The Nile Valley 1882-98 Flashcards
(56 cards)
the suez canal 1869
· Britain worked for at least 75 years before 1869 to keep the French from dominating the Mediterranean.
· When the Suez Canal opened, Britain stood to benefit the most in terms of trade and protecting the empire
· It was therefore vital that the Suez canal remained open for use and therefore that there was s table and reasonably pro-British government in Egypt.
congress of vienna
European meetings to agree new boundaries following the collapse of Napoleonic France and agree long term peace
egypt as a part of the ottoman empire
The ruling governor of Egypt claimed to be the khedive of Egypt
In 1867 the khedive, Ismail Pasha was recognized by the ottoman empire. (before course)
Khedive Ismail bankrupted Egypt in the1870’s and was forced to turn to British and French creditors. E.g. Rothchilds.
khedive ismail pasha handling of the economy
- Khedive Ismail Pasha had relied on English and French investment, mainly in the form of loans, from the 1850s.
- The foreign debt of Egypt increased from £3m to £100m and the economy was bankrupt by 1875-76
british reaction to the bad handling of the economy by pasha
- Britain and France put a system of Dual Control in place:
- Forced Khedive Ismail Pasha to introduce financial reforms
- Reduced interest on foreign debts to 5%
- A British and French controller would manage the financial department of the Egyptian government
- An international commission called the Caisse de la Dette Publique would supervise Egypt’s actions.
- At the same time the number of European people living in Egypt increased dramatically
ismail pasha removal
- By 1879 the Ottoman Empire deposes Khedive Ismail Pasha in favour of his son Tewfik Pasha, the British had a strong influence in this decision – Khedive Tewfik Pasha is much more willing to compromise
the scramble for Africa
In 1879 only 10% of Africa had been directly colonised by European powers.
After 1880 the European powers saw Africa’s commercial and strategic value and sought to colonise the remaining 90%
Following the Berlin conference, Europe by 1900 had acquired 90% if lands in Africa. The scramble ended in British dominance.
reasons for british entering egypt
Growing sense of competitiveness with other imperial powers. They went into other territories that found ither empires threatening to scare them away.
Britin went into Egypt to stop French intervention in the rest of Africa. It was worried about French expansions. went into Sudan, Kenya and Uganda because its worried about other imperial powers; worried about Germany in Kenya. For the British it is necessary to occupy these territories to thwart the others.
british individuals investment in egypt
the british and french intervedntion in the economically bankrupt egypt had made it a source of huge foreign investment, notably briitsh
many mps and british bankers had financial interests in Egypt.
for example, PM gladstone had 37% of his investment portfolio in Egyptian shares.
4 MPs were bondholders in Egypts debts
colonial rivals that the british feared
by the 1880s, Britain’s status as the world’s strongest naval & colonial power was coming under threat.
1) Newly unified Germany (1871) had huge economic potential – under Bismarck Germany avoided challenging Britain directly, but had built a network of European alliances.
2) Russia – since defeat in the Crimean War (1856) Russia had been looking for a warm water port – Britain was determined to prevent them becoming a threat to India and the Middle East.
3) France – although Anglo-French relations were much improved since 1815, France remained Britain’s biggest colonial rival & was looking to build a Trans-Saharan railway.
4) Italy – with ambitions to be a great power, Italy was actively trying to acquire land in North Africa. Italy allied with Germany in the 1882 Triple Alliance
the growth of Egyptian nationalism 1970’s and early 80’s
- Originated in the Egyptian army c1879 with the purpose of eliminating or diminishing European control of Egypt
- A group of Egyptian colonels led by Colonel Arabi Pasha
- Support for this nationalist movement came from liberals, Muslim traditionalists and the peasantry.
- Tewfik Pasha becomes a puppet, as the nationalists take more control of the government
- In 1882 Arabi Pasha became Minister of War and one of his supporters became Prime Minister
why did the french withdraw from egypt
They were concerned about other European powers, Germany, Russia, Italy and Austria had all delivered notes to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire saying there should be no change of government in Egypt without their consent.
Gambetta (French PM) fell from power and was replaced by Charles de Freycinat who was less keen to intervene in Egypt than Gambetta had been.
However, they did not totally withdraw, they saw themselves as having strategic interests in North Africa an would challenge British dominance between 1882 and 1898 on several occasions
reasons why british invaded in 1882
economic - protect the suez canal and trade
fears of egyptian nationalism.
Baring, Gladstone, Lord Sailsbury
The weakness of Khedive Tewfiq Pasha, meant the British were concerned about maintaining Egypt.
The emergence of radical Islam in Sudan worried Britain
info on sir evelyn baring
- Family of Barings Bank
- Lord Cromer
- Arrived in 1877 as British Controller General
- Baring was made consul-general, “with a mandate for minor reforms and a prompt withdrawal of British troops”.
- Baring though advocated for a continued occupation of Egypt and disparaged Egyptian demands for independence
- He said “We need not enquire too closely what these people…think is in their own interests.. it should be decided, by the light of Western knowledge and experience what we think is best for the subject race”
lord salisbury
Conservative prime minister for 13 years in three different terms in the 1880’s and 90’s
he managed to steer British foreign policy successfully during the partition of Africa and during a period of intense international competition between great powers.
He famously said of British foreign policy in the 1860’s that ‘English policy is to float lazily downstream, occasionally putting out a diplomatic boathook to avoid collisions’ . - policy of ‘splendid isolationism’
He was prepared to sacrifice building projects in Egypt if he could protect British interests in Egypt.
what is a veiled protectorate
A protectorate is a territory given some local autonomy/independence; it has local rulers rather than a colonial governror. However, it is controlled by another state which offers it ‘protection’, usually in a mutual treaty.
politics that suggest veiled protectorate
In reality the British Consul-General had effective power.
Sir Evelyn Baring (Consul-General 1882–1907) appointed British Under-Secretaries to most Egyptian ministers.
The Granville Doctrine meant advice had to be followed.
Contrary to Dufferin’s suggestion of including Egyptians in government, over the years of occupation the numbers of Britons in government increased. By 1905 there were around 1,000 British officials in office. This increased British commitment to Egypt and the idea of a 5 year occupation was not administratively possible.
politics that suggest NOT a veiled protectoratge
Khedive Tewfiq Pasha (1882–92) consented to the unofficial British Protectorate.
He was nominally still head of Egypt’s government – he appointed all ministers.
All Egyptian ministers and officials wore the Ottoman fez – in theory they gave orders.
The Consul-General & British Under-Secretaries gave advice – not orders – to ministers.
Egypt appeared to have democracy.
On May 1, 1883, the Khedive set up two Houses of Parliament in Egypt: a Legislative Council and a General Assembly.
Very limited franchise – only Egyptian property owners had the vote
economy arguments for veiled protectorate
Baring introduced stringent financial controls & made cuts in public spending.
The British Under-secretary, Sir Edgar Vincent, had to work within the constraints of the international Caisse.
Of the £9 million loan from the French & British to Egypt (agreed at the 1885 London conference), £8 million was spent on stabilising the debt situation to ensure debt repayment, & £1 million on irrigation & draining canals.
He put off much needed land tax reforms.
economy arguments that egypt was NOT a veiled protectorate
Baring restored the government of Egypt to solvency by 1887. This avoided French involvement in Egyptian affairs.
arguments in terms of law and order for a veiled protectorate
Baring disbanded the Egyptian Army and reformed it, though on British lines, under British leadership.
He also disbanded & re-organised the Egyptian police force.
A British garrison was maintained in Cairo to keep order in the interim.
things that changed over time that led to the argument of a veiled protectorate
Officially Baring had a ‘rescue and retire’ mission.
If Egypt could be made stable the British would leave.
As well as economic and political reform, Baring made efforts to stamp out corruption and improve public works.
Markedly education was NOT significantly improved.
However Baring reasserted the Granville Doctrine and by 1899 had largely succeeded in persuading Abbas to support him publicly.
things that changed over time that led to the argument that there was NOT a veiled protectorate
Tewfiq Pasha died in Jan 1892, succeeded as Khedive by Abbas II.
Abbas resented the degree of British interference in Egypt.
He appointed French advisers who encouraged him to ignore British advice (e.g. his 1894 criticisms of the reformed army).
Secretly however Abbas created, supported and funded a new Egyptian nationalist movement led by Mustafa Kamil.
He funded an anti-British newspaper and a nationalist political party – the Umma Party.
By 1898 this nationalist movement was small, but growing.
barings attitudes to egypt
Shared the public-school background and views of many British imperialists
Convinced of the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon
Believed he knew what was best for the Egyptians
Thought that the future of Egypt rested on its agriculture.
