The problem of the Sudan

Question 1

When was Gordon appointed as British Governor of the Equatorial Provinces of Sudan and when did he reign?

Answer 1

Appointed in 1873 and resigned in 1880

Question 2

Who was the madhi and when did he declare himself the madhi?

Answer 2

Muhammed Ahmad; declared himself in 1881

Question 3

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?

Answer 3

300

Question 4

In which year was General Gordon dispatched to the Sudan to organise an evacuation?

Answer 4

1884

Question 5

What was Gordon’s intention whilst in Khartoum?

Answer 5

Generate publicity to force a change of policy from evacuation to intervention

Question 6

What did Gordon focus on whilst in Khartoum when he wasn’t evacuating?

Answer 6

Wiring plans to hand over authority to an anti-mahdist figure

Question 7

When did the Madhi break through the fortifications at Khartoum?

Answer 7

26 January 1885

Question 8

When did news reach London that Khartoum had fallen?

Answer 8

5 February 1885

Question 9

When did Lord Salisbury order a campaign in Sudan to secure the nile?

Answer 9

1896

Question 10

Who led the Sudan campaign in 1896?

Answer 10

Lord Kitchener

Question 11

What were the two threats in Sudan during the 1890s?

Answer 11

Anglo-French rivalry and newly emergent mahdist forces

Question 12

Where did the madhist forces defeat Italian forces in 1896?

Answer 12

Battle of Adowa

Question 13

Who in 1894 declared that French interference in the Nile valley would be seen as an unfriendly act?

Answer 13

Sir Edward Grey, the under-secretary of state for foreign affairs

Question 14

What was the French ambition in Africa?

Answer 14

Link Djibouti, the Niger and the Blue Nile

Question 15

What was Britain’s territorial interest in Africa?

Answer 15

South Africa and British East Africa

Question 16

Where did British and French forces meet in 1898?

Answer 16

Fashoda

Question 17

How large was the British force in 1898?

Answer 17

1,500 men with 5 gunboats

Question 18

How large was the French force in 1898 who met the British forces at Fashoda?

Answer 18

120 men led by Major Marchand

Question 19

When did the French forces drop their claim to Fashoda?

Answer 19

3 November 1898

Question 20

Who led the relief campaign to rescue Gordon?

Answer 20

General Wolseley

Question 21

The initial objective of Kitchener’s campaign was Dongola, but after which victory in 1896 meant retaking the whole of Sudan was possible?

Answer 21

Defeat of madhist forces at Ferkeh

Question 22

Which battle did Kitchener win before Omdurman?

Answer 22

Atbara

Question 23

After retaking Khartoum, what did Kitchener do to the dead madhi?

Answer 23

Decapitated the madhi

Question 24

What weapon was used at the battle of Omdurman?

Answer 24

Maxim gun

Question 25

How many of the Madhist forces died at Omdurman?

Answer 25

10,000 (13,500 taken prisoner; 5,000 wounded)

Question 26

How many British soldier died at Omdurman?

Answer 26

47 (382 wounded)

Question 27

When was the Battle of Omdurman?

Answer 27

2 September 1898

Question 28

What aspect of Kitchener’s leadership did Churchill criticise in his 1899 book River War?

Answer 28

Not reissuing the order that the wounded be spared