The Rif War: Spain’s Struggle in Morocco
The Rif War: Spain’s Colonial Struggle in Morocco
Early Expansion and the Protectorate
Following the loss of its colonies, Spain sought expansion in Africa, targeting Morocco. Spain’s interests were threefold:
- Strategic: To prevent other Western powers, particularly France, from controlling Morocco’s fate.
- Economic: To exploit the Rif mountains’ mineral resources and invest in infrastructure projects.
- Political and Prestige: To regain lost prestige through African expansion, with the Church viewing it as an opportunity for evangelization.
Rivalries between France, Britain, and Germany, culminating in the Algeciras Conference and the Hispano-French Treaty, led to Morocco’s division into two protectorates. France received the larger, wealthier southern zone, while Spain received the smaller, poorer northern Rif region.
Spain’s control, however, faced resistance. The Rif rebels, including the Sultan himself, revolted against Spanish rule, engaging the Spanish army in a challenging guerrilla war. The difficult terrain highlighted Spain’s struggles, and indigenous leaders like Abd-el-Krim emerged.
Establishment of the Protectorate
Spain benefited from the rivalry between France and Germany. The Algeciras Conference of 1906 and the Hispano-French Treaty formalized the division of Morocco into two protectorates. Spain established a khalifa, a representative of the Sultan, and appointed a high commissioner to administer the northern protectorate.
However, Spain’s control was not easily established. The Rif tribes, including the Sultan, rebelled, engaging the Spanish army in guerrilla warfare. The challenging terrain exposed Spain’s military vulnerabilities, and indigenous leaders like Abd-el-Krim rose to prominence.
Spain’s Campaigns in the Rif
Spain’s occupation of the Rif was prolonged, costly, and marked by setbacks. Several campaigns unfolded:
- 1903-1910: Operations around Melilla focused on securing Spanish sovereignty.
- 1911-1912: Limited occupations resulted in the capture of Larache and Alcazarquivir.
- 1912-1927: Systematic occupation of the protectorate involved reorganizing the army with indigenous regulars and the Foreign Legion. The immediate objectives were capturing Tetuan, the protectorate’s capital, and Chefchaouen. The plan was to advance progressively from Melilla eastward and Ceuta westward to unite the controlled territories. However, the initial stages proved challenging. While General Berenguer achieved victories in the west, General Fernández Silvestre’s risky advance towards Alhucemas ended in defeat, followed by the fall of the Monte Arruit garrison.
Sociopolitical Implications
The Rif War had significant social, political, and economic consequences:
- Social and Political: The war’s financial burden and unpopularity undermined the army’s prestige. Protests and riots erupted (Tragic Week in Barcelona), and leftist parties and writers criticized the colonial nature of the conflict.
- Economic: The expected economic benefits failed to materialize. The region’s limited agricultural resources, difficult extraction conditions, and ongoing insecurity rendered investments unprofitable.
- Political: The military failures impacted the government, General Berenguer, and even King Alfonso XIII, who had encouraged General Silvestre. These events contributed to the rise of Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship.