Morocco Keeps Its Independence in 1911-1912

CaliGuy

Banned
What if Morocco would have somehow had a different, stronger Sultan (or two) after 1894 and thus would have avoided becoming a French protectorate in 1911-1912 (or later, for that matter)?

How would a Morocco which retained its independence have developed?
 
Oddly enough but it might have led to a smaller Morrocco. No claims on the Weatern Sahara and it is possible that France would enforce the historic border of Morocco at the Draa River in the south. This could result in Algeria literally surrounding Morocco and having a coast on the Atlantic Ocean between the Draa River and the Western Sahara.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
Oddly enough but it might have led to a smaller Morrocco. No claims on the Weatern Sahara and it is possible that France would enforce the historic border of Morocco at the Draa River in the south. This could result in Algeria literally surrounding Morocco and having a coast on the Atlantic Ocean between the Draa River and the Western Sahara.
Very interesting! :)

Also, would having an Atlantic coast make Algeria somewhat more prosperous due to greater opportunities for trading with various countries?
 
Very interesting! :)

Also, would having an Atlantic coast make Algeria somewhat more prosperous due to greater opportunities for trading with various countries?

To be honest, I think that the lack of infrastructure could mean that Algeria is the one dealing with their own (smaller) Western Sahara issue. There are no major ports between the Draa and Western Shahra so I'm not sure if it would be much of a benefit in regards to trade, but if the Algerians did build a port and had a road leading to it I imagine it would lead to greater trade.
 
It might be tough going what with morocco being eyed by both French and Germans but if morocco can build up its infrastructure keep foreign influence to a minimum we chould possibly see morocco become the premier North African power and will have a better international reputation without the whole west Sahara is mine deal.
 
Better leadership is certainly a must. That allows a stronger relationship with the United States, which would be a very nice source of foreign investment and protection from Great Power shenanigans.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
Better leadership is certainly a must. That allows a stronger relationship with the United States, which would be a very nice source of foreign investment and protection from Great Power shenanigans.
Would Morocco actually be an attractive target to U.S. investors, though?
 

CaliGuy

Banned
It might be tough going what with morocco being eyed by both French and Germans but if morocco can build up its infrastructure keep foreign influence to a minimum we chould possibly see morocco become the premier North African power and will have a better international reputation without the whole west Sahara is mine deal.
Did Germany actually want Morocco, though? I thought that Germany only wanted to keep France out of Morocco and, when that didn't work out, to get some compensation for this elsewhere.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
To be honest, I think that the lack of infrastructure could mean that Algeria is the one dealing with their own (smaller) Western Sahara issue. There are no major ports between the Draa and Western Shahra so I'm not sure if it would be much of a benefit in regards to trade, but if the Algerians did build a port and had a road leading to it I imagine it would lead to greater trade.
OK; understood.
 
Would Morocco actually be an attractive target to U.S. investors, though?
Yes, actually. Morocco produces 75% of the world's mineral phosphates today, which are an important component in fertilizers. They also have other mineral resources like silver and lead, and a solid agricultural industry that IRL provided exports to France and is currently the largest source of marijuana for Europe.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
Yes, actually. Morocco produces 75% of the world's mineral phosphates today, which are an important component in fertilizers. They also have other mineral resources like silver and lead, and a solid agricultural industry that IRL provided exports to France and is currently the largest source of marijuana for Europe.
When were all of these natural resources discovered, though?
 
Agadir crisis-Wikipedia
First Moroccan crisis-Wikipedia
It's not that Germany wanted to make morocco a full German colony just put morocco under full and total German domination because of the minerals in the country as well as a counter weight against the entante cordial basically Germany wanted morocco to be there puppet state
 
I have toyed with the butterfly of Theodore Roosevelt running for a "second" term, thus he runs in 1908 rather than Taft, thus he is at the table for the 1911/12 crisis. My underdeveloped thinking sees he taking a more aggressive line to stuff the American nose into this tent. My thinking is that he pursues the usual "Free Trade" tact, America as neutral arbitrator line and thus keeps Morocco independent. I am under no illusions that the French are kicked out or Germany is not humiliated, but I think it has interesting ripples as a POD for this scenario. I have not thought out who runs in 1912 or if this "Crisis" boosts the Republican successor, if TR then pursues his "League of Peace" presaging the League of Nations, how Germany alters course with respect to American power and the potentially obvious Entente solidarity and so on.
 
Top