Trace and Tell your Family's Empire Stories
Country Histories
Egypt did not become exposed to European imperial expansion until the Napoleonic Wars at the end of the eighteenth century. But its strategic location as a bridge between the Mediterranean and Red Seas made inevitable the crucial role it came to play in the development of the global trading system.
Although it remained technically part of the Ottoman Empire until 1914, both Britain and France competed to dominate Egyptian politics throughout the nineteenth century. Both countries played a crucial role in Egypt's modernisation in that period, which saw rapid change and reform.
The completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 had a dramatic impact on the world's economy, and protecting the Canal was henceforward a matter of the utmost strategic significance. Fears over the stability of the Ottoman system led Britain to occupy Egypt between 1882 and 1936. British officials oversaw all aspects of government administration in what became known as 'the veiled protectorate'.
Relations between Britain and Egypt became increasingly strained in the post-war period. The United States and the Soviet Union replaced Britain and France as the most important foreign rivals for influence during the Cold War. Following the Egyptian nationalisation of the Suez Canal in 1956, the Eden Government colluded with France and Israel to attack Egypt. Forced to withdraw after only a week, the episode was a milestone in the decline of Britain's status as a world power.
Browser by chapterEuropeans from many countries came to Egypt to work in a variety of capacities. Following the imposition of the Dual Control system, they arrived in greater numbers to work as civil servants for the Egyptian government, and were paid wages far in excess of their Egyptian counterparts. Egypt was seen as a useful training ground for young officials with ambitions to serve elsewhere in the Empire.
A colonial lifestyle developed, as institutions were founded to serve the needs of this community that became symbols of hatred among many Egyptians.
The English Agency (which still serves as the British Embassy in Cairo) was built in the colonial style under Lord Cromer. The headquarters of the British occupation in Egypt, it became famous for the quality of its food and entertainment. A new ballroom was built following the appointment of Lord Kitchener (1850-1916) in 1911 as consul-general so that he could entertain on an even grander scale.
The Gezira club was founded in 1882 for the Agency on land provided by the 'khedive' (viceroy) Tawfiq Pasha (1852-92), and included a golf course, polo lawn, a racecourse and tennis courts. Membership included wealthy Egyptians as well as Europeans. Several other clubs were established on the model of the English gentleman's club, including the Turf, founded in the 1890s in downtown Cairo. Both Shepheard's Hotel and the Turf Club were burned during anti-British riots in 1952.
