Nile Valley Flashcards
(8 cards)
Reasons for British Intervention of Egypt 1882 strategic + Prestige
Scramble to Africa - the crumbling of the Ottomans meant that other European powers could claim Egypt
Wanted to protect the Suez Canal and their trade routes
Prestige after the Indian rebellion could not back down from the arabi Pasha
Reasons for British Intervention of Egypt 1882 economic
Protection of Suez
80% of Indian exports went to Britain
Protection of Gladstone’s shares in Egyptian loans 40%, Disraeli Brough the Khadeive’s 45% shares in the Suez
Bond Holders had money placed in Egyptian potential
Why and how was Egypt further controlled by Britain after 1882?
1882 - Egypt became a veiled protectorate - Technically remained under the Ottoman and the Khedives British advisors
1883 - Arrival of Evelyn baring/lord cromer the consul general who made agriculture, infrastructure and institution
1883 - Rise of islamic nationalism and Mahdi forces in Sudan
Fall of liberal party and the new government under salisbury meant he wanted to protect Britains interests in the region and undermine the French
How successful were Baring’s reforms of Egypt?
Under Baring, Egypt was able to pay half it’s debt in tax alone
Promoted Christian reforms - abolishing slaves and forced labour, regulated alcohol and gambling houses
National bank and post office
Baring unsuccseful reforms
Expansion of land for agriculture led to disease
Reforms did not benefit peasants
Racist policies - believed Egypt was halfway from being civilised and christian vs outdated islamic
Why were the British drawn further into the Nile Valley (Sudan)?
The Mahdi campaigns were unsuccessful in 1833
Gordon was sent to launch an evacuation but denied his orders and claimed Sudan to be under the influence of Britain
Salisbury was forced to launch a campaign into Sudan to protect the nile 1884
Impact of Kitchener
appointed head of Egyptian army 1896 Avenged Gordon’s murder and a victory against the mahdi
Sudanese had a lack of updated weapons British technology MORE significant (underlying - Kitchener only able to plan so well because of British technological advances in infrastructure and military arms).
