T HE S CRAMBLE FOR A FRICA Unit 7 Day 2

Diamonds are Forever

European Imperialism in Africa Colonial Presence in Africa

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Sudan - The Mahdist War  1819 – Muhammad Ali’s forces begin to occupy the Sudan along the southern Nile  The Egyptian administration imposed heavy taxes on the predominantly Islamic (but not Turkish) population and attempted to end the profitable slave trade  1870s – After decades of resentment a cleric, Muhammad Ahmad ( ) began preaching against the Turkish administration, which he believed had broken with Islam, and called for liberation  1881 – Muhammad Ahmad declares himself Mahdi (“Redeemer”) and proclaims jihad against the Egyptian administration Muhammad Ahmad – The Mahdi

Sudan – The Mahdist War  1881 – Mahdist forces succeeded in establishing an independent state  1882 – British took control of Egypt, began to take notice of the cost of continuing war against Sudanese forces, attempt to evacuate Egyptian troops  1884 – British consul sent General Charles “Chinese” Gordon to the city of Khartoum to coordinate the evacuation  Rather than evacuate, Gordon began to administer the city, provoking Mahdist tribes to rebel

Sudan – The Mahdist War  Feb – Jan – Mahdist Forces lay siege to Khartoum  British gov., under P.M. William Gladstone, upset with Gordon, delayed in sending reinforcements  Jan – Khartoum falls, Gordon is beheaded by attacking forces  Six months later Gladstone’s government falls due to popular outcry

Sudan – The Mahdist War  1896 – eleven years later – British forces sent to the Sudan to “avenge” Gordon’s death  Under General Horatio Kirchener, British troops move methodically up the Nile, supported by artillery, machine guns, gunboats, and newly build railroad supply lines  1898 – British forces massacre 11,000 Muslims at Battle of Omdurman