As their part of the Entente Cordiale bargain, the British recognized that France had a special interest in Morocco. Morocco was still an independent state, badly ruled by a Sultan. Its position, with the port of Tangier controlling the entrance to the Mediterranean, gave it considerable strategic importance.
However,
the Sultan was unable to control his subjects. At any time, it was feared he
might be overthrown, plunging the country into confusion and endangering
European interest in the country. The French coveted Morocco, since it would
extend their control across the whole of the north west coast of Africa.
However,
Germany was not prepared to let this go unchallenged. The Kaiser deliberately called
at tangier on his Mediterranean cruise in 1905. He made a triumphant journey
through the street of the city and, in a speech at the German Legation, told
the waiting diplomatic.
The Algeciras Conference.
The German
suggested that a conference be held to resolve the Moroccan problem. They hoped
to isolate the French and disturb the Entente Cordiale between Britain and
France. The conference met at Algeciras in 1906, and agreed that a joint French
and Spain force should be sent to Morocco to police the country and provide
stability. France was supported by Britain, Spain, the United States, Russia
and Italy but opposed by Germany. However, the conferences confirm Morocco’s independence,
so the French were not permitted to take it over yet. But policing the country
did mean they were one stop nearer a French protectorate.
The Germans send a gunboat to
Agadir.
The
situation changed in 1911, when the French Government sent troops to occupy
Fez, the Moroccan capital, after rebel forces threatened to occupy the city. The
French said their 20,000 soldiers had been sent to protect foreign nationals.
The Kaiser retaliated by sending the gunboat Panther to Agadir to protect
German citizens in Morocco. These moves by the Great Powers alarmed the world,
since the incident, if it got out of hand, would have led to war.
In fact,
the German sent the gunboat to Agadir, to strengthen their negotiations with
the French. The German were demanding compensation (the French Congo), as a
makeweight, to balance the colonial power in Africa, of the French were allowed
to take Morocco.
However,
the British thought the Germans were aiming to humiliate the French, their
Entente allies. They were annoyed that negotiation on the future of Morocco did
not include them. They even though the German might be wanting to establish a
naval base there.
A senior
British minister, David Lloyd George, warned the Germans that if peace could
only be preserved by surrendering Britain’s right to be heard in the matter,
“the I say emphatically that peace at that price would be humiliation
intolerable for a great country like ours to endure” This was a clear threat
and the Germans were furious. Both countries reviewed their military
preparedness. But, the Germans eventually backed down, since the French were
prepared to meet them halfway, giving them part of the French Congo in exchange
for the right to make Morocco a French protectorate.
Results of the Crisis.
1.Germany
recognized France’s interest in the area and the following year (1912) Morocco became
a French Protectorate.
2.One
again a major crisis had been settled by peacefully diplomacy.
3. The
crisis alerted the Great Powers to the likelihood that the next crisis be the
spark to ignite a world war.
4.It finally
convinced waverers in Britain, particularly Lloyd George, that German really
did intend to upset the balance of power in Europe.
5. I convinced
many German that Britain was their enemy and that war would eventually follow. The
Generals and admirals made their plans
Reviewed by Editors
on
November 08, 2021
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