The Annual Disaster: Causes and Consequences of the Rif War

The Colonial War in Morocco: The Annual Disaster

The Disaster of '98 marked the end of Spanish imperialism at a time when the imperialism of modern industrial capitalist powers was at its peak. Following the distribution of most of Africa, the territory of modern-day Morocco was one of the few regions left to be partitioned. This provoked major international tensions that contributed to the path leading to the First World War.

The Algeciras Conference and Rif Resistance

In 1906, world powers met at the Algeciras Conference, where they agreed to divide Morocco between France, who received the majority of the territory, and Spain, who took control of the mountainous northern region. Conflicts with the local tribes soon appeared. The Rif tribes banded together under the leadership of Abd-el-Krim. The Spanish army, poorly equipped and led, suffered major setbacks early on, with the Disaster of the Barranco del Lobo, near Melilla, serving as a tragic example.

Escalation and the 1921 Conflict

In 1912, France and Spain agreed on a new allocation of Morocco to better cope with the resistance of the Rif tribes. After World War I, operations resumed against the rebels led by Abd-el-Krim. General Berenguer led an ill-prepared and poorly equipped army, which relied on:

• The Regular Army
• Indigenous troops
• The Legion, founded by Franco and Millán-Astray, modeled after the French Foreign Legion

In the summer of 1921, Spanish troops embarked on an ill-planned action led by General Fernández Silvestre. Clashes with the Rif tribes ended in a chaotic withdrawal and the slaughter of Spanish troops. This was the Annual Disaster, which resulted in over thirteen thousand deaths, including General Fernández Silvestre.

Political Fallout and the Picasso Dossier

The Annual Disaster caused a profound shock and fueled public opposition to the war. Large protests erupted across the country, with Republicans and Socialists demanding the abandonment of Morocco. The pressure of public opinion led to the formation of a military commission to investigate the events, resulting in the Picasso Dossier, a report prepared by Major General Juan Picasso.

Despite obstacles from mining companies interested in Moroccan resources and senior government and army officials, the vast dossier provided evidence of:

• Irregularities
• Corruption
• Inefficiency in the Spanish army stationed in Africa

The file did not result in political or criminal accountability. Before the congressional committee could issue its opinion on October 1, 1923, General Miguel Primo de Rivera led a coup on September 13, establishing a military dictatorship.