Le Maroc en Méditerranée occidentale Des disputes à la "rationalité" coloniale du XVIIe au XXe siècle

Abstract

The Western Mediterranean sea has always been at the heart of European rivalries. Algeciras Conference was an illustration. As an example of "scientific and modern method" colonization, Morocco has never been spared from by those threats. It is here that the experts of the colonial development, rationality enthusiasts, like Lyautey, have put into practice the formula that "thought and action constantly controls each other". The logic of metropolitan urbanization would then be put to the test before the realities of traditional Moroccan dress. The French colonial authorities needed new living and working settings, and vowed to work with "Negro villages" in Morocco. The Moroccan society had now to readjust to a colonial context that worked hard to defend a nation which took a dreadful bettering amidst harsh European rivalries but alsó the satisfaction of the needs of a greedy and insatiable Francé. In the fali of 1903, Lyautey was already tasked with organizing the famous coverage area in southern Oran. Early in 1912, Marshal Lyautey clung to take the multiple challenges posed by Morocco that was turnéd into a protectorate country because of its determined and committed personal desire. This article discusses, on the one hand, the Western frantic disputes and rivalries to own Morocco. On the other hand, the paper attempts to examine the typical colonial development policy through a critical and analytical review of administrative documents produced by and under the leadership of Lyautey. Indeed, the latter bequeathed to us a rich correspondence that captures the historical, economic, social realities of Morocco, a strongly disputed realm by the European powers. This epistolary documentation is essential and rich for any histórián who wishes to revive the atmosphere of the international relations on the western portion of the Mediterranean Sea.