The expansion of the British Empire in Africa; the Suez Canal and Egypt

British Expansion in Africa:

Download (image/jpeg)

Caption: : British Expansion in Africa

This was called the 'Swing to the East'.There were many reasons for British expansion into Africa, including: Trade & Economy Personal Influence Strategic Factors Moral Factors Adventure & Exploration

Reasons for Expansion in Africa

All of the reasons given for expansion in Africa on the previous slide are explained in more detail on the attached mind map:

• Reasons for Expansion

Extent of African Expansion:

From 1857 - 1890, GB was more reactive to other powers.They tried to match the claims of other countries.Companies were chartered so that Europeans couldn't be involved with lucrative British bases.Only in Egypt was there any direct intervention.

Britain & Egypt:

Canal Opening (image/jpeg)

Caption: : Suez Canal Opening

Intervention here started during the American Civil War (1861 - 1865), as GB mills were starved of raw cotton.GB companies invested in the production of Egyptian cotton and Isma'il Pasha's modernisation programme.By the 1870's, 40% of Egypt's imports came from GBIsma'il Pasha started irrigation, railways, schools, street lighting and the Suez Canal projects.The Suez Canal connected the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.It helped with trade to India and China - the route to India was 6,000 miles shorter than that via. the Cape.

The Suez Canal:

1854 - 1856: Ferdinand de Lesseps got a concession from Egypt to set up the Suez Canal Company in 1858.They ran the canal for 99 years (from 1869)GB didn't buy shares at first, as they thought it would be unsuitable for large ships.The canal reduced the profits of GB traders in the Cape.

1875: Isma'il faced increasing debts and wanted a buyer for Egypt's shares in the canal for $4 million.Benjamin Disraeli (GB Prime Minister) bought them without parliamentary consent.This gave GB more control over the passage to India and income from shipping tariffs.

Establishing Control in Egypt:

300px Anglo Egyptian War (image/jpeg)

Caption: : Arabi Pasha's Revolt

Isma'il was deposed in 1879 because of domestic and Anglo-French pressure. Tewfiq was installed as Khedive and GB money helped Egypt - taxes were imposed and the army was reduced by 2/3. This increased unemployment and led to a nationalist rebellion by Colonel Arabi Pasha. June 1882: Violence led to the deaths of 50 Europeans. William Gladstone (GB Prime minister at the time) intervened, and Sir Garnet Wolseley secured the Suez Canal. He defeated Arabi's forces at Tel-el-Kebir before Tewfiq was restored as puppet ruler. Evelyn Baring installed as consul-general. GB influence confirmed by the 1885 Convention of London - securing an international loan for Egyptian government.

The Sudan:

Muhammad Ahmad Al Mahdi 1 (image/jpeg)

Caption: : Muhammad Ahmad

Colonel Charles Gordon was sent as Governor-General to Sudan From 1877 - 1880. Opposed by Muhammad Ahmad who proclaimed himself the 'Mahdi' in June 1881. He changed a political movement to a jihadist army to liberate Sudan from external rule. By 1882, they had control over the area around Khartoum. 1883: A counter-attack was launched, but Gladstone ordered the removal of forces from Khartoum in 1884. They were overrun in January 1885, but Gladstone didn't intervene further.