British Consolidation and Expansion into Africa Flashcards
What action, ordered by PM Salisbury, ignited the second major Mahdist battle? (and what year)
In 1898, in the context of the scramble for Africa, PM Salisbury wanted to reassert Egypt’s claim to Sudan and ordered Lord Kitchener to take it back.
How many British soldiers were in the expedition into Sudan? (against Mahdists)
8200
How many Egyptian and Sudanese soldiers, commanded by British officers, were there?
17,500
How many troops were there in the Mahdist force?
60,000
How did the course of this 1898 conflict pan out?
The British entered Sudan and defeated a Mahdist force at the Battle of Atbara, then they headed to the Mahdist capital whereby they cut down the Mahdist forces once more.
The remaining Mahdists fled to Southern Sudan but were caught by the British, the Mahdi was killed which brought an end to the Mahdist regime.
How many were the Mahdist side’s casualties?
30,000
How many were the British side’s casualties?
c700
Following the defeat of the Mahdists, what colonial system did the British set up?
An Anglo-Egyptian condominium, which effectively gave Britain control of Sudan until its independence in 1956.
What were the benefits for Sudan and its people following British rule in 1898?
Think, development, link key areas, port, scheme
1) British rule led to economic development, particularly in Nile Valley.
2) Telegraph and railway lines were extended linking key areas in Northern Sudan together.
3) Port Sudan opened in 1906 as the country’s main outlet to the Red Sea, stimulated economic growth through increased trade etc.
4) In 1911 the Gezeira Scheme was established which aimed to provide high quality cotton and improve irrigation, British funded.
What were the negatives for Sudan and its people following British rule in 1898?
Think, oppressors, new rules, how were these rules received + evidence of this, mahdist again?
1) Whilst the people welcomed the British defeat of the Mahdists as they had almost destroyed the Sudanese economy, they felt as if one oppressor had been exchanged for another.
2) British attempts to introduce land tenure rules, penal codes, a new government, and a system of taxation angered the Sudanese peoples. Proof of this was how many tribal people refused to accept the new laws which caused the British to embark on 33 punitive expeditions to force them to accept the new British order.
3) Resistance was also demonstrated through 1902-3, 1904, and 1908 Mahdist Uprisings. The British responded by hanging the participants without trial.
How did the British come into control of Nyasaland? When, who was responsible?
Occupied by missionary David Livingstone and other missionaries after the 1860s. However, it was effectively a Protectorate in 1891 where the British established their influence with the British South Africa Company to deter rivals Portugal and Germany in the scamble for Africa.
But officially a Protectorate in 1907.
How did the British come into control of Rhodesia? When, who was responsible?
Cecil Rhodes had established a British presence in South Rhodesia since 1895 as he was intent on acquiring the gold and coal of the region and constructing his Cape to Cairo railway.
North Rhodesia administered by British South Africa Company on behalf of British government to access copper of region - protectorate in 1911.
When was the Second Boer War?
1899-1902
What were the short-term causes of the Second Boer War?
Think, what did Chamberlain and Rhodes advocated? What did the Uitlanders call on them to do? What negotiations failed near the turn of the century?
The British under Cecil Rhodes (PM of Cape Colony), and Neville Chamberlain (Colonial Secretary 1895-1902), advocated a British federation of South Africa to counter German territorial claims and Afrikaner nationalism derived from Transvaal gold.
Uitlanders called on Rhodes in 1895 for help as they were denied citizenship and voting rights for 14 years by Boer government led by Kruger. They were also taxed heavily and treated badly (Tom Edgar murder in 1898).
In response, Rhodes and Chamberlain in London planned the Jameson Raid which was launched in 1895-6 to overthrow the Boer government. Fiasco, most of the 500 raiders were captured and imprisoned. This caused the resignation of Rhodes.
1899, failed negotiations at Bloemfontein between Kruger (Transvaal President) and Alfred Milner (High Commissioner for South Africa). Milner advocated granting full citizenship to the Uitlanders after five years’ residence. Kruger opposed the policy but was prepared to make concessions. Milner was not, claiming that “war has got to come”; Boer forces invaded Natal four months later.
How did Britain come into control of Ashantiland, what year?
King Prempeh refused to accept British annexation of Ashantiland, tensions culminated in the 1900 Anglo-Ashanti War which ended in Ashantiland being incorporated into the British territory of the Gold Coast colony in 1901.
