Franco-Moroccan Wars

The Franco-Moroccan Wars were a series of major conflicts fought between the French colonial empire and the inhabitants of Morocco.

First Franco-Moroccan War

There are two main causes for the start of the war. The first entailed the people of Morocco having refused to recognize the French Empire's conquest of Algeria. The second entailed the Moroccans having provided refuge to an Algerian rebel leader. As a result of these actions, the French declared war on Morocco.

The first Franco-Morrocan War began on August 6, 1844. The French bombed the city of Tangiers and were engaged in combat for approximately eight days. The conflict ended on August 14, 1844 at the Battle of Isly, which took place in the north-eastern regions of Morocco. In that particular battle, the Algerians of Abd el Kader were defeated by the French imperial forces of Marshal Bugeaud.

In the aftermath of the war, the Moroccans signed the Treaty of Tangiers whereby they recognized French imperial sovereignty over Algeria.

econd Franco-Moroccan War

In 1911, Moroccan forces besieged the French-occupied city of Fez. Approximately one month later, French forces brought the siege to an end. On April 17, 1912, Moroccan infantrymen mutinied in the French garrison in Fez. The Moroccans were unable to take the city and were defeated by a French relief force. In late May 1912, Moroccan forces unsuccessfully attacked the enhanced French garrison at Fez. While the war progressed, France declared Morocco a French protectorate.

External links

* [http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/archives.gb/dossiers/140ministres.gb/monarjui/chrono.html Chronology: The July Monarchy 1830 - 1848]
* [http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/fax/france/ffrancemorocco1911.htm Armed Conflict Events Database: Franco-Moroccan War 1911 - 1912]