Question

What were the main factors that led to the British occupation of Egypt? In your answer, try to cover the rise of Western influence under Mehmet Ali’s successors and the reasons that compelled the British to invade and stay in Egypt. Not to forget the importance of the Suez Canal.

Answer 1

About 1875-1882, an economic and political depression led to Egypt 's sudden British invasion. Egypt went bankrupt in 1875 after bingeing on debt-driven modernization programmes .European bankers then financially gained ownership of Egypt under the terms of the debt settlement. Two-thirds of the annual income will now go to paying European banks for former Egyptian loans, mainly taxes raised from peasant farmers Much of Egypt 's revenues, railways, docks, post offices, and even museums were managed by the British and French. Any Egyptians were resentful of European economic influence and the theft of loan interest rates.

In 1882, to put down a rebellion by Egyptian army soldiers, the British invaded and captured Egypt. The Khedive was overthrown by Colonel Urabi of the Egyptian army, with support from dissatisfied officers. Urabi looked and dressed like the Arab peasants who called him "el Wahid," or "the only one." The British were, of course, afraid that the Suez Canal would fall into the hands of an unfriendly force. Egyptian crowds rampaged and killed 50 Europeans when the British sent the navy to bombard Alexandria from the sea. The British invaded both ends of the Suez Canal with the help of the Khedive, sailed to the midpoint, and hurried to Cairo, using a new railroad to carry supplies. Urabi capitulated. Although Urabi had only 16,000 poorly trained soldiers with old rifles and swords, the British had an army of 31,000. Egypt was now kept by Britain as a virtual colony, which also granted them responsibility for the southern territories Egypt had controlled in Sudan.