Egypt

Question 1

Background to Egypt

Answer 1

The hierarchal and bureaucratic system of the Ottoman Empire was in decline, this means if it collapsed other European powers could get land and benefit

Question 2

What was the Kehdives economic issue?

Answer 2

Relied on European financial investment from Britain/France to develop Egypt’s economy, especially after they became bankrupt after building the Suez Canal

Question 3

Give examples of Dual Control in Egypt

Answer 3

Dual Control - Britain/France supervised and controlled Egypt
• Forced Ismail Pasha to introduce stringent financial reforms, including cutting the pay of army and sales taxes on foods/goods
• Reduced foreign debt
• The Sultan was persuaded by the British to replace Ismail with his son, Tewfik

Question 4

What was the role of Arabi Pasha?

Answer 4

• Was a nationalist officer in Egyptian Army who led against Tewfik and Dual Control.
• Formed Egyptian Nationalist Party in 1879

Question 5

Why did the actions of the Arabi Pasha concern the British?

Answer 5

Led a coup after 2,500 officers were dismissed and the the rest had their salaries halved. The new nationalist cabinet reversed this policy and the British/French feared they couldn’t reclaim their debts and wouldn’t have as much influence over Tewfik.

Question 6

Reasons for British intervention in Egypt in 1882

Answer 6

Suez Canal
Anglo-French rivalry
Financial interests in Egypt/Suez Canal
Protecting British people in Egypt

Question 7

Reasons for British intervention in Egypt in 1882

Answer 7

Suez Canal
Anglo-French rivalry
Financial interests in Egypt/Suez Canal
Protecting British people in Egypt

Question 8

Why did the French not support British military intervention in Egypt in 1882?

Answer 8

• Fear Of Germany

* French internal policies

Question 9

What were the strategic interests for Britain to get involved in Egypt?

Answer 9

• Egypt could expand their imperial empire
• Bondholders and capital investment at the centre of the occupation. City of London’s interests became the ‘national interests’
• Modernisation of the khedives and the birth of a distinctive national voice, creates the opposition for British to get involved

Question 10

What was the veiled protectorate?

Answer 10

Britain controlled Egypt with no legal basis for their presence other than they were there to support the khedives

Question 11

Explain the 1881 Emergence of the Madhi

Answer 11

• Radical Islamic movement in Sudan under the Madhi (chosen one)
• Justification for British to stay (saying it would be dangerous if they left now)
• Led to the defeat of the Egyptian Army in 1883

Question 12

Information about Sir Evelyn Baring

Answer 12

• Made British Consul General in Egypt 1883
• Wanted long term changes to agricultural infrastructure and governmental institutions
• Conservative who instituted strict financial controls
• Helped with debt repayment and spent £1mil on irrigation of the Nile

Question 13

Weaknesses of Sir Evelyn Baring

Answer 13

• Budgetary constraints, investment in education was limited
• Taxation issue causes social discontent (only benefits landowners)
• Bit racist, not seen as regenerator by all Egyptians

Question 14

What did Baring spend his budget on?

Answer 14

• Military protection for the population against the Mahdi
• 8% of government revenue was spent on agriculture and hydraulic improvements
• Spent £1 million on irrigation and cleaning the drainage canals of the Nile

Question 15

What was the significance of Lord Salisbury taking over from Gladstone in government?

Answer 15

1885-1886
Salisbury agreed with Baring that full reform of Egypt required 15 years. Not prepared to withdraw from Egypt if it meant giving the French a strategic advantage

Question 16

Explain the Constantinople Convention

Answer 16

• 1887 - Agreement to let the British re-enter the country of necessary
• Collapsed when French & Russian threaten the Sultan with Syrian invasion
• Sultan buckles under pressure
• Britain realise if they leave they can’t re-enter so decide to stay

Question 17

Arguments for the Madhi’s blame

Answer 17

• Religious fanatics
• Hypocritical - dress up as poor but has a palace and servants
• Violent - imprison Slatin and show him Gordon’s decapitated head
• Want Europeans/Egyptians out of Sudan

Question 18

Who were Slatin and Gordon?

Answer 18

• Slatin was an Austrian soldier who became friends with Gordon (Governor General of Sudan in 1878.)
• Slatin and Gordon fought against the Madhi

Question 19

Arguments against the Madhi being blamed

Answer 19

• Aggressive campaign to westernise Sudan
• Egyptian rule over Sudan involved the imposition of high taxation/taking slaves/control of trade
• British arrived to protect their interest in the Suez Canal/repay loans
• British undermine Muslim Arab dominance and intensify anti-slavery campaign

Question 20

What were Gladstone’s concerns about the Mahdi uprising?

Answer 20

• Believed problems in Sudan would destabilise Egypt
• Main goal was to evacuate Egyptian garrisons in Sudan as couldn’t afford to keep ruling Susan
• Gladstone wanted to avoid British intervention in the Mahdi uprising

Question 21

What was Gordon’s orders over the Mahdi uprising and what does he do?

Answer 21

• In 1884 Gordon was sent to Sudan to organise the evacuation.
• He decided to stay and forces them into a siege.
• British response is big as they blame Gladstone for dragging his feet in dispatching the rescue expedition to rescue Gordon

Question 22

How did Gordon’s attempt to stop the Mahdi go?

Answer 22

• Wanted to hold out against the Mahdi until reinforcements came due to public outcry
• Government decides to leave him
• Siege lasted 10 months
• After Gordon’s death Gladstone loses the election and Salisbury becomes PM

Question 23

What was the Sudan Invasion?

Answer 23

1897 led by Horatio Kitchener
12,000 Sudanese died
Strengthened the Empires position in Sudan and avenged Gordon