Just a simple question: is there any way to get a French rather than British controlled Egypt with a PoD between 1815 and 1882?
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.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.
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.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.