Spanish African Colonial Empire

While the Spanish were excluded from establishing colonies in Africa based upon the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, Spain had lost their colonial empire in North and South America by the time of the Berlin Conference. Wishing to maintain a colonial presence, Spain partook in the Conference. Spain managed to acquire the regions of Madagascar and Morocco, the latter of which remained a protectorate. Spain also gained the region of Azawad, deemed to be too sparsely populated to be of concern to the other powers, to be administered from Morocco. Spain also gained Equatorial Guinea as a concession from Germany.

Though the protectorate status was granted to Spain by the European powers, the Merina Dynasty of Madagascar initially refused to sign a treaty formalizing the status. Spain invaded Madagascar, and though they were victorious, the Spanish-Havo War lasted almost 20 years and cost the lives of thousands. Spain was shown to be lacking in military capabilities, and the colonies were nearly revoked by the Conference. Though attempts to overthrow the monarchy were proposed, it was decided that the sovereign, Ranavalona III, would be forced to abdicate in favor of her 14 year old niece.

During the Great War, when Spain began to be on the defensive, Morocco rebelled against Spanish rule with the help of Algeria. Madagascar also openly rebelled, diverting Spanish forces away from Europe. Following the war, the Spanish monarchy was overthrown in favor of the Spanish Republic. Morocco and Madagascar gained their independence, while Equatorial Guinea was abosrbed by the German African Colonial Empire. formally ending the Spanish Empire.