When World War One broke out, Egypt found itself in an awkward position. At that time, it was a province of the Ottoman Empire, which was fighting the British and French who occupied it. The Europeans then stepped in and took control of the country. The khedive was deposed in favor of his uncle, Hussein Kamil, who became sultan of Egypt. After that, Egypt became a British protectorate, and Turks, Germans, and Austro-Hungarian residents were forced into internment camps. Most nationalists were exiled to Malta.
Egypt was forced to support the British war machine as a British protectorate. English troops and refugees fleeing the war in Anatolia and southern Europe flooded into Egypt. The influx of new people created a huge shortage: food prices rose, rationing was implemented, and famine occurred. Egypt was largely untouched by the war: the only casualty in Egypt was a woman walking her dog who was killed by a bomb dropped from a zeppelin. The Khedive died at the end of the war, and Ismail’s twelfth son, Fuad, became the new Khedive.
Egypt’s politicians demanded the British withdraw immediately after the war ended. The request was denied, and opposition again erupted in Egypt. Saad Zaghlul was a politician and friend of Lord Cromer, who led a group of activists called the Wafd, which means “delegation.”. He led protests and actively opposed the British. They were arrested and deported, including Saad Zaghlul. In response, the Egyptians took to the streets and burned British-related buildings. Strikes, riots, and terrorism halted the country’s progress. In response, the British agreed to withdraw in 1922 and grant Egypt independence under certain conditions.
Here are stunning historical photos that show Egypt in the 1910s. Also, check Egypt at the turn of the 20th century.
