1.1.4

History of Egypt

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History of Egypt from 1517–1870

Egypt has historically been a land of great importance due to its location between the African and Asian continents and rich natural resources. Egypt was ruled by foreign powers from the 16th century up until the mid-20th century.

Ottoman rule

Ottoman rule

  • Egypt was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1517, which was then ruled by Selim I (also known as Selim the Grim).
French occupation

French occupation

  • From 1798–1801, Napoleon's French campaign occupied Egypt.
  • The occupation of Egypt was an important trade hub for the French, preventing Britain from using Egypt as a route to India.
  • The Rosetta Stone was discovered by a French soldier in 1799 and was the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.
The 1800s

The 1800s

  • The French were forced out of Egypt in 1801 by British and Ottoman forces.
  • Muhammad Ali Pasha, an Albanian Ottoman governor, took control of Egypt following the expulsion of Napoleon.
  • Muhammad Ali declared himself the Khedive (Viceroy) of Egypt.
  • Egypt was still technically part of the Ottoman Empire but it was autonomously ruled by Muhammad Ali.
The 1860s

The 1860s

  • The power of the Ottoman Empire began to struggle to defend many of its territories.
  • By 1863, the Khedivate of Egypt had been succeeded by Muhammad Ali's grandson Ismai'l Pasha.
American Civil War

American Civil War

  • The American Civil War of 1861–1865 erupted due to the continued enslavement of black people.
  • Cotton that was picked by black slaves was a lucrative commodity.
  • Britain was reliant on this cotton as a raw material in its textile revolution.
  • President Lincoln's Union forces blocked the trade of cotton from the Southern Confederacy, and Britain looked elsewhere to import cotton.
Increased involvement in Egypt

Increased involvement in Egypt

  • During the American Civil War, Britain began to import large quantities of Egyptian cotton.
  • This increased investment in Egypt led Isma'il Pasha to begin an extensive program of westernised reform, including the construction of the Suez canal.
Jump to other topics
1

High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914

1.1

Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890

1.1.1Empires over Time1.1.2Key Questions About Empires1.1.3Expansion into Africa1.1.4History of Egypt1.1.5Control of Egypt1.1.6Control of Sudan
1.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890

1.2.1The British Empire & India1.2.2The British Raj1.2.3International Relations with other Powers1.2.4Scramble for Africa1.2.5The Informal Empire
1.3

Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890

1.3.1Trade & Commerce in the Empire1.3.2Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce1.3.3Products of Trade & Commerce
1.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890

1.4.1Explorers1.4.2Missionaries1.4.3Traders & Colonial Administrators1.4.4Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism
1.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890

1.5.1Relations with India1.5.2Relations with South Africa1.5.3British-Boer Relations
2

Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914

2.1

Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914

2.1.1Consolidation & Expansion into Africa2.1.2Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa2.1.3Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa
2.2

Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914

2.2.1Policy in India2.2.2Policy in Egypt2.2.3Native Policy in Colonies2.2.4International Relations with Other Powers
2.3

Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914

2.3.1The Benefits of Trade2.3.2Costs of the Empire2.3.3Debates Over Trade
2.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

2.4.1Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes2.4.2Key Administrators - Baring & Milner2.4.3Key Administrators - Curzon2.4.4Government Attitudes to the Empire2.4.5National Efficiency & the Boer War2.4.6Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism
2.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914

2.5.1Challenges in India2.5.2Challenges in Africa2.5.3Challenges in South Africa2.5.4Historical Interpretations of the Boer War2.5.5Relations & Business with Iran
3

Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967

3.1

Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947

3.1.1Impact of WW13.1.2Palestine3.1.3Ireland & WW13.1.4Impact of WW2 on the British Empire
3.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947

3.2.1Administration in India & Palestine3.2.2Administration in Iraq & the Dominions3.2.3Imperial Defence
3.3

Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War

3.3.1Economic Impact of WW13.3.2Inter-War Trade & Commerce3.3.3Economic Impact of WW2
3.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914

3.4.1Colonial Administrators3.4.2Trusteeship3.4.3Gandhi3.4.4Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow3.4.5Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins3.4.6Imperialist Ideals
3.5

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947

3.5.1Ireland & India 1914-19473.5.2The Middle East and Africa
4

The Wind of Change, 1947-1967

4.1

Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967

4.1.1Reasons for Decolonisation4.1.2Decolonisation in East & West Africa4.1.3Decolonisation in Central & South Africa4.1.4Decolonisation in Asia
4.2

Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967

4.2.1Relations & Business with Iran after WW24.2.2The 'Winds of Change'4.2.3The Suez Canal Crisis - 19564.2.4International Relations 1947-1967
4.3

Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967

4.3.1The Economic Impact of WW2
4.4

Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967

4.4.1Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke4.4.2Local Leaders in the Independence Movement4.4.3Pan-Africanism in Nationalism
4.5

Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967

4.5.1Windrush & Immigration4.5.2Commonwealth Immigrants Act4.5.3Residual Impact of the Empire
4.6

Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967

4.6.1Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 19474.6.2Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising4.6.3Nigeria & Rhodesia

Practice questions on History of Egypt

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  1. 1
    In which year did the Ottoman Empire capture Egypt?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Who was the first Khedive of Egypt?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Why did Britain import cotton from Egypt instead of America?Multiple choice
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Expansion into Africa

Control of Egypt