The First Moroccan Crisis, the Algeciras Conference of 1906 and Its Geopolitical Effects

Abstract

At the beginning of the 20th century a new international crisis began in Europe. It was associated with disagreements between Germany and France over the future system of government in Morocco. France, with the support of its allies — Great Britain and Russia — hoped to establish its protectorate over this sultanate. This policy was strongly opposed by the German Empire, which began to threaten France with a new war. To resolve the disputed issues, at the request of Germany, the European powers and the United States agreed to convene an international conference in the Spanish city of Algeciras. In the conditions of the Russian-Japanese war, German diplomacy hoped to split the Entente with the help of its allies Italy and Austria-Hungary and also with the support of the United States, and thus prevent France from realizing its colonial ambitions in North Africa. However, German diplomacy in Algeciras was isolated and failed completely. Berlin's hopes for American support and cooperation with White House in Morocco failed, and even its ally Italy did not support the Germans. The failure of German diplomacy at this international conference seriously changed the geopolitical situation in Europe, strengthened the Entente and the Franco-Russian Alliance, weakened the Triple Alliance and further deteriorate German-American relations.