1898 Omdurman and Fashoda (Sudan)

Question 1

What was Salisbury’s motivation for launching a campaign in Sudan

Answer 1

• worried by interest other European nations were showing in Africa.
• concerned about French and German expansion inland in East Africa.
• Italian expansion on Red Sea Coast at Massawa seen as beneficial as it diverted Khalifa’s attention from the Egyptian borders -> however Italian’s were defeated by Ethiopian resistance in 1896.
• this gave Salisbury the excuse needed to launch campaign in the Sudan.
  -> also welcomed as an opportunity to avenge death of General Gordon.

Question 2

List the key features of the Sudan campaign

Answer 2

• General Sir Herbert Kitchener, ordered to penetrate Sudan territory as far as Dongola, but he was determined to go further and take Khartoum and conquer the whole region.
• made use of modern weaponry like maxim guns, modern rifles and field artillery -> won a decisive victory at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.

Question 3

What were the features of Fashoda Incident

Answer 3

• Kitchener received orders by Salisbury after victory against Sudanese - go to Fashoda on the headwaters of the Nile -> French expedition under Major Marchand had arrived.
• both pressed claims for their claims but was not fiery.
• British public overreact suggesting they were on the brink of war.
• However, French gov was facing internal problems and backed down.

Question 4

What were the consequences of the Fashoda Incident.

Answer 4

• Agreement of 1899 -> French promise to stay out of Nile in return for territory further west.
• also brought an agreement between Britain’s and Egypt’s ‘veiled protectorate’, whereby Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was established.

Question 5

What were the features of the establishment of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

Answer 5

• Anglo-Egyptian Sudan would be administered in arrangement known as condominium.
• meant Sudan would be run by British, with Egyptian support.
• Lord Kirchner appointed as the 1st governor-general (ruling in the name of the Khedive of Egypt).
• Kitchener set up ‘Gordon College’ to train young Sudanese for government.
• despite Egyptian expectations -> Britain frustrated ambitions for the unification of the 2 countries.