Imperialism in the Middle East World History Macdonald

Background Colonization of Middle East usually b/c of geopolitics (taking of land for position or products) Most Middle Eastern leaders tried to modernize to stop imperialism

Egypt Egypt’s location at head of Red Sea valuable to Europeans b/c of control of trade

Egypt Modernizes Egypt’s leader Muhammad Ali tried to modernize to keep out foreigners Began growing cash crops – cotton made $ b/c sold to industrialized countries Hurt peasants b/c lost land & food

Egypt Modernizes 2. Built Suez Canal – man-made canal to connect Red Sea to Mediterranean Borrowed $ from England Couldn’t pay interest on debt British took over canal & occupied Egypt to protect investment

Persia Wanted to modernize, but didn’t have $ to do so To raise $, rulers began giving European businesses the right to operate in a certain area or control a certain product Ex. British company had control of oil fields

Riots Lead to Colonization Many ppl in Persia didn’t want to give up control of products to Europeans Religious Muslim leaders thought European influence was ungodly Tensions rose between ppl & gov’t – led to riots & gov’t couldn’t control ppl Businesses at risk due to riots, Europeans wanted to make sure investments made $, so Russia & Britain took over country