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Created by engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps with international shares. French companies had controlling shares.
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Grand opening, e.g. Verdi commissioned to write an opera.
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Buys 44% shares from Khedive Isma'il for £4 million, without the approval of Parliament.
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Buys 44% shares from Khedive Isma'il for £4 million, without the approval of Parliament.
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Due to disastrous economic management after attempted modernisation schemes. Replaced by son Tewfiq. Dual control: British and French ministers formed the Caisse de la Dette Publique to manage Egyptian economy. British commissioner Lord Dufferin placed in charge of government revenues.
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Arabi Pasha aimed to depose Tewfiq and reduce foreign influence in Egypt. Followed increasing unrest about taxes imposed on Egypt by British ministers and the cutting of the army by 2/3 (unemployment).
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Egypt was a defacto British colony under nominal Ottoman rule, with the Khedive directed by a Consul-General. In 1914, Egypt was declared a formal Protectorate after the Ottomans sided with the Central Powers at the outbreak of WW1.
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After 50 Europeans were killed in anti-European riots in Alexandria, British sent 15 ironclad gunboats. Bombardment lasted for 10.5 hours from 7am, fired at key defensive positions e.g. Fort Ada. French chose not to intervene. Tewfiq was restored as ruler and British troops moved into Egypt to crush the nationalist movement.
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Garnet Wolseley commanded Anglo-Egyptian forces and won the battle. Arabi was captured and British troops occupied Egypt. Evelyn Baring was installed as Consul-General of Egypt with Tewfiq remaining as a puppet ruler.
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Muslim cleric Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself the Mahdi in June 1881 and built a jihadist army. Defeated Anglo-Egyptian forces led by Colonel William Hicks at the Battle of Shayakan.
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Secured international loans for Egypt and solidified British influence. French unable to do anything, as they had not intervened to defeat Urabi. Military personnel and political/economic 'advisors' put in place in Egyptian government departments.
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After defeat at Shayakan, Gladstone sent Gordon to oversee withdrawal of British forces from Sudan, but Gordon chose to stay and called for reinforcements. Public pressure for Gladstone to provide relief: sent soldiers, but they arrived too late. Khartoum under siege March 84- Jan 85. Beheaded, became a national martyr, e.g. painting 'General Gordon's Last Stand' (George William Joy).
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Anglo-Egyptian army under Kitchener defeated the Mahdists at the Battle of Omdurman. Anglo-Egyptian condominium was created in Sudan, with a Governor-General that was appointed by the Khedive but nominated by the British.