The problem of the Sudan Flashcards
When was Gordon appointed as British Governor of the Equatorial Provinces of Sudan and when did he reign?
Appointed in 1873 and resigned in 1880
Who was the madhi and when did he declare himself the madhi?
Muhammed Ahmad; declared himself in 1881
Due to Gordon’s targeting of the slave trade, these local leaders didn’t offer much help in resisting the Madhi forces against Sir William Hicks. How many of Hicks’ soldiers remained of the 7,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry?
300
In which year was General Gordon dispatched to the Sudan to organise an evacuation?
1884
What was Gordon’s intention whilst in Khartoum?
Generate publicity to force a change of policy from evacuation to intervention
What did Gordon focus on whilst in Khartoum when he wasn’t evacuating?
Wiring plans to hand over authority to an anti-mahdist figure
When did the Madhi break through the fortifications at Khartoum?
26 January 1885
When did news reach London that Khartoum had fallen?
5 February 1885
When did Lord Salisbury order a campaign in Sudan to secure the nile?
1896
Who led the Sudan campaign in 1896?
Lord Kitchener
What were the two threats in Sudan during the 1890s?
Anglo-French rivalry and newly emergent mahdist forces
Where did the madhist forces defeat Italian forces in 1896?
Battle of Adowa
Who in 1894 declared that French interference in the Nile valley would be seen as an unfriendly act?
Sir Edward Grey, the under-secretary of state for foreign affairs
What was the French ambition in Africa?
Link Djibouti, the Niger and the Blue Nile
What was Britain’s territorial interest in Africa?
South Africa and British East Africa
Where did British and French forces meet in 1898?
Fashoda
How large was the British force in 1898?
1,500 men with 5 gunboats
How large was the French force in 1898 who met the British forces at Fashoda?
120 men led by Major Marchand
When did the French forces drop their claim to Fashoda?
3 November 1898
Who led the relief campaign to rescue Gordon?
General Wolseley
The initial objective of Kitchener’s campaign was Dongola, but after which victory in 1896 meant retaking the whole of Sudan was possible?
Defeat of madhist forces at Ferkeh
Which battle did Kitchener win before Omdurman?
Atbara
After retaking Khartoum, what did Kitchener do to the dead madhi?
Decapitated the madhi
What weapon was used at the battle of Omdurman?
Maxim gun
How many of the Madhist forces died at Omdurman?
10,000 (13,500 taken prisoner; 5,000 wounded)
How many British soldier died at Omdurman?
47 (382 wounded)
When was the Battle of Omdurman?
2 September 1898
What aspect of Kitchener’s leadership did Churchill criticise in his 1899 book River War?
Not reissuing the order that the wounded be spared
