L3: British and Egyptian Control of the Suez Canal Flashcards
What is Egypt’s trading history?
Egypt has long been an important trading point between Europe and Asia
What did Egypt used to be apart of?
The Ottoman Empire
How long has Britain and Egypt been trading?
Since the 19th century
What conflict affected the trading between Britain and Egypt?
In the 1800s - 1810s, France and Napoleon tried to undermine British presence and tried to establish French interests in Egypt too
When and why did Britain regain interest in Egypt again?
The cotton from America was disrupted by the American Civil War and Egypt made high-quality cotton and was keen to find other countries to buy it off them
During the American Civil War, what did Britain invest in?
Britain invested in the Egyptian cotton industry and the modernizing programme
Who lead the Egyptian cotton industry programme?
The Khedive (leader) of Egypt, Isma’il Pasha
When did Isma’il Pasha come to power?
1863
What did Pasha want to do to Egypt?
Turn it into a successful modern nation
How did Pasha modernise Egypt?
He established a professional army
Extended Egyptian control through Sudan
Developed irrigation, electric lighting, railways and schools
What else did Pasha build that was important?
The Suez Canal
Who built the Suez Canal?
It was built by a French company called the Suez Canal Company (1858) when given permission to do so by Pasha
How did the opening of the Suez Canal affect Europe?
Huge for trade coming from China and India into Europe
Also cut 6,000 miles off the journey
When shares for the project was available, who bought most of them?
France
What did Britain buy when buying its share of the Suez Canal?
Britain bought Egypt’s controlling shares in 1875 when Pasha was going bankrupt
Why did the Egyptians loose faith in Pasha?
It was clear that Pasha was becoming a puppet-leader, controlled by the British
Why was Pasha removed as Khedive?
He was removed in favour of his son
What was Pasha’s son like as Khedive?
He was just as controlled by the imperial powers as his father was
What did the powers of the British in Egypt lead to?
Rise of Egyptian nationalism
Who led the Egyptian nationalism?
Ahmed Urabi
How did Urabi support his nationalist cause?
Urabi order Twefig to sack his ministers who had “sold the country to Europeans
He also demanded an elected assembly and a purge of alien elements from the army and civil service
Urabi was appointed minister of War
Which area rioted as a result of increasing nationalism?
Alexandria
Why did riots break out in Alexandria in June and why did the British get involved?
Tensions broke out when a Maltese murdered an Egyptian donkey boy during a street fracas.
Rioting including attacks on Europeans and their property
British got involved because it was a chance to blame Urabi and his agitators
What were the consequences of the Alexandria riot?
50 Brits killed
British navy became a violent bombardment and suppression of Alexandria
How did the British respond to the Alexandrian riots?
The bombardment of Alexandria was when the British bombarded the city of Alexandria with guns and shells without the assistance of France
What was the damage of the bombardment of Alexandria?
It triggered fresh tumults, looting and attacks on Europeans
British warships were ordered ashore to suppress the disorders
How did the suppression of Alexandria end?
British were firmly under the control of Egyptian administration
What did Urabi promise not to do?
Interfere with the Suez canal
