History of Egypt
History: KS3, topic 14.1.4
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
- Egypt was captured by the Ottoman Empire in 1517, which was then ruled by Selim I (also known as Selim the Grim).
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 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 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
- 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
- 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.
Test yourself on History of Egypt
In which year did the Ottoman Empire capture Egypt?
Who was the first Khedive of Egypt?
Why did Britain import cotton from Egypt instead of America?