Imperialism In Egypt

Egypt has had a long list of foreign rulers such as the Ottoman Empire, France, and as recent in modern history, the British throughout its ancient existence. Colonial rule was a part of life in Egypt for the longest while until the fight for independence spearheaded after the end of World War I. Why should a country with as rich of a history as Egypt have to answer to foreign rule from the West? The Ottoman’s rule that was in place for centuries was replaced by that of the British, and that is not what the Egyptians sought for when looking to distance themselves from the Ottomans. Egypt didn’t have to experience the fighting on their homeland during the Great War, however was used as a staging point for the British to attack other Islamic
Students and peasants would rise up in defiance of the British protectorate and join in the rally for independence, followed by landowners. The government would shut down when their officials would go on strike. The destruction of property would ensue when peasants would attack the railroad, tearing up the tracks, burning railcars, and killing British soldiers. The British would not sit by idly and watch their people be killed and the country that they control fall into chaos. They would counterattack the civilian protestors with their army and squash the two-month insurrection, killing at least 800 Egyptians and wounding at least another
Egypt would renegotiate terms with Britain in 1942 as the Axis powers were on the verge of reaching the Suez Canal and Britain would remain through World War 2 even with the vast majority of the population unhappy and discrediting British rule. Egypt was essential to Britain strategically in the war, so it became a focal point of attacks by Germany. With the constant raids happening against the harbors of Egypt. These attacks caused inflation in the economy, famine, and the bread riots in Cairo in 1942. With the majority of their food supplies being seized and used for the Allied forces, supply was becoming short for the people. The country reorganized their infrastructure and began to become a more autonomous industry creating their own goods. The war created a rift between the people and the governing authorities over the next several years after the war. The Ward Party would help upstart the Arab League to help promote regional economic, political, and cultural cooperation. Egypt was in the forefront of the Arab League and when the formation of a Jewish state in Palestine occurred in 1947 with the help of the West, they would object