Chapter 1: Expansion of British Empire in Africa Flashcards
Why did British interest in Egypt grow
Britain became starved of Cotton due to the American Civil war, Egypts good quality cotton attracted them
Suez Canal had an effect on trade so Britain bought £4 million of shares in 1875
How did Britain establish control in Egypt
Through Suez Canal shares, Britain being placed in control of Government revenue, British influence as their money kept economy afloat, putting down Arabi Pasha revolt and establishing a veiled protectorate and appointing Baring as consul General
How was a veiled protectorate established
Dual control meant taxes were imposed on food and goods as well as the army being reduced to 2/3, this led to unemployment and unrest meant a nationalist rebellion by Arabi Pasha was able to force Tewfiq to appoint anti European people to key government positions, Alexandria riots killed 50 people and so Britain launched a military campaign to restore order. Arabi Pasha was defeated and Tewfiq was forced to appoint British military personnel to supervise army and rely on British advisors. Baring was made consul general
Who was the Mahdi and what did he want
A self proclaimed saviour who drew on long term hostility to Egypt and resentment of British forces to create a Jihadist army that aimed to Liberate Sudan
What was Gorden and Gladstones views on the Mahdi
They sympathised with him and said they were ‘struggling rightly to be free’
What did Gladstone order Gordon to do after the death of Hicks
Ordered Gordon to evacuate all Egyptian and British troops but he defied these orders and stayed
What happened to Gordon after he defied orders
The British public were angry Gladstone didn’t send relief
Eventually he sent 15000 troops however they arrived two days after Gordon was killed
Gladstone became viewed as the murderer of Gordon
Why didn’t Gladstone retaliate
He was anxious to avoid further death and money for no obvious gain
