French Egypt?

Just a simple question: is there any way to get a French rather than British controlled Egypt with a PoD between 1815 and 1882?
 
In order to get the French in Egypt instead of the British, the British have to lose both influence and interest in India. As long as the British are concerned about India, they will be interested in Egypt. Before the Suez Canal Egypt represents a way to pass messages to ships in the Red Sea to their interests in India. After the canal, well lets just say that there was a reason why India became independent before Egypt IRL.
 
This is hard. You'd have to either remove all British interest in India and China, or make Britain a second-rate power so that it can only protest at a f French Egypt. Both are extremely hard to do with a POD between 1815-1882. Egypt is just too important as a route to India, the crown jewel of the British Empire.
 
In order to get the French in Egypt instead of the British, the British have to lose both influence and interest in India. As long as the British are concerned about India, they will be interested in Egypt. Before the Suez Canal Egypt represents a way to pass messages to ships in the Red Sea to their interests in India. After the canal, well lets just say that there was a reason why India became independent before Egypt IRL.
Err... I've been reading up on the Suez Canal recently, and a French aligned Egypt was precisely what was happening at the time. It's one of the reasons why Britain fought AGAINST the Suez Canal, which was so much in their interest. The Brits supported the Ottomans, and the French supported the Egyptians.

The reason that Egypt came under British influence was that Egypt went essentially bankrupt - and sold all their shares to the British government. THis, combined with other debt owed Britain (gov't? banks?) allowed Britain to come in.

So if Egypt hadn't been quite so profligate in spending (e.g. if they'd realized that the ACW era high cotton prices weren't going to last), then the Brits wouldn't have had an excuse, and Egypt would have stayed in the French sphere.
 
Err... I've been reading up on the Suez Canal recently, and a French aligned Egypt was precisely what was happening at the time. It's one of the reasons why Britain fought AGAINST the Suez Canal, which was so much in their interest. The Brits supported the Ottomans, and the French supported the Egyptians.

The reason that Egypt came under British influence was that Egypt went essentially bankrupt - and sold all their shares to the British government. THis, combined with other debt owed Britain (gov't? banks?) allowed Britain to come in.

So if Egypt hadn't been quite so profligate in spending (e.g. if they'd realized that the ACW era high cotton prices weren't going to last), then the Brits wouldn't have had an excuse, and Egypt would have stayed in the French sphere.
But still, Egypt is just too strategically important as a route to India via the Suez Canal. If Britain wants Egypt, it will get it. India was the center of British strategy at this time. It was to be protected at all costs. Especially after 1871, France is in no position to go pisssing off the most powerful country in the world by holding on to a potential route to India. Before 1871, France might be able/willing to hold it. After, Britain as an ally is much more useful to France than Egypt. They will sell it a) to pay reparations to Germany, or b) to buy a firm alliance with Britain.
 
But still, Egypt is just too strategically important as a route to India via the Suez Canal. If Britain wants Egypt, it will get it. India was the center of British strategy at this time. It was to be protected at all costs. Especially after 1871, France is in no position to go pisssing off the most powerful country in the world by holding on to a potential route to India. Before 1871, France might be able/willing to hold it. After, Britain as an ally is much more useful to France than Egypt. They will sell it a) to pay reparations to Germany, or b) to buy a firm alliance with Britain.

Just a few thoughts IF Egypt had Continued under French influence and had managed to avoid its Financial disaster that enabled Britain to step in. they would be a French protectorate NOT a colony. the Khedive is going to still have some freedom of action on his own within the Ottoman empire to make his own deals with the British regarding access to the canal. Indeed I expect the that in the wake of 1872 the Khedive is going to find himself in a position to act as broker to a earlier Anglo-French rapproachement. As long as the French dissuade the Khedive from any outright moves to severe ties outright with the Ottomans Then there is no reason for the British/Ottoman's to come to blows with the Franco-Egyptians ( I am guessing we will end with a Franco-Egyptian Sudan in this case)

Without overt British interests in Egypt they will focus more on the Ottoman's themselves, strengthening them perhaps in the coming Balkan crises and perhaps realigning Ottoman foreign policy as well. A cordial understanding with a French protected Khedivate will be a necessity Given British commercial ties to Br. India. France will be seeking allies in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and an end to its isolation if it can. It does not mean they are going to give up their position of influence in Egypt but they are likely to be considerate of British needs in regard access to India. Some prid pro quo is likely. Both were more than willing to compromise where they could and avoid outright war. France because they were isolated and not up to challenging the British on their own in a slugfest and confident of coming out on top... and Britain because of their continuing rivalry with Russia and the rising commercial competition from Germany.

by the way as long as Egypt is a protectorate within the OE its not likely to be sold to anyone. as the Sultan is still the nominal overall sovereign.
 
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