Egypt Flashcards
(19 cards)
1
Q
What was Britain’s involvement in Egypt prior to 1882?
A
- Egypt was previously part of the Ottoman empire
- Ruled on the behalf of the Ottoman empire by a Khedive
- The collapse of the Ottoman empire allowed the Khedive to wield too much power, resulting in major overspending, increasing Egypt’s foreign debt to £100 million
- Britain and France acted as financial support to Egypt, hoping to stabilise Egypt’s economy to protect their investment
- To protect their investment, British and French imposed austerity measures that increased their influence
- This period is known as “duel control”
- Initial role was purely financial, political involvement was to secure financial stability
2
Q
What was the strategic value in Egypt?
A
- The Suez Canal dramatically reduced the journey time to India
- 80% of shipping through the canal was British
- In 1875, Benjamin Disraeli purchased the remaining 45% from the Khedive
- The risk of French dominance was an underline cause in British investment
3
Q
What was the trading value behind Egypt?
A
- Egypt was extremely lucrative for both imports and exports
- Britain purchased 80% of Egyptian export and provided 44% of Egyptian imports
- Egypt accounted for about 5% of all of Britain’s exports, this is significant in light of British global reach
4
Q
What was the British financial investment in Egypt?
A
- The fear of financial collapse in Egypt is reflected through British and French “duel policy”, where strict control was exerted onto Egypt in return for supporting the struggling Khedive
- 37% of Gladstone’s personal fortune was tied up in Egypt
5
Q
What was the significance of the Egyptian people?
A
- British intervention in Egypt was justified by the importance protecting the European people
- 1882 intervention in Alexandria was populated by 1/5 Europeans
- British wanted to avoid seeming shallow by stepping in to protect economic investments
6
Q
What was the significance of French refusal?
A
- Increased tensions resulted in the British and French submitting the Gambetta Note
- This was a declaration that the powers would intervene if they felt their investments were under threat
- It became clear that the French would not support the British in intervention
7
Q
What was the importance of the Suez Canal?
A
- Completed in 1869, the Suez Canal opened up trade links to China and India
- This created further financial incentives to maintain control
- The Suez Canal prompted further involvement of the European powers
- Britain wanted to ensure that the French did not gain too much control over the region
8
Q
What was the importance of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire?
A
- Britain’s relationship with Egypt should be viewed in the wider context of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire
- Egypt was a Vassal State of the Ottoman Empire run by a Khedive as a representative
- The collapse of the Ottoman Empire allows the Khedive to run Egypt autonomously
- This led to major borrowing and soon the Khedive was in debt, leading to French and British involvement
9
Q
What was the growth of Nationalism?
A
- In response to an increase in foreign intervention, there was a rise in Nationalism led by Arabi Pasha
- One of the rallying points of unrest was the instruction of “Duel Policy” to implement a series of austerity measures
- A major issue caused by this was a reduction in military spending
- Pasha launched a nationalist coup in 1879 and set up a new nationalist cabinet
- Pasha’s popularity concerned Britain who were worried about the volatile nature of a new government
10
Q
What was the role of Evelyn Baring?
A
- Believed passionately in Britain’s role in the world
- Sent to Egypt to reform the economy
- His views meant that his reforms went far beyond mere economic plans
- Genuine interest in the improvement of infrastructure in Egypt
- His reforms meant that British departure was more difficult and could stir hostilities towards Britain
11
Q
What were the successes of Baring?
A
- Economic reforms helped reduce Egypt’s insolvency, strict austerity measures helped gain solvency by 1887
- Baring stayed to help reform Egypt’s agriculture, Baring believed that the source of Egypt’s prosperity was improved agriculture
12
Q
What were the failures of Baring?
A
- Refused to reform unfair taxation system, this was a major source of resentment that led to lack of investments in agriculture
- Did not support education for the poorer classes, failed to fund secondary education and increased tuition fees
- Underestimated the growth of nationalism and believed that the population would be grateful for his reforms
13
Q
How did geopolitics contribute to the development in Egypt?
A
- Concern over the Irish Home rule meant there was no major consensus on the issues in Egypt
- Lord Salisbury realised that if the British withdrew from North Africa, the French would have an opportunity to gain control
- Salisbury struck a deal with the Ottoman Sultan whereby the British could re-enter if deemed necessary
- French and Russians threatened to invade if such deal came into fruition
14
Q
What was the role of Gordon in the development of Egypt?
A
- The Khedive of Egypt relied upon Britain as its “veiled protectorate”
- General Gordon had been appointed by the Khedive to end slavery in Sudan
- He had great influence in ending slavery
- This upset the slave traders who had belonged to a powerful ruling class
15
Q
What happened after Gordon’s death?
A
- Gordon’s death was met with public outrage
- Resulted in the British deposing the Mahdi, this caused a struggle for dominance as they delved deeper into the continent
- This was known as the “scramble for Africa”
- Gordon was an established national hero, respected for his efforts in the Crimean war and the rebellion in China
16
Q
What happened in Khartoum?
A
- Gordon’s work in Sudan to abolish slavery had a knock on effect
- This overturned the social structure and left a power vacuum
- In the absence of Gordon, the new Mahdi filled the role
- The Mahdi claimed that he was an agent of the Prophet Muhammed
- This was seen as dangerous as he was preaching a blend of Islamic Nationalism
- Feared that this nationalism could spread into Northern Egypt and reignite nationalist tensions
- Britain cut their losses and removed their presence from the Sudan
- Gordon chose to face the Mahdi at fort in Khartoum instead of organise a retreat
- Public pressure persuaded the prime minister to send a relief force to save Gordon
- The Mahdi forces stormed the castle and Gordon was killed
- British forces continued to withdraw from Sudan but the Mahdi was never forgiven
- General Kitchener was claimed to have wept, he swore to have his revenge during the battle of Omdurman
17
Q
Why did the British return to Africa?
A
- After the death of Gordon it was decided to abandon the Sudan, in 1896, new orders were given to secure the source of the Nile
- French and German expansion of influence made it important to secure the source of the Nile to protect the valuable trade route
- Mahdist forces were extending across the Sudan, if not prevented it could undermine British position
- The battle with the Italians at Adwa convinced the British that their position was already under threat
- General Kitchener was tasked with securing British interests against the Mahdi and the French
- Although highly professional, his radical approach suggested an underline personal vendetta to avenge General Gordon
18
Q
What happened at Fashoda?
A
- In 1890 the British declared the whole of the Nile Valley its “sphere of influence”
- Most nations accepted this apart from the French
- In 1898, British and French forces collided
- French arrived with a small force of 120 men led by Major Marchland
- Met by a force of 1500 British troops led by Kitchener, accompanied by 5 gunboats
- Kitchener had a letter from Lord Salisbury claiming dominion over the Nile valley
- Rather than engaging in military conflict, British and French forces relayed a telegram to their respective countries and awaited instructions
- The forces broke out in a party with the French supplying champagne and the British providing whisky and soda
- Eventually, the French ceded the territory; in part due to British naval supremacy, in part due to the British military strength
19
Q
What happened at Omdurman?
A
- Although the Mahdi had died a few years after Khartoum, his forces were spread far and wide
- Kitchener was initially tasked to retake Dongola, his success led the government to grant him permission to progress further into Sudan and take the Mahdist stronghold of Omdurman
- What occurred was one of the most unequal battles in history
- Mahdist forces suffered 10000 dead, 13000 prisoners and 500 wounded
- The British only suffered 47 dead and 382 wounded
- The British army was well trained and were using Egyptian troops
- Crucially the British had the maxim gun which was able to mow down the Dervish forces
- After the battle, the tomb of the Mahdi was opened and the head severed from the body
- This was controversial and Baring eventually ensured that the head was reburied
