1.1: expansion in africa Flashcards
why did the British lose its American colonies
They lost their a
American colonies in 1783 due to disputes over taxes
what does the term ‘Swing to the East’ imply?
A shift in Britains imperial priorities focussing their political and economic interests in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
as British industrialisation progressed what did the British need to compliment this?
the sales market
why was the East valuable for Britain?
opened up prospect of further trade providing new routes inland and discovery of new materials and recourses
what materials did Britain rely on the East to help progress industrialisation
Iron, Coal, Timber
How did a cycle of dependency with the east begin?
Britain exploited African recourses, manufactured goods (textiles/weapons) nationally and sold them back to Africa
why was personal influence a motivating factor for expansion in Africa?
Merchant-imperialists capitalised on new commodities which gave them fame and fortune
what else stimulated interest in Africa?
political/government posts and explorers (Victorian age of discovery)
what were some of the strategic motivators in expanding into Africa?
coastal interests for trading ports (cape colony) and trading routes
why did moral principles lead to expansion?
Christians wanted to spread their faith and show the light to the heathen people of Africa
what was the Victorian imagination of Africa?
people viewed Africa as the ‘Dark Continent’ thus were interested in the perceived uncivilised culture African inhabitants possessed.
what years did the Berlin Conference take place?
1884-85
why were the British interested in Egypt
they had good quality cotton that was attractive to British companies who begun investing.
what percentage of Egypts imports were coming from Britain by 1870?
40%
when did Ismail Pasha become khedive?
1863
what were Ismail Pashas aims?
-to modernise Egypt
-establish a professional army
-extend Egyptian rule throughout Sudan
-irrigation of suez canal
what is the suez canal?
man made canal through Egypt connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula
why was the suez canal useful?
Cut British trade route to asia by 6000 miles shorter than that via the cape
why was the suez canal a threat to Britain?
the Cape was no longer the quickest trading route to the East therefore profits of British traders who operated warehouses to store goods reduced
How did the British gain initial control over the suez?
1875: Benjamin Disraeli bough £4 million worth of shares for the suez granting Britain greater control over the suez and greater income from shipping tariffs
when was Ismail Pasha disposed of as Khedive?
1879
who was British commissioner at the time?
Lord Dufferin
What did Lord Dufferin do with his British political influence at the time?
imposed taxes on taxes on Egyptian food and goods and reduced the army by 2/3s to prop up the ailing economy
What were the consequences of these methods?
Increased unemployment and prompted national rebellion led by Arabi Pasha
Why was Britain concerned by Arabi Pasha?
he forced Khedive Tewfiq to appoint Pasha’s allies in gov positions where there was now a strong nationalist and anti British stance. This weakened British security over trade and investment
what happened in June 1882?
political tensions spilled over Alexandria killing 50 Europeans
What was PM Gladstone’s reaction to these revolts?
Sent in naval forces to Alexandria
when did Arabi pasha declare war?
1882
How did Britain claim victory in the Arabi Pasha war?
Britain maintained control over the Suez using Brit forces and beat Pasha at Tel-el-Kebir allowing them to retake Cairo
How did Britain solidify control over Egypt?
-Tewfiq restored as puppet ruler
-Evelyn Baring appointed as Consul General
What did being a puppet ruler mean for Tewfiq?
He had to create a government amenable to Britain, employ brit military and had to rely on brit administrators
what was Egypt considered to be at the end of 1882?
A veiled protectorate
who was Muhammed Ahmed of Sudan?
A Sudanese islamic clerk who proclaimed himself as Mahdi (the saviour of mankind)
What were Sudanese relations with Britain and Egypt like?
They had long term hostility toward Egypts existing administration with Sudan and grew even more resentment of British influence
What was the aim of the Mahdist’s and the Jihadist army?
Sought to liberate Sudan from British-Egyptian rule
What did the Jihadist army achieve in 1882?
The had taken complete control over Khartoum
What did Gladstone do to counteract this?
Ordered General Gordon to oversee the evacuation of British and Egyptian troops to avoid further conflict
What happened to General Gordon?
He was beheaded in 1885 after British-Egyptian forces were overrun
