What nation colonized this country? What was the attitude of the colonial power to independence?
Egypt was fairly unknown to Europe by the late 18th century. There was much Muslim vs. Christian bitterness over the crusades that led to no communication. A turning point came when Napoleon invaded the western mouth of the Nile in 1798 to disrupt British trade with India. He failed, but kindled wider European interest in the region.
This depicts the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, where Britain defeated Egypt
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Egypt was officially under Ottoman rule from 1811 until 1882. There was heavy British influence, as they wanted to stabilize the region in order to make it most economically lucrative for themselves. The situation helped their relationship with India.
British involvement in Egyptian Government increased under Ismail’s rule (1863-1879), as the country desperately needed economic guidance. But Britain didn’t want to rule Egypt as long as it was “well-run and hospitable,” according to Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston, meaning that Britain could trade there freely. Once Ismail’s son Tewfik took over, however, the country descended into madness (near “anarchy”) and Egyptian nationalists became uncontrollable. Britain feared their power, so they invaded, captured the Suez Canal, and took over Egypt in August 1882. |