The Nile valley 1882-98 Flashcards
Who took control of Egypt in 1878?
Dual control was taken by France and Britain
Why was British interest in Egypt originally so strange?
Gladstone was pro-small government and anti-imperialist, yet he took control of Egypt anyhow
Why was the acquisition of Egypt important geo-politically?
France wanted to check Austro-Hungarian and Russian interest in the Mediterranean after the inevitable fall of the Ottoman Empire, and Suez Canal
How much foreign debt did the Khedives get themselves in between 1863-70?
Debt went from £3m to £100
When was Egypt bankrupt?
1875/6
Why did the khedives desire autonomy?
They lived far from the Ottoman centre in Constantinople, and had previous enjoyed autonomy due to this
What did the Dual Control force upon the khedive?
Ismail Pasha had to cut pay of army, introduce food taxes and reform the financial system?
When was Ismail Pasha deposed and by who?
In 1879 the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire removed him
Who took over Egypt after the Sultan was persuaded to step back?
Ismail Pasha’s son, Tewfik Pasha
Who formed what in 1879?
Colonel Ahmed Urabi, or Arabi Pasha formed the Egyptian Nationalist Party
Who supported Arabi Pasha?
Those in the army wanting a raise, the bourgeoisie disliking the economic meddling of the dual powers, and the fellahin (peasants)
What caused the coup of 1879?
Government plan’s to dismiss 2,500 army officers and halve the rest’s salaries
What was the result of the coup of 1879?
A nationalist ministry was created including Arabi Pasha
What did Arabi Pasha do immediately when in power which frightening the Dual Controls?
Borrowed £400,000 to reverse the need for army cuts
Why did Britain further itself in Egypt in 1882 to do with strategy?
80% of Suez Canal ships were British, which they had a 45% share in - also to make sure France did not become too powerful in the region
Why did Britain further itself in Egypt in 1882 to do with trade?
Britain took 80% of Egyptian exports and created 44% of it’s import market
Why did Britain further itself in Egypt in 1882 to do with finance?
There were many British bond-holders with Egyptian assets who would lose lots if the country defaulted (even Gladstone had 37% wealth in the area)
Why did Britain further itself in Egypt in 1882 to do with people?
On the 11th June 1882 there were anti-Christian riots, where 20% of population was European and 50 were killed
What did the Dual Controls send Egypt in 1882 in terms of diplomacy and what was the result?
The Gambetta Note led to the Arabi Pasha forcing a nationalist cabinet on the khedive
How did violence begin in Egypt in 1882?
British and French sending battleships to the coast, before British bombardment of Alexandria
Why did France back of out Egypt in terms of international politics?
Bismark and Germany had decided to repudiate the actions in Egypt, and France could not disagree with that
Why did France back of out Egypt in terms of home politics?
A new leader, Charles de Freycinet, took to power in France, and he was less inclined to Egyptian intervention
What is the end result of the Arabi Pasha after 1882?
He is exiled to Ceylon
What is the end result for he who holds power in Egypt after 1882?
Tewfik becomes nominal figurehead, British take real control, Baring comes in
Why was the veiled protectorate held up for so long in terms of military?
After the savaging of Sir William Hicks in 1883 by radical jihadists under the Mahdi’s son, things didn’t look too safe
Why was the veiled protectorate held up for so long in terms of leadership?
Baring had an extensive plan of reform for Egypt which would take time to achieve
Why was the veiled protectorate held up for so long in terms of home politics in Britain?
Gladstone’s defeat at the hands of Hoe Rule in 1886 led to the more imperialist Salisbury
Why was the Khedive powerless after 1882?
All actions had to be approved by the British, who not only had Baring, but made up a large amount of the Civil Service
How long did Sir Evelyn Baring lead Egypt for?
From 1883-1907
How did Sudan fall into such a state of rampant jihadism?
After Gordon left as governor of Khartoum, anti-khedive revolts were not put down, and then the Mahdi emerged in 1881
Why was Sudan important to Salisbury?
While the place was not, the thought of jihadist expansion around the Suez Canal and Alexandria was worrying
What happened to British desire to withdraw in 1887?
The agreement to allow re-enter if necessary was so offensive to France and Russia that they pressured the Sultan not to agree to it
What was the British reaction to the failed Constantinople Conference?
They decided they couldn’t give up Egypt out of fear of Great Powers taking over
What was the financial achievements of the Baring years?
He returned Egypt to solvency by 1887, using loans to stabilize the debt problems - debt repayment made up half of spending
How much money did Baring spend on irrigation?
£1m
What was Baring’s big plan for Egyptian agriculture?
The only was to improve the situation for fellahin was to achieve proper drainage in the farms
What was the problem with the Egyptian tax system and what happened to it under Baring?
The fellahin paid more tax on their kharaj per fedden than they would have had on the ushr land, but no reform was made until the 20th century
What did Baring do with the education system of Egypt?
Secondary education was not the role of the state to provide, and too much of it would destabilize the country anyhow - he increased tuition fees on primary schools to decrease enrollment
