Egypt Initiates Reform Egypt makes political and social reform to block the Europeans Egypt’s location plays important role in France and Britain actions Muhammad Ali leader of Egypt Fought battles to gain control of Syria & Arabia

Muhammad Ali Recognized as hereditary rulers of Egypt Reforms in military and economy Shift in agriculture to plantation cash crop (cotton) Loss of food hurt the peasants

Suez Canal Ali’s grandson constructed the Suez Canal to modernize Egypt Connects Red Sea to Mediterranean Built with French money Opened 1869 Projects became to costly British took financial control of the canal

Persia Changing Britain & Russia competed for Persia Russia wanted to control Persian Gulf & the Indian Ocean Britain interest increased after the finding of oil 1908 Persia lack capital to develop its resources

Persia Changing Persia granted concessions to Western business to raise money Gave the right to operate in a certain area or develop a certain product Ex: Anglo-Persian Oil Company

Battle over Tabacco Tension between corrupt rulers & people People feared change Rulers wanted to sell all concessions to Europe Jamal al-Din al-Afghani called for a boycott Riots broke out and forced cancel concessions

Battle over Tabacco In 1906 a group of revolutionaries forced the ruler to establish a constitution In 1907 Russia & Britain took over the country and divided into spheres of influence In Muslim lands, European imperialists gained control by using economic imperialism to create spheres of influence India grew because of imperialist Britain