Egypt - Key people Flashcards
Sir Evelyn Baring
(later known as Lord Cromer)
Occupation: British statesman and colonial administrator
Position: British Consul-General in Egypt
Term: 1883-1907
Significance: Oversaw British occupation and modernization of Egypt, implemented financial and administrative reforms, established the Egyptian pound as a stable currency, and initiated large-scale infrastructure projects.
Gladstone
Occupation: British Prime Minister (1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, 1892-1894)
Political Views: Liberal
Significance for Egypt:
Gladstone opposed British military intervention in Egypt in 1882 and sought to withdraw British troops from the country.
He was critical of British imperial policies in Egypt and advocated for Egyptian self-rule and independence.
Gladstone’s views on Egypt were shaped by his opposition to colonialism and his belief in national self-determination.
General Gordon
Occupation: British Army officer and administrator
Significance for Egypt:
Served as governor of the Equatoria province in Sudan and later as governor-general of Sudan.
He was sent to Khartoum in 1884 to evacuate British personnel and civilians, but he stayed to defend the city against the forces of the Mahdi.
Gordon’s refusal to evacuate Khartoum and his subsequent death during the siege became a symbol of British imperial heroism and sacrifice.
His death sparked a wave of British public outrage and fueled demands for revenge against the Mahdi and his followers.
The Mahdi
The Mahdi was a religious and political leader in Sudan in the late 19th century.
He led a successful uprising against the Egyptian and British forces that had occupied Sudan.
His movement aimed to establish an Islamic state governed by sharia law.
The Mahdi’s legacy inspired resistance to colonialism and foreign influence in Sudan and the wider Muslim world.
Arabi pasha
Was an Egyptian nationalist and army officer.
He led a revolt against the British-backed khedive in 1882, aiming to establish an independent Egypt.
Became a symbol of resistance to foreign influence and colonialism in Egypt.
Ismail Pasha
Khedive of Egypt from 1863 to 1879.
Known for his ambitious modernization and development projects in Egypt
Ismail’s modernization efforts also resulted in the accumulation of significant debt, leading to his removal from power in 1879 by the Ottoman Empire and European creditors.
Tewfik Pasha
After Ismail Pasha’s removal from power in 1879, he was replaced by his son, Tewfik Pasha, who was seen as more compliant with European interests and easier to control
Lord Salisbury
Term: 1885-1886, 1886-1892, 1895-1902
Played a key role in British foreign policy towards Egypt during his time in office, contributing towards British imperialism
Oversaw the occupation of Egypt in 1882
Sought to maintain British influence in Egypt while also balancing against other European powers.
Negotiated the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium agreement in 1899, which formalized British control over Sudan while recognizing Egyptian sovereignty.
