Anglo-Egyptian War

Quick Facts: Who was Anglo-Egyptian War?

Subject:

Anglo-Egyptian War

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The 1882 British military conquest and occupation of Egypt, ending local autonomy.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The British conquest of Egypt, also known as the 2nd Anglo-Egyptian War (Arabic: الحرب الإنجليزية المصرية, romanised: al-Ḥarb al-Injlīzīyah al-Miṣrīyah), occurred in 1882 between mostly Egyptian and Sudanese forces under Ahmed ‘Urabi and the United Kingdom. Egypt was a country under growing foreign influence from global powers during the 19th century. In the early 1880s, the situation became explosive following the revolt of an army officer, Ahmed 'Urabi, against Tewfik Pasha, alongside the growth of anarchist numbers in the country. The British intervened with the support of other colonial powers to colonise Egypt and succeeded in crushing the Egyptian-Sudanese forces. The anarchists who attempted to join the revolt were cut off from the insurgent troops and were unable to do so.

Career & Major Achievements

Ultimately, the war ended with a significant British takeover and occupation, the trial and exile of 'Urabi, the firm entry of Egypt into the British colonial empire, and the crushing of the anarchist movement in Egypt for at least two decades. It established firm British influence over Egypt at the expense of the Egyptians, the French, and the Ottoman Empire, whose already weak authority became nominal. In 1881, an Egyptian army officer, Ahmed ‘Urabi (then known in English as Arabi Pasha), mutinied and initiated a coup against Tewfik Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, in order to end British and French influence over the country. In January 1882 the British and French governments sent a "Joint Note" to the Egyptian government, declaring their recognition of the Khedive's authority. On 20 May, British and French warships arrived off the coast of Alexandria.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 11 June, an anti-European riot occurred in Alexandria that killed 50 Europeans. Colonel ‘Urabi ordered his forces to put down the riot, but Europeans fled the city and ‘Urabi's army began fortifying the town. The French fleet was recalled to France. The British ultimatum was rejected, and the Egyptian forces began to wait for retaliation. In parallel with these developments, there was a growing community of anarchists in the country, mostly drawn from Italian settlers.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1881: 1881 Milestone — In 1881, an Egyptian army officer, Ahmed ‘Urabi (then known in English as Arabi Pasha), mutinied and initiated a coup against Tewfik Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, in order to end British and French influence over the country.
2. 1882: 1882 Milestone — The British conquest of Egypt, also known as the 2nd Anglo-Egyptian War (Arabic: الحرب الإنجليزية المصرية, romanised: al-Ḥarb al-Injlīzīyah al-Miṣrīyah), occurred in 1882 between mostly Egyptian and Sudanese forces under Ahmed ‘Urabi and the United Kingdom.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Anglo-Egyptian War

True or False: “Did the initial conflict leading to the war primarily involve only Egyptian forces against British troops?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The conflict involved multiple factions, including Sudanese forces under Ahmed 'Urabi and anarchist groups, alongside the intervention of the United Kingdom.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. Milne — Historical peer (Born in 1882) (1882): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Abd el-Krim — Historical peer (Born in 1882) (1882): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Alcide De Gasperi — Historical peer (Born in 1881) (1881): Key statesman who led Italy through its post-war reconstruction and founding of the EU.
• Aleksey Pisemsky — Historical peer (Died in 1881) (1881): A prominent Russian novelist and dramatist, contemporary to Turgenev and Dostoyevsky.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anglo-Egyptian War