Contours of the World Economy 1-2030 AD by Maddison Angus;

Author:Maddison, Angus;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press USA - OSO
Published: 2007-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

The Napoleonic Invasion and its Impact, 1798–1805

The political and socioeconomic order in Egypt was transformed by the French invasion and occupation of 1798–1801. It shattered the corrupt and incompetent Mamluk elite, destroyed their military, and demolished their property rights. It demonstrated the value of western education and organization. It revolutionized the study of Egyptian history in a way which reinforced national consciousness. Within four years of the French departure, Egypt had acquired a new political leadership which modernized the country, reformed its economy, and changed the mode of governance.

The French invasion was conceived and organized by Napoleon. In 1796–7 he had conducted a lightning campaign which transformed the political landscape of Italy, creating the Cisalpine republic which stretched from the Alps to Tuscany and Bologna, displacing the Genoese oligarchy by a Ligurian republic. A Roman republic replaced the Papal states, and the Pope was exiled to France. Napoleon advanced close to Vienna and dictated peace terms, reconciling Austria to its losses by handing over the Venetian republic. When he returned to Paris in December 1797, the directory asked the 28-year-old general to organize an invasion of England. In February 1798, he visited Dunkirk and the Flemish coast to examine the troops and ships assembled there. He decided the resources were inadequate, and concluded that he could damage British interests more effectively and with much less risk by making Egypt a French colony, constructing a canal through the isthmus of Suez and threatening British access to India. The directory agreed and gave him command of a force financed from the large indemnities extorted from Italy and Switzerland.

His expedition departed from Toulon and Italian ports in mid-May 1798. The army consisted of 35,000 troops, 26 handpicked generals, 300 laundresses and seamstresses, 700 horses, siege artillery, guns, and ammunition. The naval force included 13 ships of the line, seven frigates, eight gunboats, more than 200 troop transports and 15,000 sailors. In addition there was a scientific contingent of 150 scholars to survey Egypt’s resources and reconstruct its history. These savants included mathematicians, geographers, surveyors, engineers, chemists, medical personnel, archaeologists, a botanist, a zoologist, a mineralogist, an authority on balloon warfare, a flower painter, a musician, and a poet. There were also translators and a printing press equipped with Arabic characters. Vivant Denon was a key figure—a draughtsman and engraver who had organized the selection and transfer of captured works of art in the Italian campaign and helped cataloque the antiquities and buildings which were identified in the 24 volume Description de l’Egypte (1810–22).

On 9 June, the journey was broken for ten days to capture Malta. The knightly order of St John was dissolved, the administration was re-ordered, a garrison was left behind, and Napoleon sailed off with their treasure.

Alexandria was captured easily at the end of June. Mamluk forces (10,000 cavalry and 16,000 infantry) tried to block entry to Cairo but were defeated with small French casualties three weeks later. The remnants fled to Palestine and Upper Egypt.

Established in Cairo, Napoleon set out to create a new colonial adminstration and tax system.

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