AP Euro DBQ Sudan Crisis
DBQ #6
Analyze the pressures on Great Britain's Liberal government during the Sudan crisis (1884-1885), and explain why the government acted as it did. During the Sudan crisis in 1884-1885, Great Britain’s Liberal government was under much pressure. Much of government action was led by Prime Minister William Gladstone. The Sudan crisis was when a Sudanese Muslim religious leader, Mahdi, rebelled against the Egyptian rule and foreign (British) control. This threatened the British citizens inhabiting Egypt at the time and also the Suez Canal, referred to as the lifeline of the empire. Gladstone, in attempt to protect the economic and political interests of Great Britain, released a command force under the leadership of General Gordon (document 1). Instead, Mahdi and his forces defeated Gordon’s troops, who were supposedly more technologically advanced, in the garrison at Khartoum. Not only this, but Mahdi also defeated the Egyptian military (document 2). Gordon was now desperate for help, but by early 1884, his communication sources had been cut off and liberal Parliament trying to decide whether to support or abandon him (documents 6 and 7). Conservative members of Parliament felt that military action should be taken against the Sudanese by grounds that Mahdi’s revolt would damage the reputation of Britain and threaten political and economic aspects. On the other hand, liberal members of Parliament (including Gladstone) felt that military force should be used to rescue Gordon and his troops, but did not want to provoke the declaration of war against the Sudanese. The theme of government pressures was divided among the conservative side of Parliament versus the liberal side of Parliament. The conservators of Parliament argued the a war with the Mahdi was the only presentable solution to the Sudan crisis. The Sudanese revolt threatened the British economy and if Britain did not act upon that threat, foreign relations would be put in danger. The conservative party
Analyze the pressures on Great Britain's Liberal government during the Sudan crisis (1884-1885), and explain why the government acted as it did. During the Sudan crisis in 1884-1885, Great Britain’s Liberal government was under much pressure. Much of government action was led by Prime Minister William Gladstone. The Sudan crisis was when a Sudanese Muslim religious leader, Mahdi, rebelled against the Egyptian rule and foreign (British) control. This threatened the British citizens inhabiting Egypt at the time and also the Suez Canal, referred to as the lifeline of the empire. Gladstone, in attempt to protect the economic and political interests of Great Britain, released a command force under the leadership of General Gordon (document 1). Instead, Mahdi and his forces defeated Gordon’s troops, who were supposedly more technologically advanced, in the garrison at Khartoum. Not only this, but Mahdi also defeated the Egyptian military (document 2). Gordon was now desperate for help, but by early 1884, his communication sources had been cut off and liberal Parliament trying to decide whether to support or abandon him (documents 6 and 7). Conservative members of Parliament felt that military action should be taken against the Sudanese by grounds that Mahdi’s revolt would damage the reputation of Britain and threaten political and economic aspects. On the other hand, liberal members of Parliament (including Gladstone) felt that military force should be used to rescue Gordon and his troops, but did not want to provoke the declaration of war against the Sudanese. The theme of government pressures was divided among the conservative side of Parliament versus the liberal side of Parliament. The conservators of Parliament argued the a war with the Mahdi was the only presentable solution to the Sudan crisis. The Sudanese revolt threatened the British economy and if Britain did not act upon that threat, foreign relations would be put in danger. The conservative party