The Russian position in relation to the colonial seizure of France in Maghrib in XIX- beginning of XX century

In the work the reasons of formation of the Russian position in relation to the French colonial conquests in North' Africa in XIX the beginning of the 20th centuries are investigated. Consecutive consideration of sources, the course and consequences of the French penetration into Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco allows to define value of this region in the European policy during the specified period. The Russian political interest in the countries of the Maghreb has been connected with fierce fight of the European powers, first of all France, Great Britain and Germany for strengthening of the influence, and also Turkey for preservation of domination over Barbarian provinces. Russia, without having any claims to the Maghreb, nevertheless, has been forced to correct the policy taking into account a colonial factor which had notable consequences for all system of the international relations. The fundamental moment in definition of the Russian political pOsitions on colonial conquests of France in the Maghreb was the all-European factor, fight of powers within the Eastern Question. Besides the analysis of an official position of the government of the Russian Empire on the matter, in article reaction of the Russian public opinion to events in the Maghreb is considered. Work is based on archival sources documents of the Archive of foreign policy of the Russian Empire and publications of the Russian press of the 19th century.