Like most imperializing countries, the Spanish and French wanted to colonize Morocco because they wanted power. Feelings of nationalism made people proud of all that their country had achieved. This motivated Spanish and French people to take over other countries to show their prestige and to gain more power (Imperialism, Regents Prep Global History). France had already taken control of Algeria, which borders Morocco, and wanted to take over Morocco as well. By imperializing Morocco, the French were able to protect French Algeria (Imperialism in North Africa: Introduction, Women in World History : MODULE 9). Other general motivations for imperializing that Spain, France, and most European nations felt were that they wanted to maintain a balance of power with each other. European countries were competitive and imperialized to keep themselves equal with each other (Imperialism, Regents Prep Global History). Another major motivation for why both of these countries wanted to colonize Morocco is for the abundance of natural resources available. Morocco's main natural resource was, and still is, phosphate. Other natural resources included iron ore, manganese, fish, zinc, and salt (Morocco, CIA). Furthermore, France and Spain's motivation for colonizing Morocco were based off of the three "Cs" of colonialism which were Christianity, the civilizing mission, and commerce. Religion served as motivation because the French and Spanish wanted to send missionaries to Morocco to convert the Muslims and Jews to Christianity (Imperialism in North Africa: Introduction, Women in World History : MODULE 9). In addition, the White Man's Burden was a concept where Europeans viewed themselves as better than the people they imperialized. The French and Spanish people saw themselves as superior. By colonizing other nations, they thought that they would be helping out the inferior people and making them civilized. Then, they wanted the opportunity to trade and do business with Morocco(Imperialism, Regents Prep Global History). All in all, Spain and France had multiple motivations for imperializing Morocco.
The far north of Morocco was under control of the Spanish Protectorate. Spain gains control over about one-tenth of Morocco. It's territory includes its enclaves, Melilla and Ceuta. Also, Spain had control over Ifni, in the South. The capital of the Spanish Protectorate was Tetouan (History of Morocco to the Present Day, Moroccansands.com; Ceuta and Melilla: The Last European Colonies in Africa, Examiner.com).
The French Protectorate consisted of a majority, about nine-tenths, of Morocco. France controlled the Moroccan land to the south of the Spanish Protectorate. The capital city of the French Protectorate was Rabat (History of Morocco to the Present Day, Moroccansands.com).