This treaty opened Moroccan trade to British interests, abolished the Makhzen monopoly, and set a precedent shaping Morocco's path toward European commercial penetration.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 9 December 1856
- Number of general articles
- 38
- Number of commerce articles
- 8
- Customs tariff set by Article 6
- 10%
- British signatory
- John Hay Drummond Hay
- Moroccan signatory
- Muhammad al-Khatib
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Lengthy negotiations between British representative John Hay Drummond Hay and Moroccan representative Muhammad al-Khatib, acting on behalf of Queen Victoria and Sultan Abd al-Rahman, created the conditions for a formal bilateral agreement that would regulate trade and consular relations between the two countries.
The Anglo-Moroccan Treaty of 1856 was signed in Tangier on 9 December 1856. It comprised two texts: a general treaty of 38 articles governing consular status, privileges, and freedom of movement for British subjects, and a commercial treaty of 8 articles setting customs tariffs at 10% and abolishing the Makhzen trade monopoly.
The treaty prolonged Morocco's formal independence while granting Britain substantial commercial advantages. By abolishing the Makhzen monopoly and fixing tariffs, it definitively opened Moroccan markets to British trade and set a precedent for subsequent European commercial and diplomatic encroachments on Moroccan sovereignty.
Political Outcome
Treaty signed; Moroccan trade opened to Britain, Makhzen monopoly abolished, customs tariff fixed at 10%, and consular privileges for British subjects established.
Morocco maintained a trade monopoly (Makhzen) with restricted foreign commercial access
Morocco's trade monopoly abolished; British commercial interests granted open access under fixed 10% tariffs