Write an account of how events in Morocco became an international crisis in 1905 and
1906.
The Kaiser went to Morocco in 1905; at the time, this was a French territory. He delivered a
speech which promised support for the Sultan of Morocco and he spoke in favour about
independence for Morocco. Due to the fact that the Kaiser and Germany were trying to
build an empire in Africa, few people believed that he wanted to give Morocco
independence.
Many believed that the Kaiser wanted Morocco to build the German empire. Strategically,
governing Morocco would give Germany a strong position in the Mediterranean. This would
benefit the German navy, if Germany could own Morocco.
These events led to an international crisis because the French government was angry with
Germany and the Kaiser. The French saw this as a deliberate act of provocation and a
deliberate challenge to control Morocco. The French were supported by Britain because of
the Entente Cordiale. The Kaiser’s speech strengthened the Entente Cordiale against him.
Both France and Britain were angered by the Kaiser’s speech and they both felt he was
interfering in their international affairs.
In 1906, at the Algeciras conference, Britain and France challenged the Kaiser. At the
conference, the Kaiser wanted to talk about Morocco, but the British and French
government prevented him from doing this. This publicly humiliated the Kaiser and he felt
bitterness towards France and Britain. Furthermore, this led to a bigger crisis. Both sides felt
threatened and suspicious of each other. The Kaiser was angered by France and Britain’s
action against him. This made Germany more determined to build the German Empire in
Africa. Additionally, because he felt threatened, he wanted to build up military resources. As
a result of the crisis, Britain and France arranged the Triple Entente with Russia because
they felt threatened by Germany.
1906.
The Kaiser went to Morocco in 1905; at the time, this was a French territory. He delivered a
speech which promised support for the Sultan of Morocco and he spoke in favour about
independence for Morocco. Due to the fact that the Kaiser and Germany were trying to
build an empire in Africa, few people believed that he wanted to give Morocco
independence.
Many believed that the Kaiser wanted Morocco to build the German empire. Strategically,
governing Morocco would give Germany a strong position in the Mediterranean. This would
benefit the German navy, if Germany could own Morocco.
These events led to an international crisis because the French government was angry with
Germany and the Kaiser. The French saw this as a deliberate act of provocation and a
deliberate challenge to control Morocco. The French were supported by Britain because of
the Entente Cordiale. The Kaiser’s speech strengthened the Entente Cordiale against him.
Both France and Britain were angered by the Kaiser’s speech and they both felt he was
interfering in their international affairs.
In 1906, at the Algeciras conference, Britain and France challenged the Kaiser. At the
conference, the Kaiser wanted to talk about Morocco, but the British and French
government prevented him from doing this. This publicly humiliated the Kaiser and he felt
bitterness towards France and Britain. Furthermore, this led to a bigger crisis. Both sides felt
threatened and suspicious of each other. The Kaiser was angered by France and Britain’s
action against him. This made Germany more determined to build the German Empire in
Africa. Additionally, because he felt threatened, he wanted to build up military resources. As
a result of the crisis, Britain and France arranged the Triple Entente with Russia because
they felt threatened by Germany.
