Historica Olomucensia

The Era of Lord Cromer: The British in Egypt in Years 1892-1907

The paper deals with the analysis of British-Egyptian relations in years 1892-1907, when a post of the British Consul - General in Cairo was held by Lord Cromer. At the end of 1890s the occupation of Egypt gained a long-term character, which led to more intensive interference of the British into the course of the Egyptian administration. When Khedive Tawfīq died in January 1892, the British position became more complicated as a consequence of the succession of his Anglophobic son Abbas II Hilmi. The following two years Lord Cromer had to struggle with Khedive's attitudes that gradually crystallised against the British presence in the country. Although crises in the course of the period of 1893-1894 lasted shortly and were non-violent, they left traces in British-Egyptian relations. As the time went, a strong nationalistic movement against the British presence in the country arouse. Despite the fact that Lord Cromer attempted to persuade Egyptians about positive aspects of a long-term British occupation, the nationalistic tendencies still grew stronger. As a turning point in Cromer's era may be considered the so-called Dinshaway incident, which was supported by the British public opinion for the first time since 1882 and which contributed to Cromer's leaving of Egypt.

Keywords: British foreign policy, history of Egypt, British colonial policy, Lord Cromer, British-Egyptian relations