and colonizes Algeria, France is concerned about the security of the borders between Algeria and Morocco and eyeing the Sultanate neighbor, one of the last independent African countries. Its merchants and contractors will be very active, especially in Casablanca, a port of recent creation.
Thus Lalla Maghnia and the central Sahara touching the border of Mali, Tuat, Tidikelt, Saoura, Bechar Jorf Torba, Abbadia Métarfa, Hassi Regel, N'khaila El Hamira, Kenadsa Timimoun and pass under French control.
The policy of Abd al-Aziz led the country to economic and financial crisis.