Chapter 12New Imperialism

Section 3 European Challenges to the Muslim World

Setting the Scene

''Europe is a molehill” said Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797. He felt it offered too few chances for

glory. "We must go to the East," he declared. "All great glory has been acquired there." In 1798, he put his thoughts into action by invading Egypt, a

province of the Ottoman empire.

Napoleon's Egyptian campaign highlighted Ottoman decline and opened a new era of

European contact with the Muslim world. In the early 1800s, European countries were just

nibbling at the edges of the Muslim world. Before long, they would strike at its heartlands.

I. Stresses in the Muslim WorldIn the 1500s, three Muslim empires ruled - the Mughals in India, the Ottomans in the Middle East, and the Safavids in Iran.

I. Stresses in the Muslim WorldThe Muslim empires declined due to weak governments, corruption, and discontent

Revolts during the 17th century Mughal Empire

I. Stresses in the Muslim WorldIn the 1700s and early 1800s, reform movements stressed religious piety and strict rules of behavior

I. Stresses in the Muslim World

The Wahhabis revolt against Ottoman rule was crushed but the Wahhabi movement survived

I. Stresses in the Muslim WorldIn the 1880s, Muhammad Ahmad claimed he was the Mahdi and resisted British expansion into the Sudan

Muhammad Ahmed Al Mahdi 1845 - 1885

I. Stresses in the Muslim World

The Muslim empire faced western imperialism and Europeans won trading treaties

II. Problems for the Ottoman Empire

Ideas of nationalism spread, weakening the Ottoman Empire as territories broke away

II. Problems for the Ottoman Empire

European states sought to benefit from the break-up of the Ottoman empire

II. Problems for the Ottoman Empire

In the 1890s, the liberal Young Turks insisted that reform was the only way to save the empire

II. Problems for the Ottoman Empire

Tensions between Turkish nationalists triggered a brutal genocide of the Armenians

III. Egypt Seeks to Modernize

Muhammad Ali, appointed governor in 1805, is sometimes called the "father of modern Egypt"

Mehemet 'Ali (1769-1849)

III. Egypt Seeks to Modernize

Ali introduced political and economic reforms and turned Egypt into a Middle Eastern power

III. Egypt Seeks to Modernize

In 1859 the French built the Suez Canal linking the Mediterranean and Red seas

III. Egypt Seeks to Modernize

In 1875, Egypt was forced to sell its shares in the canal and Britain gained control

'The Lion's Share' of Suez Canal Gives Britain the Key to India

III. Egypt Seeks to Modernize

When Egyptian nationalists revolted in 1882, Britain took control and made Egypt a protectorate

IV. Iran and the European Powers

The Qajar shahs, who ruled Iran from 1794 to 1925, exercised absolute power like the Safavids before them

IV. Iran and the European Powers

Although they did make some reforms, it did not save Iran from western imperialism

IV. Iran and the European Powers

Russia and Britain set up spheres of influence, outraging nationalists and dividing the Iranians