The Moroccan Crisis 1905

What impact do you think this had on the alliances?? - which alliances became weaker as a result of this? Which alliances became stronger?

Remember: Weltpolitik is the Kaisers desire to become a major player in world affairs.

Moroccan Crisis 1905

Causes of this crisis:

·       Morocco is in North Africa and was NOT controlled by a European Power and France wanted it.

·       The Entente Cordiale meant that Britain wasn’t going oppose France in its attempt to gain Morocco

·       Germany had the the most powerful* army in the world and wanted WELTPOLITIK but didn’t have many colonies – they didn’t want France to get Morocco.


* Although Russia's army was much larger than the German army, the German army were more powerful and much better equipped than the Russians at this point in time. Thank you Mr Mohammed for pointing this out. :)

Events that took place:

·       In 1905 the Kaiser visited Tangier, a city in Morocco, riding on a white horse with a military band and Moroccan troops – trying to look ‘hard’.

·       He said Germany would support an independent Morocco, and he wanted an international conference to discuss this.

·       He wanted to try prevent France from getting Morocco and test how strong the Entente Cordiale was.

Results of this crisis:

·       A conference was held in Algericas in the south of Spain.

·       It was Germany, Morocco and Austria-Hungary vs Britain, Russia and France

·       Germany didn’t get what it wanted as Morocco was given to France and Spain.

·       Even worse, the Entente Cordiale was strengthened as Britain and France became worried about Germany.

·       No alliance between France and Britain was made but France was confident that Britain would now support it.

What impact do you think this had on the alliances?? - which alliances became weaker as a result of this? Which alliances became stronger?

Germany and Austria-Hungary became stronger, as Germany realised that Austria-Hungary had been the only country to support it at Algericas.
Britain and France became stronger as they both began to become very worried about Germany and this united them.
France then decided to use its influence to help relations between Russia and Britain.