About the Diplomatic Trip of King D. Fernando II of Portugal to Morocco in 1856

Abstract

This study was developed against the backdrop of the diplomatic relations between Portugal and Morocco, which have many points of history in common. Therefore, in the 19th century both countries suffered the collateral effects of the new World order, in both political, military and, particularly, diplomatic terms, since diplomacy - as a foreign policy instrument - occupied a decisive position in inter-state relations. The search for alliances, coalitions and political fronts characterised international relations in this century and, consequently, countries turned to diplomacy as a tool for defending national, bilateral or even international interests. This is the thesis of this study which is developed on the findings of the critical analysis of a valuable diplomatic document, the written account of the historic visit of the King of Portugal, D. Fernando II, to Morocco in 1856, by the Portuguese consul general in Tangiers, José Daniel Colaço.