SFA Flashcards
Change in British policy towards Egypt
Ottoman Empire favoured as they acted as a buffer for Russian empire
Suez canal main reason for change, quicker route to India
Suez built by French so British reluctant to trust
Disraeli buys £4m shares in for greater British Control
Economic reasons for change in policy in Egypt
significant financial investments,
trade with Egypt was vital,
protecting revenue from trade routes to India
Political reason for change in policy in Egypt
Egyptian nationalism would have freed Egypt from Turkish control and allowed her to form alliances with other European powers such as France
A clear threat to Britain
Imperial reason for change in policy towards Egypt
canal was easiest route to India,
vital strategically,
protecting trade routes
Why was SFA so significant?
Gladstone reluctant imperialist spoke of non intervention
However in 1882 he ordered occupation of Egypt, an event that marked the start of European partition of Africa
Britain had very few possessions in Africa before 1880
Reasons for scramble
Missionaries- civil duty to cleanse the people
Fear of missing out on other European powers gaining more power than them
Plenty of gold and diamonds among other things
Rivalry
Trade routes and investments needed protection
They felt they were superior
Brussels conference in 1976
Held by King Leopold, largely motivated by desire to protect Belgian interests in Congo
Africans were incapable of developing natural resources to be found in central Africa. European intervention was necessary
Routes needed to be developed
International African Association should be established to coordinate the Europeans efforts
EUROPEANS SHOULD TAKE CONTROL OF AFRICAN RESOURCES
Berlin 1884-85
Legitimised the colonisation of Africa
Africa divided up (90% by 1900)
Principle of ‘effective occupation’
Boost to resources/industry of European powers
Tried to avoid conflict between European powers over African territory
Effective occupation (Berlin Conference 1884-85)
Power could assert a claim
European control 20 years after Berlin conf
90% of Africa in European hands compared to 20% at BC
Key event 1869
Suez Canal opens
Was policy in Africa governed by fear of European rivals?
Agree
Lord Roseberry speech ‘world is not elastic’
Brussels conference, clear that other countries were expanding
Fashoda incident
Germany/Boer alliance
Was policy in Africa governed by fear of European rivals?
Disagree
Missionary work ‘felt it was their duty’ to cleanse darkness
Allowed Belgium control in Congo
Diamonds and money in land
Why did Egyptian nationalist movement grow at end of 19th century?
Growing middle class
British did little to help indigenous people
Egyptians appeared even less likely to rule own affairs
No opportunities for educated Egyptians
Corruption of Khedive
Evelyn Baring
1883-1907
Oversaw a gradual increase in British control
Main task was o regularise financial affairs
Improved communications/irrigation schemes/health and sanitation
