The Nile Valley - Topic 7.2 Flashcards
Egypt as a 'veiled protectorate'
What were the reasons for continued British involvement in Egypt?
- The defeat in November 1883 of the Egyptian army under Sir Hick, who had entered the khedive’ service following the occupation of 1882, by radical jihadist forces under the mahdi of Sudan
- The nature of the British administrator Sir Evelyn Baring and his agenda for Egypt
- The defeat of Gladstne over the question of Irish Home Rule in 1886 and the dominance of the Tory Lord Salisbury for the last years of the century
What was Baring’s ‘Mission in Egypt’?
Consul General of Egypt from 1883 to 1907, Lord Cromer believe there needed to be fundamental changes to agricultural infrastructure and governmental institutions of Egypt. London did nothing to restrain him. During his tenure, there was wholesale participation in infrastructure projects such as irrigation and sewage systems.
Why was radical Islam in Sudan perpetuating the veiled protectorate?
Egyptian control of Sudan had faltered in the 1870s. The Khedive Ismail appointed Gordon of Khartoum as governor general of Sudan in 1873 to put down a series of revolts against the khedive and suppress the slave trade. He resigned after Ismail was deposed and his successors failed to maintain order and the slave trade resurged.
The madhi of Sudan intended to drive out the Egyptian-Ottoman rulers and aimed to established a purer form of Islam. Sir Hicks was defeated in the province in November 1883 and Egypt no longer exercised any level of control in Sudan.
The lack of faith in the khedive’s ability to control the mahdi in Sudan led to British politicians to go against withdrawl in Egypt.
How did the collapse of liberalism in Britain help the occupation?
The Liberal Party split over the issue of Irish Home Rule and lost to the Tories consecutively from 1886-1906. Salisbury was clever not to get dragged into jingoism and imperial rhetoric and he began his premiership frustrated by Britain’s involvement in Egypt. But he also didn’t want to give the French a foothold in North Africa, and he was aware of the patriotic sentiments stirred up by the mahdi.
After the Constantinople Convention on 22nd May 1887, after threats made by the French and Russians to restrict British control in Egypt by the sultan, Salisbury’s resolve changed, as he only became more convinced that the French were the greatest threat to British interests. The threat that Russia posed to India only strengthened his conclusion.
What successes did Baring have as Consul General?
1883-1907
- By instituting stringent financial controls and making cuts in public spending, Baring restored the government of Egypt to solvency in by 1887. The London Convention of 1885 agreed a loan of £9mn to Egypt and £8mn was spent on stabilising the debt situation of the country
- The remaining £1mn was spent on irrigation and cleaning the silted drainage canals of the Nile’s flood plains to improve agriculture. Stability relied on the support of the fellahin (peasentry) and between 1882 and 1902, 8% of the government’s revenue was going towards agriculture and hydraulic improvements
What problems did Baring face as Consul General?
With the budget and investment
1883-1907
Baring’s annual budget was largely allocated to debt repayments, to military spending to protect the population against the mahdi and to irrigation. Other spending was limited and progress was slow or non-existent.
The land taxation system demonstrated that tax was paid on kharaj land at £1 6s 4d per fedden compared to 10s 7d paid on ushr land. British officials argued that the tax system should be equalised to prevent rebellion and promote investment, however Baring was cautious upsetting the large landowners and put off tax reform.
Development in irrigation was held back by inequality in the tax system.
What problems did Baring face as Consul General?
With education
1883-1907
Investment in education was limited as Baring believe that secondary education was not the responsibility of the government. Baring didn’t fund secondary education and limited the upward mobility of the fellahin. He raised tuition fees in 1901 in primary schools, decreasing enrolment. He believed too much progress too quickly would destabilise the country.
What problems did Baring face as Consul General?
With Egyptian nationalism
1883-1907
Baring underestimated the strength of Egyptian nationalism. Although it laid dormant in the early years of the veiled protectorate, after the death of Tewfik in 1892, Egyptian nationalism returned amongst the ruling classes. The new Khedive Abbas intrigued against the protectorate with young intellectuals, and financed a journey to France to influence foreign opinion against British rule.
Baring remained oblivious to fellahin nationalismand was remaining convinced that all nationalistic feeling emanated from the new khedive. Baring believed his reforms had brought warm gratitude from the masses, completely forgetting the lack of mobility of the fellahin.
How did Baring leave Egypt in 1907?
Egypt was solvent and there had been important agricultural and economic reforms made. Nationalism was present at every level of society because of the lack of opportunity for upward mobility in Baring-controlled Egypt; a problem that only perpetuated with time.
