Egypt (pre Urabi revolt)

Question 1

Egypt during the Tanzimat

Answer 1

• The Ottoman Empire could not contain Egypt so they become semi-autonomous and have their own modernisation program.
• Muhammad Ali’s government despite his ineffective ruling expanded the creation of new ministers and new elite of officials trained in Europe/Europeanised institutions

Question 2

Ali Mubarak reforms 1820s

Answer 2

Ali Mubarak Reform 1820s

Ali Mubarak – successful reformer helped spread the uptake of Western reforms in education and land tenure.

Economy shaped by the European market.
Became integrated into the international market exporting raw materials like cotton.

BUT – lack of capital, industrial power, ability to innovate a static society and economy.

Question 3

Khedive Ismail 1863

Answer 3

Capitulations for foreigners (exempt from tax and local laws) appointed many ministers. – became source of irritation in 1963 after death of Saiyid.

Isma’il 1863-1879 - encouraged Egypt to become Europeanised and focused on education, even female education became the responsibly of the state.

Dominated by European judges applying legal codes derived from European law

1875 - Egypt sold 44% interest in Suez Canal company to British gov
o 1875 state bankruptcy
o 1876 - suspended interest rates on loans = bankruptcy
o Lead to loss of political independence and Ismail deposed in 1879.

The accession of Tawfiq gave European powers more freedom to arrange disbursement of Egyptian revenues.
- 1880 – almost £100 million of national debt
o 60% of all revenue went towards repaying debt.

The deposition of Ismail may have brought a measure of financial stability but not political stability.

There was discontent with the elite leading to a reaction against European interference + emergence of Egypt’s national hero – Ahmed Urabi

Question 4

Ahmed Urabi

Answer 4

Ahmed Urabi
Peasant background and traditional training – represented the authentic voice of the Egyptian people.

Peasant population had provided the tax for Ismail’s grand plans – who had subsequently become impoverished while the foreigners were tax exempt.

1881 – Urabi + officers protested against law which would impede the fellah (Egyptians) from rising to officer status.

Despite it being rescinded by Tawfiq – more started to protest in a campaign against the domination of Europeanisation of Egypt’s affairs.

Question 5

Impact on the political order

Answer 5

The politics of the Urabi movement were made complex due to the coalitions of notables who opposed him and endorsed him.
- Movement had important purposes
1- Eliminate foreign control over Egypt’s finances
2- Curtail the autocracy of the Khedive.
- Urabi gained support from the army, group of reformist notables and peasants
- He was appointed minister for war in 1882 and made provisions for the formulation of national assembly which could determine the budget and spending.
- khedive Tawfiq forced to depend on foreign support to preserve his throne.

Question 6

The Powers of the British

Answer 6

• The British preferred the powers of the khedive
• To Britain and France, the Urabi movement was a threat and may restrict its access to the Suez Canal.
• Part of a larger imperial project - Britain has significant possessions around the world Africa, Australia.
• In June 1882 – anti-foreign riots in Alexandria
  o Britain order commander of ship to bombard the city
• They defeated Urabi’s forces – Tel al-Kabir Battle
• The movement was seen to be a quick interventionalist action to restore Khedive authority but resulted in an occupation until 1956
• Urabi was exiled but was remembered as a figure who later became a legend, His goal was to protect his country’s independence from foreign economic control.