Essay Sample about Colonization of Egypt

The Colonization in Egypt began in 1882 when the British gained control over the nations. The Berlin conference (1884-1885) regulated rules for trade in Africa and for European colonization. Culture, education, political disruption/ conflict, and especially the economy was all heavily influenced during this time period. Colonization refers to “The policy of acquiring and maintaining colonies, especially for exploitation.” The country known as Egypt was imperialized by Britain because of its natural resources and trade routes which impacted Egypt through westernization and forced economic dependence.  

Britain occupied Egypt for resources, money, power, and trade routes. Two of the motivations that appealed to Britain were the Suez Canal and the reliable food sources that they had to offer. Britain wanted to keep control of the trade route that ran through Egypt to the Red Sea and then to India. With the advantage of gaining control of Egypt, Britain decided to heavily tax ships that passed through the trade routes which brought a lot of money. In addition, Egypt’s cotton and raw materials helped ameliorate industrialization making this an important market for them to sell to. The Suez Canal was seen as a strategic waterway for imperialistic campaigns and was demanded by multiple European nations such as France and Britain. The Suez Canal was completed in 1869 and connected the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea. The river made the area around it very fertilized when it would flood. In the river, it carries sand, clay, and other materials that would be deposited in the land. The British used these resources to feed their people in Africa. It made the distance between Europe and India, China, and Japan shorter. During the British imperialism in India, Britain used to refer to the Suez Canal as the lifeline of the British Empire due to it having direct and quicker routes to its colonies. This canal was also very profitable because everyone wanted to use it, so the British taxed the countries making Britain’s economy more vigorous. Egypt also became a big producer of cotton and was an important factor in building an industrialized economy. 

Although Britain brought education, agriculture, and technology, Britain greatly impacted economic dependence. Britain took control of the canal allowing them to earn tons of money being a major part of the world's trade routes. This being in Britain’s control made them have power over global trade taking over Egypt’s freedom and their westernization.  The stabilization of Egypt’s economy was better to improve emerged into the expansion of infrastructure. When the British first arrived, they brought technological advancements in weaponry, agriculture, etc. The British helped modernize Egypt in this way. Not only did the British bring new technology they also educated some Egyptians in things like engineering and medicine. However, the natural resources that Britain wanted as well as the trade routes forced economic dependence. This economic dependence gave the Egyptians very minimal freedom. In 1820-1824, the beginning of cotton influenced agriculture into a cash-crop culture. This shifted production towards international markets having foreigners arriving and land ownerships being concentrated. At this point, Egypt was greatly controlled by Britain, Egypt having little to no freedom.

This colonization also fabricated social disputes, riots, and protests.  In 1881, Egypt underwent uproars with its society and government. There was an increase of protesting and riots by Islamic nationalism. This conflict led to a lot of the country being taken over and European nations and Tewfik Pasha losing control. Tewfik Pasha (1852-1892) was a ruler during the British occupation in 1882. In fear of the nationalists gaining control over the Suez Canal, Britain countered this militarily to redeem Tefik Pasha in hopes for everything to go back to normal. Around a year later Britain restored Tewfik to power and defeated the nationalists. This led to Britain taking control of the Suez Canal. Egypt became enslaved by Britain and was heavily influenced by the British. Throughout the remainder of the 19th century and 20th century, the British continued to rule over Egypt. Egypt developed global conflict because of the colonial status with Britain with the outbreak of WW1, Britain used Egypt as a British base to carry out attacks against Turkey. A lot of the conflict was about the possession of the Suez Canal. Household necessity prices grew exponentially because of WW1. Women were also greatly affected during this time giving them dangerous, low-paying jobs. On top of that, The British assembled animals that the Egyptians used as a necessity for survival such as food supplies. Adding onto the unease that Egypt had, a spring occurred through 1919-1921 against the British colonizers. There were many protests, riots, and guerilla warfare against Britain. This resulted in Egypt gaining independence from Britain in 1922 yet still being influenced by Britain. Along with this, there were also Anti-British riots from 1952-to 1953 that lead up to around 20 people being killed in riots. With this in mind, we know that the colonial status caused major global conflict.

The Imperialism of Egypt greatly impacted their economic dependence and created global conflict. The Suez Canal was a vital factor of Britain’s success in colonizing Egypt having power over a global trade route and their natural resources. Britain taking over Egypt’s biggest international trade routes influenced their freedom and westernization. In conclusion, Britain occupied Egypt for its resources, money, power, and trade routes.