[Imagination rules the world-N.B]

Why was the conference to discuss Morocco's future held in Spain(Algerciras)??Was it because this city is close to to Tanger?Is there another reason or just no reason at all??

[Mrs Faithorn]

I am not entirely confident that my answer is correct, but I think the Conference was held in Spain because at this point in time Spain was attempting to exert some influence in North Africa and to assert themselves amongst the other European powers who had 'scrambled for land' in Africa in the late C19th.

The Conference was held to mediate between France, Britain and Germany. I can only assume that Spain was acting as the mediator here and that Spain offered 'neutral' territory for the discussions to be held.

[Imagination rules the world-N.B]

So Spain wanted to remain neutral but at the same time benefit from the influences of the European countries on Africa??And did Spain later joined with the Triple Alliance or the Tripple Entente??

[Mr Field]

Spain remained officially neutral during all of the war. It did get involved to a limited extent to ensure the fair treatment of prisoners of war (looked after some Germany prisoners). They also vigorously protested against the German U-boat campaign which led to the large losses of Spanish shipping.

However, Spain was officially neutral. Their economy benefitted enormously too - while the other European nations were fighting, Spain's industrial production and exports rose considerably.

[Imagination rules the world-N.B]

Thanks

[Imagination rules the world-N.B]

Where there any relations between Morocco and Germany??Because if there weren't any why did WilhelmII made a speech there ??(I know that he wished to frustrate the French but what made him make a speech there in the first place??)

[Mrs Faithorn]

As I think you are already aware, Germany - under Willhelm's leadership - was keen to exert some sort of influence in Africa, but they had come rather later to the 'colonisation game' than countries such as Britain and France. This was mainly because Germany had only become a unified country in 1871.

France and Germany were both trying to gain commercial influence in Morocco prior to the Algerciras Conference and I think Willhelm's speech made in Tangiers in March 1905 was his attempt to show that Germany was prepared to fight against French influence in Morocco if necessary. Germany had already been - sometimes secretly - offering support to the Sultan of Morocco against French influence there so Willhelm's speech was not an 'out of the blue' thing at all

Unfortunately (for Willhelm) Germany itself was not yet prepared to go to war and this is why the Algeciras Conference was called - to reach some sort of peace agreement. I guess Willhelm hoped that this would come up with some sort of advantageous settlement for Germany - but, of course, he was greatly disappointed since Germany gained nothing from the agreements made.

The agreements made at the Conference averted war , but only served to make relations between France and Germany worse than they already were ... and thus is one of the steps on the way to WWI.

I hope this answers your question??

You may find this brief timeline of events covering 'Moroccan Crises 1903 - 1914 helpful:
http://cnparm.home.t...s/MorCrises.htm

[Imagination rules the world-N.B]

ok thanks the time line's great!!