British Control

While the British ceased to physically occupy Egypt in 1803, the country's location proved to be a great resource for years. Egypt was a major producer of cotton; this meant that, while the British had intended to use the location only for communication with India, they could profit from it as well.¹

Muhammad Sa'id Pasha took power in 1854, but the massive debt that the country fell into under his rule caused a direct British takeover in 1863.² The British placed a man names Lord Kitchner in charge; he brought the country out of debt easily, and politically the country flourished; however, the common people suffered. Education was poor, and poverty and starvation ran rampant; the country was producing tons of goods, but the people could not eat cotton.³

Overview

Egypt has been a location for fighting and unrest for hundreds of years. The Malmuk Sultanate was the last independent country prior to Egypt's colonalzation, and remained so for many years afterward. The Sultanate was overthrown in 1517, when the Ottoman Turks took power.¹

The Turks remained in power until Napolean saw the perfect opportunity to throw a spanner in the works that were British communications. In 1798, the French took control, where they managed to hold power until 1801, when the British decided it was time for a new regime.²

The British physically occupied Egypt en masse for only two years; however, they left a heavy hand in the political matters of the country for almost one hundred and fifty years.³