Steambreathers: The Triumphs and Tribulations of the Modern Egyptian Nation

[Mango Soup]

Muhammad Ali of Egypt with his son, Ibrahim
​

As the year 1840 progressed, the armies of Muhammad Ali Pasha of Egypt stood firm at the great Euphrates river. For the Albanian military man, the circumstances were a dream come true. His son had occupied the long coveted land of the Levant, all the while thwarting the Ottomans at Nizib. What's more, he had control of the Ottoman navy, one which would have been a thorn in the side of the ambitious leader. If the conflict was over here, he thought, he would have carved out a nice state for himself and his successors. However, the leader was a man of grandiosity, and his son/general, Ibrahim, had greater aims: The conquest of Constantinople. Rather than carving out a state from the "sick man of Europe", Ibrahim envisioned his family as the hegemon of the vast, albeit ailing, realm. Perhaps his family could restore the nation to its former glory, when it was Europe's scourge rather than its pawn.

Ibrahim's plan would have to rely on one thing: The support of more governors, especially from the European eyalets. Many were impressed with the economic and military development of Egypt, and if Constantinople were to fall to Muhammad Ali's armies, he was confident their support would fall to them in no time.

So it was set. The armies, 40,000-45,000 strong with ample reinforcements on the way, would make the trek towards Constantinople, once the city of the world's desire.[1]

Ironically, the European powers would decide the fate of this nation. Much of Europe was watching with a concerned and panicked eye, each with its own desires and goals. At the time, the powers of the continent were in a string of alliances and uncertainties. Many states seeked a stable, albeit weak, Ottoman state to keep stability in the region. For the United Kingdom, this was a must. One of her greatest fears was Russian control of the Bosphorus straits, dragging the Balkans into its sphere of influence.[2] The UK found agreement with this in Austria, and thus both moved to oppose Ottoman collapse.

Russia, of course, would vastly enjoy more influence in the region. A destabilized Ottoman empire, however, could leave a lot of variables at play. Nothing would be worse than another nation filling the Ottomans void. However, this seemed less and less likely. Russian diplomats and leaders would have to figure out how much they could get away with without antagonizing British or Austrian diplomats.

And then, there was France. France, after recently conquering the vast expanses of Algeria, desired to increase its outreach in Northern Africa, of which pitted it against the Ottomans. Also coveted was expanding its trade influence into the Levant and the greater Middle East. However, Russian control of the Bosphorus was just as undesirable to French interests as the rest of the European powers. Besides, the Napoleonic wars were still fresh in the memories of the French government. So it appeared that the best case scenario would be to weaken the Ottoman Empire without allowing too much Russian interference or provoking the British. With this in mind, the French set out to negotiate peace. While France rushed to insure a favorable peace for them and the Egyptians, the British and Austrians would begin to work out a solution of their own

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[1] - Here is our first major POD. Unlike OTL, Muhammad Ali adheres to the will of his son, and begins to lead a campaign to Constantinople. The more hasty approach here causes the European powers to panic, act faster, and ultimately, concede more.

[2] - This was a concern of the UK that would lead to the Crimean War in OTL. In this situation, the relationship between the two states sour just a little earlier.

 

[phil03]

It has been a while since I considering that particular POD (Mehmet Ali winning his gamble) one of the most underused interesting one but I didn't think myself versed enough on the topic to give it justice

Happy to see some taking the mantle.

 

[CountPeter]

Love this idea! Consider this followed!

 

[Mango Soup]

Sultan Abdülmecid I of the Ottoman Empire
​

For the 16 year old Abdülmecid, this was truly a baptism by fire. Inheriting an ailing empire embroiled in a calamitous war with a long time subject was certainly an interesting way to enjoy his first year as a leader. Now, Abdülmecid was an educated young man, and he already knew of the affairs this crisis sprung up in Europe. What he could not entirely count on was how much support from Britain he could get, nor whether Russia would act as a friend, foe, or simply a passing observer.

The first he heard from Europe came not from Britain, but from France[1]. In June of 1840, he met with the diplomatic team of French prime minister Adolphe Thiers. Both knowing full well of the oncoming advancements of the Egyptian Armies, the young sultan began to look towards peace. The ceding of Syria and greater Independence for the Alawiyya realms, as well as some other minor concessions, seemed a generous offer to Muhammad Ali. It would be a great boon to the advancement of the Ottoman Empire, true, but it was certainly preferable to losing reign over the whole empire. Throughout the meetings he would also get guarantees from Britain and Austria, but odd silence from the Russian empire. His advisers were split on the matter themselves, some wishing to go through with the French proposal, others pleading to wait for British aid.

Meanwhile in England, British, Austrian, and Prussian[2] diplomats and generals were racing to reach a conclusion on a solution to what was dubbed "The Oriental Crisis". Thus began the Convention of London. Throughout 7 days of meeting, the group converged on a final set of concessions and demands, as followed:

• The Ottoman Empire would seed the Sidon and Tripoli eyalets, putting them under direct control of Muhammad Ali and the Alawiyya realms
• The Defected Ottoman fleet would be returned to Sultan Abdülmecid I
• The areas under Alawiyya control would remain part of the Ottoman Empire
• If he delayed acceptance 10 days, he would lose the Tripoli eyalet
• If he delayed acceptance 15 days, he would lose the Sidon eyalet
• If he delayed 25 days, he would lose all terms of the pact

Unfortunately for the convention, before even these terms were agreed upon, something would strain their chances...

Rumors reached the Sultan of the potential that Mehmed Dilaver Pasha of Rumelia, as well as some officials in both the Rumelia and Silistra Eyalets, were planning to defect towards Muhammad Ali if it looked likely that they would succeed. Whether this is true in the case of Mehmed is still debated to this day, but had they reached Constantinople it was almost certain most of the Balkans would follow suit. Regardless, this news was especially concerning to Abdülmecid, fearing any instability in the Balkans, no matter the nature of the revolt, would deal great damage to the empire, or even worse, bring in the Russians. Thus, it appeared to the young sultan, his hands would be tied.

Ibrahim Pasha was surprised when he got news of Sultan Abdülmecid's request: A meeting in Aleppo to discuss terms of peace. Despite British protest, they met on the 19th of July, 1840. Despite Ibrahim's disappointment and persuasion towards his father to continue on, they signed on the agreements set between the Abdülmecid, Muhammad Ali, and Adolphe Thiers. Finally Muhammad had achieved his dream. Syria was his[3], and he finally had absolute power over his territories, only decades after from when he was a loyal member of the Ottoman military. Not all was good in the new sultanate, though.

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[1] - Funny enough, Abdülmecid was fluent in French, the first Ottoman Sultan to be so

[2] - Noticeably absent, Russia

[3] - One month later, an insurgency in Syria will happen. This happened in OTL

Next update will go through the effects in Britain and Europe, as well as detail the first few turbulent years of Egypt.

 

[Cuāuhtemōc]

You have my attention! More pls!

 

[Capuleten]

Really cool idea and really cool name! I'll be keeping an eye on this.

 

[Mango Soup]

Muhammad Ali now ruled a kingdom from Aleppo to Bahri. He had achieved his dream of an Egypt that reached the Tigris and Euphrates. Now, at the age of 71, he had the job of keeping together this new empire, ensuring it survives its infancy as an independent realm. His first test would be an insurgency in the newly conquered region of Syria. Peasants in Syria and the Levant , many of whom originated from Egypt themselves, were staunchly opposed to the rulers Corvée labor system and restrictive taxation. To deal with this problem, he would again send his son Ibrahim. Ibrahim had gained a reputation as almost an enforcer of the Alawiyya dynasty, renowned for his conquests in Hidjaz, Greece, and of course, the war against the Ottomans themselves.

Muhammad Ali, 1842​

While the low level insurgency smoldered in Syria, in the domestic front, Muhammad Ali proved a capable, albeit flawed ruler. The economy flourished while, quite hypocritically for a staunch protectionist, trade between Egypt and France began to open up. This would be the start of a long, though sometimes turbulent, relationship between France and Egypt. Along with that, came an interest in expanding the nations light industry. Cotton and Textiles, since the beginning of his reign as a Vali, had proved a substantial source of income. Well known for his land reform, before the end of his reign, he would extend these reforms to Syria in the immediate aftermath of the insurrection.

However, the now Sultans insistence on keeping his sizable military slowed the growth of the Egyptian economy. Furthermore, his extensive conscription program, for both military and civil service, was unfavorable to the nations vast peasantry, to the point of fleeing the country (when possible) and self-mutilation to get themselves marked exempt from service. Things would continue to take a turn for the worse in 1845, when the sultan began to go senile. Bouts of extreme paranoia and delusions began to take a toll on the aging septuagenarian sultan. From 1846 to 1848, his son Ibrahim would practically rule the nation himself. Finally, in November of 1848, a severe bout of dysentery, his second in 20 years, would claim his life. Muhammad Ali would be fondly remembered by historians and Egyptian nationals, while considered a bane and a scourge to the Ottoman Empire and fierce Turkish nationals. Ibrahim's rule became legitimate and actual, stylizing himself Sultan Ibrahim I.

Flag of the Sultanate of Egypt (1841-1856)
​

While Egypt enjoyed a somewhat prosperous first decade, the same could not be said for the once mighty Ottoman Empire. It is probably unfair to say Sultan Abdülmecid I was a bad ruler, especially giving the circumstances he inherited, but he was certainly unpopular. Despite everything, he admired the domestic policies of Muhammad Ali and Ibrahim, and actively worked to attempt modernization of the Ottoman state. In 1843 he would introduce paper banknotes, while attempting to revise the Ottoman financial system. While forgoing drastic conscription like Egypt, he also began to reorganize and modernize the military. Britain would prove a viable partner to the nation, fearing the Russians as well as growing French and Egyptian strength in the Mediterranean. Abdülmecid also had a penchant for institutional and secular education, attempting to open several universities throughout his reign. However, he would remain despised throughout the empire as the emperor that lost Egypt and Syria. On July 18th 1846[1], he would be found dead. The death would be ruled a suicide[2], though this fact has been debated by many scholars and historians. On one hand, staging a suicide would have done well to remove the hated Emperor. Then again, the sultan was reported as a very weary and sullen individual, especially near the last two years of his reign. His uncle, Numan[3], would take the throne

One nation that should also be mentioned in this excerpt of Egyptian history is the United Kingdom. Immediately following the conclusion of the Oriental crisis, British politicians and generals, as well as much of the general public, felt humiliated over the ordeal. The British had held hegemony over the Mediterranean sea, and there a new, powerful nation had just risen over their watch. While, the situation was vastly preferable to what could have been: A total collapse of the Ottoman Empire and Russian advancements into the Balkans, they still felt they had lost in the situation. However, much of the animosity was directed at France. The July monarchy and the British crown had established great relations and trust with one another, and here they just worked against their interests. It was a slight that would be remembered.

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[1] - Ironically close to the ending of the Egyptian-Ottoman War
[2] - Surprisingly a common occurrence for the 19th century Ottoman Empire
[3] - Abdülaziz will be relevant later

 

[Mango Soup]

OOC: Hello, and happy independence day to my fellow American users.

For today, I just have a quick map of the current expanse of Egypt, right before the death of Sultan Ibrahim I. Next couple of updates should be within the next few days

 

[Taloc13]

Hmm.. looks interesting. Watched.
PS: Isn't Libya supposed to under Egyptian control?