Policy in Egypt

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Imperial Policy in Egypt

Britain strove to assert control over Egypt. This was limited by strained relations between the Brits and the native population.

In 1900, Egypt was still not a formal British colony. Instead, British military troops occupied Egypt but did not formally rule the country. The country formally was a Turkish/Ottoman property.
British citizens in Egypt relied on something called 'The Capitulations' to protect them from Muslim laws, allowing them to act freely and in line with their Christian beliefs.

50% of Egypt's tax revenue was paid to a consortium of European creditors (or bondholders). This limited where Britain could allocate Egypt's budget (this was named the Caisse de la Dette).
Britain influenced Egyptian policy but had to stay in-line with Turkish and Muslim values and the financial demands of European rivals like Germany & Italy.

British policy in Egypt was led by the Consul General Evelyn Baring (Lord Cromer) from 1883 to 1907.
There was a partially elected parliament, but all Egyptian ministers had the ‘support’ of a British advisor, meaning they were effectively chosen by Baring.

Baring improved the efficiency of Egyptian farming, tried to cut government spending to repay Egypt's European creditors, and encouraged tourism in Egypt.
- Thomas Cook & Son, founded in 1841, funnelled rich British tourists to Egypt in the Baring era.
The productivity of Egypt's cotton and sugar industries rose by 200% under Baring's rule and in 1902, he presided over the construction of the Aswan Dam (which provided water for irrigation in the agricultural industry).

During Baring's time as Consul-General of Egypt, over 5,000 British soldiers were added to Egypt's military forces. This allowed Britain to control Egypt's army, as well as its finances and policy, despite it being a Turkish-owned region.

The Denshawai incident occurred in 1906. After the Denshawai incident, Evelyn Baring was replaced by Gorst (1907-11).

The Denshawai incident occurred in 1906.
- This was an Anglo-Egyptian clash surrounding a pigeon shooting incident that left an Egyptian wounded and a British officer killed.
- Britain’s heavy-handed response saw four Egyptians sentenced to death.
- Baring resigned amidst the controversy surrounding British rule in Egypt.

Mustafa Kamil Pasha led Egyptian nationalism at the start of the 20th Century. He had been educated in France and was versed in the French Revolution against an overbearing ruler.
Wilfrid Blunt led the cause for Egyptian nationalism from the UK with his book in 1907, The Secret History of the English Occupation in Egypt.
Deprivation for the Egyptian population, caused by World War 1 would cause anti-British sentiment and Egyptian nationalism to rise.
However, The upper class typically benefited from British occupation.

After the Denshawai incident, Evelyn Baring was replaced by Gorst (1907-11).
- Gorst brought more Egyptians into government and tightened censorship against the press to reduce the pro-nationalist stories being published.

Gorst was replaced by Kitchener (1911-14) who led Britain's military forays into Sudan a decade before. Kitchener increased British control of Egypt up to the start of World War One.
In 1914, Britain was formally at war with the Ottoman Empire, the owner of Egypt. Britain removed the Khedive, replaced him with a pro-British supporter and declared that Egypt had become a British protectorate in November 1914.