Paper 3 (p) Why did Britain intervene in Egypt 1882

The growing weakness of the Ottoman Empire and the financial problems of the Khedive: by the end of 19^th century, the Ottoman Empire was in serious decline and was known as the ‘sick man of Europe’, this impacted British strategic thinking about Egypt, more specifically…

• Britain was concerned that if the Ottoman Empire collapsed, then strategic rivals could gain an advantage in the middle east and north Africa – ultimately threatening India.

• Britain was concerned that if the Ottoman Empire collapsed, then strategic rivals could gain an advantage in the Baltic – ultimately threatening the 13 colonies.

• Britain was concerned that if the Ottoman Empire collapsed, then strategic rivals could gain an advantage in the straits of Malacca – ultimately threatening Singapore

The growing weakness of the Ottoman Empire and the financial problems of the Khedive: became an even greater problem for Britain after 1869 because…

• With the opening of the Suez Canal, the strategic and economic importance of Egypt significantly increased.

• With the opening of the Suez Canal, the strategic and economic importance of Egypt significantly decreased.

• With the opening of the Suez Canal, the strategic and economic importance of India significantly increased.

The growing weakness of the Ottoman Empire and the financial problems of the Khedive: Between 1863 and 1870, Egypt's foreign debt had increased significantly, mainly due to loans from Britain and France, which meant British investors had an economic interest in Egypt, more specifically…

• Egypt’s debt increased from £3 million to £100 million

• Egypt’s debt increased from £30 million to £100 billion

• Egypt’s debt increased from £300, 000 to £3 million

The growing weakness of the Ottoman Empire and the financial problems of the Khedive: by 1876 the Khedive was bankrupt, so the French and British implemented austerity on Egypt – increased taxation and decreased government expenditure – this system was known as…

• Dual control

• Double control

• Two Power Control

The growing weakness of the Ottoman Empire and the financial problems of the Khedive: by June 1879, the British has lost patience with the profligate spending of Khedive Ismail Pasha, and forced the Ottomans to replace him with…

• His son Tewfik Pasha

• His nephew Tewfik Pasha

• His cousin Tewfik Pasha

Arabi Pasha and the development of Egyptian Nationalism: Arabi Pasha was first motivated by economic factors, more specifically…

• From 1876, Dual Control implemented cuts to army pay

• From 1876, Dual Control decreased wealth of the Khedive

• From 1876, Dual Control decreased the power of the wealth Empire

Arabi Pasha and the development of Egyptian Nationalism: He widened his initial protest into a nationalist platform, forming the Egyptian Nationalist Party in 1879. He attempted to win support from a wider section of society beyond by… CHOOSE TWO

• Appealing to the Egyptian peasants referring to himself in his as one of the fellahin.

• Use of the slogan 'Egypt for the Egyptians’

• Appealing to the Egyptian nobles referring to himself in his as one of the fellahin.

• Use of the slogan Ottoman Empire for the Ottomans.

Arabi Pasha and the development of Egyptian Nationalism: In 1879, Arabi led a coup following the attempt to dismiss 2,500 officers from the army and halve the salaries of those who remained, and he successfully forced Khedive Tewfik to appoint a nationalist ministry, including himself. The new nationalist cabinet reversed the policy, borrowing another £400,000 from the Rothschilds to avoid the disputed cuts. Why was this concerning to Britain?

• The British were deeply concerned by development of a distinct Egyptian nationalism which ran counter to their interests, in terms of access to the canal and to the financial management of Egypt.

• The British were deeply concerned by development of a distinct Egyptian nationalism even though it supported Britain’s interests, in terms of access to the canal and to the financial management of Egypt

• The British were deeply concerned by development of a distinct Egyptian nationalism which ran counter to their interests, they were concerned Arabi would take over the Ottoman Empire.

Protecting European money and people: British intervention happened because strategically, the area was too important to them to allow Egyptian nationalists to depose the khedive more specifically…

• By 1880, Britain purchased 80 percent of Egypt's exports (largely cotton) and supplied 44 percent of Egypt's imports. British exports to Egypt in the 1880s were about five percent of Britain’s total exports.

• Protecting European money and people: British intervention happened because of trade. Egypt was an important market for British goods and supplied raw materials to Britain., the area was too important to them to allow Egyptian nationalists to depose the khedive more specifically…

• In the short term, Britain could claim that intervention in Egypt was necessary to prevent European loss of life. On 11 June 1882 in Alexandria, a city of 232,000 where every fifth person was European, tensions in the city boiled over and a row between an Egyptian donkey boy and a Maltese man escalated into violent anti-Christian riots across the city. At least 50 Europeans were killed and perhaps 250 Egyptians.

• The opening of the route to India through the Suez Canal dramatically shortened the journey to India and 80 percent of shipping that travelled through the canal was carried on British ships. It was of paramount importance to Britain.

Protecting European money and people: British intervention happened because economically, from the City of London's perspective, the area was too important to them to allow Egyptian nationalists to depose the khedive more specifically…

• By 1880, Britain purchased 80 percent of Egypt's exports (largely cotton) and supplied 44 percent of Egypt's imports. British exports to Egypt in the 1880s were about five percent of Britain’s total exports.

• Protecting European money and people: British intervention happened because of trade.  Egypt was an important market for British goods and supplied raw materials to Britain., the area was too important to them to allow Egyptian nationalists to depose the khedive more specifically…

• In the short term, Britain could claim that intervention in Egypt was necessary to prevent European loss of life. On 11 June 1882 in Alexandria, a city of 232,000 where every fifth person was European, tensions in the city boiled over and a row between an Egyptian donkey boy and a Maltese man escalated into violent anti-Christian riots across the city. At least 50 Europeans were killed and perhaps 250 Egyptians.

• The opening of the route to India through the Suez Canal dramatically shortened the journey to India and 80 percent of shipping that travelled through the canal was carried on British ships. It was of paramount importance to Britain.