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Period: to
Egypt Imperialism
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Battle of the Pyramids
Napoleon went to Egypt to destroy British trade. He defeated the Mameluke Army at the Battle of the Pyramids. The British came back and destroyed his fleet at Aboukir Bay. -
Mehemet Ali
Mehemet Ali created his own independent government in Egypt. When he died in 1849, he had accomplished many things. He invaded the Sudan and Syria, created an educational system, nationalized all farm land, reformed and expanded the army, and introduced new crops and technology. -
Robert Stephenson's Railroad Completed
This railroad improved the route between the port of Alexandria and the Gulr of Suez. It sped up communications between Britain and India but it could not handle bulk cargo. It was also put to good use in organizing military forces. -
Suez Canal
This canal was built with the French people's money but with the Egyptians work. The Egyptians spent most of their money the first day the canal opened which caused them to go in debt. Even though it was a loss for Egypt, the Suez Canal was very successful during this time because it provided a sea route from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. -
Ismail's Government
Ismail's government asked for British financial advisors. Disraeli sent Stephen Case to take a look at Egypt's economic system. He stated that Egypt's economy was mostly stable but needed extra European help. The governments of France and Britain sent people to monitor Egyptian finances. -
Tewfik's Government
Egyptian military officers stood up to Tewfik's government twice. Both times by Colonel Ahmed Arabi Pasha. In return, Tewfik replaced Prime Minister Cherif Pasha with Mahmound Pasha Sami. Then Sami chose Arabi Pasha to controal one of the government ministries. -
Anglo-French Joint Note
This was signed by France and Britain to try and strengthen Tewfik. By signing this, they pledged to support Tewfik against anyone who disturbed the peace. This act backfired on them. The Egyptians saw it as a signal that the Europeans were going to invade them to protect Tewfik. On June 11, Egyptians rioted in Alexandria and killed aroung 50 Europeans. In response, on Jult 11, Britain bombarded Alexandria. Arabi's army then cut off Alexandria's water supplies. -
Revolts
Arabi Pasha formed a revolt from the Egyptian army. Riots also started against the Europeans in Egypts. The French didn't want to participate in the bombardment of Alexandria because of political problems. The Arabists were defeated at Tel el-Kabir and Cairo was taken over the day after. -
Britain Imperializes Egypt
The British imperialized Egypt after war with Egypt's army lead by Orabi Pacha near Cairo. They wanted to control Egypt so they could secure the main route to India, Malaya, Australia and New Zealand. -
Egypts Independence
Independence had finally arrived for Egypt, but it was not what they had hoped for. A constitution was made by the National Assembly and Egypt was officially a parliamentary monarchy. Fuad I, the son of Ismail, took the title of king. A parliamentary system was made of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate.
