Beginnings of Colonization
Trade between Europe and Egypt had existed long before it began to be colonized during the 18th century. France was the first to attempt colonize Egypt in 1798. Napoleon's attempt at capturing Egypt was based on his aims of weakening the British access to British India and expanding his own empire. This venture proved unsuccessful as they were defeated by the Egyptians. British colonization of Egypt was much more successful. British interest in Egypt was peaked when the Suez Canal they had been funding opened in 1869. Egypt was in great debt because of the construction of the canal and the British offered to help by buying their shares and so established economic control of Egypt. Egypt was officially declared a British protectorate during WWI, where the British wanted to protect their oil and passage to the Suez.
Trade between Europe and Egypt had existed long before it began to be colonized during the 18th century. France was the first to attempt colonize Egypt in 1798. Napoleon's attempt at capturing Egypt was based on his aims of weakening the British access to British India and expanding his own empire. This venture proved unsuccessful as they were defeated by the Egyptians. British colonization of Egypt was much more successful. British interest in Egypt was peaked when the Suez Canal they had been funding opened in 1869. Egypt was in great debt because of the construction of the canal and the British offered to help by buying their shares and so established economic control of Egypt. Egypt was officially declared a British protectorate during WWI, where the British wanted to protect their oil and passage to the Suez.
Illustration of the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
Funded by the British to gain economic control of Egypt. A faster route from Europe to India and greater access to trade through the Suez Canal were the largest reasons for Britain to try to keep Egypt as a colony and deny independence even after WWII.
Achieving Independence
1922: Britain granted Egypt partial independence because they thought it better to gave power to pro-British government rather than wait for Nationalists to take over. This was a puppet government, with Britain retaining power over foreign relations and defense, still running Egypt as a protectorate.
1951: By the 1950s the people of Egypt were sick of the puppet government and took to the streets burning flags and taking part in violent protests. In 1948 the Prime Minister had been assassinated and as the British didn't have enough resources to control the uprisings, a state of emergency was declared in 1951.
1952: General Gamal Abdel Nasser participates in a coup that ousts the King of Egypt signalling the symbolic end of British rule in Egypt. After a couple hundred had died, British and American governments agreed not to aid King Farouk and the revolution was successful.
1953: After the not so bloody revolution and diplomatic resolution in 1952, On June 18, 1953, Egypt was declared a Republic with General Naquib as the first President.
1956: Building up support of the public and others in the government through strengthened domestic policies, General Nasser became president.
1922: Britain granted Egypt partial independence because they thought it better to gave power to pro-British government rather than wait for Nationalists to take over. This was a puppet government, with Britain retaining power over foreign relations and defense, still running Egypt as a protectorate.
1951: By the 1950s the people of Egypt were sick of the puppet government and took to the streets burning flags and taking part in violent protests. In 1948 the Prime Minister had been assassinated and as the British didn't have enough resources to control the uprisings, a state of emergency was declared in 1951.
1952: General Gamal Abdel Nasser participates in a coup that ousts the King of Egypt signalling the symbolic end of British rule in Egypt. After a couple hundred had died, British and American governments agreed not to aid King Farouk and the revolution was successful.
1953: After the not so bloody revolution and diplomatic resolution in 1952, On June 18, 1953, Egypt was declared a Republic with General Naquib as the first President.
1956: Building up support of the public and others in the government through strengthened domestic policies, General Nasser became president.