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history context / origin / causes
After the defeat in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Spain experienced one of the bigest crises in its history due to the dissolution of its colonial empire.
In this context, King Alfonso XIII gave all his attention to Morocco, since he saw in the conquest of that territory the possibility of restoring the aspirations of greatness of the Hispanic Crown. -
start of the treaty
The Conference of Algeciras (1906) and the Treaty of Fez (1912) decreed the division of the sultanate of Morocco into two zones: the north, for Spain; and the south, for France. This division took into account the Spanish presence in the strongholds of North Africa, such as Ceuta and Melilla, which had belonged to the Crown since the 16th century. -
origin
In 1909, the Rif tribes attacked the Spanish workers in the Rif iron mines, near Melilla, which led to the intervention of the Spanish Army. -
development of the war
after the signing of the Treaty of Fez, the northern area of Morocco was awarded to Spain as a protectorate, while the southern area would be awarded to France, also as a protectorate. The beginning of the same was also the resistance of the Rif populations against the Spaniards, triggering a conflict that would last for years. -
development of the war
In 1921 the Spanish troops suffered a serious disaster in Annual, in addition to a rebellion led by the Rif leader Abd el-Krim. The Spanish withdrew to a few fortified positions while El-Krim went on to create an independent state that came to function as such, beyond paper: the Republic of the Rif. -
development of the war
The development of the confrontation and its end coincided with the dictatorship of General Primo de Rivera in Spain, who was in charge of the campaign from 1924 to 1927. In addition, after the Battle of Uarga (1925), the French intervened fully in the conflict and they established a joint collaboration with Spain that culminated in a landing in Alhucemas. -
finish
Hacia 1926 la zona había sido pacificada, rindiéndose Abd-el-Krim en julio de 1927 y obteniéndose la reconquista del territorio anteriormente perdido. -
consequences
The main consequences of the Rif war were the following:
The dissolution of the Republic of the Rif and the reestablishment of Franco-Spanish colonial domination.
The death of some 25,000 Spanish soldiers, 27,000 French and some 30,000 Rif people.
The capture of the Rif leader Abd el-Krim, who was deported by the French to the island of Réunion, in the Indian Ocean. -
more consecuences
More consecuences:
An important discomfort in Spanish society, due to forced recruitment, especially among the most humble sectors. and even this malaise was deepened by the disaster of annual
The aftermath caused by mustard gas bombings on the Moroccan civilian population. Among these consequences, respiratory diseases and various types of cancer stand out.