High Water Mark of The British Empire: 1857-1890 Flashcards
What was the Swing to the East and why did it occur?
Britain lost control of colonies in North America after 1783 American Revolutionary War. The Empire expanded into Africa and Asia to maintain wealth and global status.
Factors for expansion into Africa
(Swing to the East)
Economic
Strategic
Muscular Christianity
Exploration
Missionary
Economic factors
(Swing to the East)
Abundant natural resources, e.g. gold, ivory and diamonds
Strategic factors
(Swing to the East)
Important to secure trade routes, cape was a key port for travel to Indies, and later the suez canal. This was to counter international pressures
Muscular Christianity
(Swing to the East)
Believed native views were inferior and uncivilised, so pushed Christian values of masculinity and athleticism.
Exploration
(Swing to the East)
British explorers wanted to discover undocumented areas such as Congo Basin and Great African Lakes
Missionary
(Swing to the East)
Sought to find uncontacted natives in Africa and saw their views as savage and uncivilised
How much did Suez Canal reduce distance to India by?
43%
Who designed Suez Canal and when?
Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1854, after the Khedive of Egypt, Sa’id Pasha.
Why did Palmerstone originally oppose the Suez Canal and what did he say?
he believed it would have a negative impact on British trade and thought it would be unsuitable for large ships. He said “The British Government will use all the influence it possesses to frustrate the realisation of this project”
How long did it take to build Suez Canal?
10 years
When did the Canal open?
1864
what was the Panic of 1873?
Suez Canal rendered British trade posts in the Cape redundant, where stock for trading had been stored- leading to economic depression in Europe and America
what was Egypt’s national debt in 1863 and 1875?
£7 million to £100 million
How many shares did did Britain buy of suez canal and how was it funded?
Benjamin Disraeli bought 44% of the suez canal company using a £4 million loan from the Rothschild without obtaining parliamentary consent.
Why and when was Isma’il Pasha deposed and by who?
His economic mismanagement meant in 1879 he was deposed and his son Tewfiq Pasha was proclaimed Khedive of Egypt and was supported by britsh and french investment.
What happened to tax and the army when Tewfiq became Khedive?
Taxation on goods increased
The national army was reduced by 2/3
When was the Arabi Revolt and what was it?
1882- Due to being under continuous rule from Ottomans, khedives and now european powers. Colonel Arabi Pasha began a revolt. Gladstone sent naval forces to bombard Alexandria without French support and the high tensions resulted in the death of 50m Europeans in June.
When was Arabi Egyptian army defeated?
Battle of Tel El Kabir 13th September 1882. Tewfiq was installed as British puppet ruler . Major Evelyn Baring was appointed as consul-general of Egyptensuring British interests were catered for.
What is a veiled protectorate?
A state that doesn’t possess full sovereignty but has been granted some autonomy by a greater state.
who became governor general of Sudan in 1877 and who sent him?
Colonel Charles Gordon- sent by Disraeli
How was Egypt a Veiled protectorate?
(Egypt)
Egypt was granted a loan during the Convention of London 1885. Egypt was effectively ruled through Baring, though not codified in law.
What did Gordon aim to end in Sudan when he first came in?
(Sudan) (1877)
the slave trade- angered slave traders and caused an economic crisis
Who proclaimed themself ‘Madhi’?
(1881) (Sudan)
Muhammed Ahmed
what does Madhi mean?
(1881) (Sudan)
Guided one - traditionally a warrior figure in Islamic tradition who is prophesised to appear before the day of judgement
What did Muhammad Ahmed proclaim?
(1881) (Sudan)
Jihad (holy war) against all foreign powers
Who fought in the Arabi Revolt? What did this mean for the Madhists?
(1881) (Sudan)
The Khedivate. Meant the Madhist army could grow in power, relatively unchecked
Who were the British and Egyption troops defeated by?
(1883) (Sudan)
The Madhist Army at the Battle of Sheikan
What was the result of Gladstone’s Anglo Egyptian counter attack?
(1883) (Sudan)
Failed and Colonel William Hicks was killed
How did Gordon react to orders to evacuate from Sudan?
(Sudan) (1884)
Refused to retreat, defended city of Khartoum
When was the siege of Khartoum?
(Sudan)
26th January 1885
What happened in the siege of Khartoum?
Gordon was beheaded and put on display. Gladstones relief operation arrived 2 days later
What was Gladstone known as after siege of Khartoum?
Gordon Killer
When was EIC founded?
(India)
31st December 1600, Elizabeth I gave it a Royal charter to own British Monopoly in India
