ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions What Happened to Egypt After Napoleon Arrived
On July 1st, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte and his French fleet arrived in Alexandria, Egypt, after a successful stop in Malta. His fleet was massive, with 40,000 soldiers and over 400 ships, each equipped with powerful cannons. Napoleon knew that surprising the Egyptians was crucial, as the local governor, Khurshid Pasha, had only about 500 men to defend the city.
Napoleon’s plan was swift and strategic. Under the cover of night, he launched a three-pronged attack on Alexandria. He had three experienced generals leading the assault: General Menou aimed for the main fort, General Kléber took the center, and Louis André Bon targeted the city gates. The attack began at 2 a.m. on July 2nd. Despite facing strong resistance and suffering injuries, Menou and Kléber pushed forward. Bon’s forces successfully broke through the city gates, leading to chaos and the eventual fall of Alexandria as the French flag was raised over the citadel.
After securing Alexandria, Napoleon set his sights on Cairo. To get there, his army had to cross the harsh Egyptian desert. The journey was tough, with extreme heat, mosquitoes, and a lack of water. Many soldiers fell ill, and morale was low. On July 10th, they reached the Nile River, where desperate soldiers drank too quickly, leading to tragic deaths.
On July 13th, Napoleon’s forces clashed with a Mamluk army led by Murad Bey at the Battle of Schuber Kit. Despite the harsh conditions, the French won, forcing Murad to retreat. On July 21st, they faced the Mamluks again in the famous Battle of the Pyramids. Napoleon used a clever square formation to counter the Mamluk cavalry, leading to a decisive victory. Many Mamluks drowned trying to escape across the Nile.
Following their victory, French soldiers looted the fallen Mamluks, who often wore valuable jewelry. Murad Bey’s co-ruler, Ibrahim Bey, fled Cairo, allowing Napoleon to enter the city without resistance. General Dugua was sent to pursue Murad and Ibrahim into Upper Egypt, achieving further victories.
On September 22nd, Napoleon celebrated the anniversary of the French Republic’s founding with a grand festival in Cairo, featuring a circus and monuments honoring French heroes. However, the celebration was short-lived. A month later, a violent uprising erupted in Cairo, fueled by local leaders and religious figures. The French faced challenges from the British along the coast and Murad Bey in Upper Egypt. The Ottoman Sultan’s manifesto urged Egyptians to resist the French.
The French responded by fortifying their positions and launching counterattacks, eventually regaining control of Cairo after a brutal crackdown. Thousands of Egyptians were killed or wounded. Napoleon imposed heavy taxes and replaced local governance with a French military commission.
With the Cairo revolt suppressed, Napoleon focused on a grand project: building a canal to connect the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, making it easier to reach India. He reinstated local self-government as a goodwill gesture and set out towards the Red Sea with scientists and academics. They arrived at Suez, where Napoleon built fortifications and crossed the Red Sea, uncovering ancient canals and making significant archaeological discoveries.
However, the Ottoman Sultan sent an army to expel the French. Napoleon decided to confront them in Greater Syria. Despite initial successes, his campaign faced setbacks, including a naval defeat at the Battle of the Nile, isolating his troops. In Jaffa, after failed negotiations, Napoleon ordered a brutal assault. The bubonic plague spread among his soldiers, and despite his efforts to care for them, the situation was dire.
Facing increasing challenges, Napoleon’s forces eventually retreated to Egypt. Realizing the need to consolidate power in France, Napoleon returned secretly, leaving General Jean-Baptiste Kléber in charge. In 1800, Kléber was assassinated, and General Jacques François Menou took over, ultimately surrendering Cairo to the British. The French presence in Egypt ended, and the British gained control of the region.
Napoleon’s dreams of expanding his empire in Egypt were thwarted, and he never returned to fulfill his grand plans. His campaign, however, left a lasting impact on Egypt and the study of its ancient history.
Research and create a detailed timeline of the key events from Napoleon’s arrival in Egypt to the end of the French occupation. Include dates, locations, and significant outcomes. This will help you understand the sequence and impact of these historical events.
Divide into groups and role-play a debate between the French forces and the Egyptian leaders. Discuss the motivations, strategies, and consequences of Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt. This will enhance your understanding of the perspectives and challenges faced by both sides.
Examine historical maps of Egypt during Napoleon’s campaign. Identify key locations such as Alexandria, Cairo, and the Red Sea. Analyze how geography influenced military strategies and outcomes. This activity will help you appreciate the strategic importance of these locations.
Conduct a research project on the Battle of the Pyramids. Focus on Napoleon’s military tactics, the composition of the forces, and the battle’s significance. Present your findings to the class to deepen your understanding of this pivotal conflict.
Write a fictional diary entry from the perspective of a French or Egyptian soldier during the campaign. Describe the challenges, emotions, and experiences faced during key events. This will help you empathize with individuals involved in the historical events.
On July 1st, 1798, Napoleon and his French fleet, fresh off a victory in Malta, arrived in Alexandria. The fleet consisted of 40,000 men and over 400 ships, many of which were 200 feet long and equipped with 100 cannons each. The landing was quick and calculated; Napoleon understood that the element of surprise was his greatest ally, as the governor of Alexandria, Khurshid Pasha, was outmanned and outgunned with only around 500 men to defend against the European invaders.
Napoleon’s strategy was efficient. Under the cover of darkness, he launched a multi-pronged attack, advancing in three columns, each targeting a different part of the city. With him were three of his most decorated generals: General Menou led the left column, aiming for the main triangular fort; General Kléber commanded the center; and Louis André Bon took the right, targeting the city gates. At 2 a.m. on July 2nd, the assault began. Menou’s column met fierce resistance at the triangular fort, where cannon fire erupted. Despite being wounded multiple times, he pressed on. Kléber also faced heavy fire and was struck by a bullet but survived and continued to push his men forward. Bon’s column successfully breached the city gates, leading to chaos as French soldiers poured into Alexandria. The defenders were overwhelmed, and it became clear that defeat was inevitable. As dawn broke, the French flag flew over the citadel, marking Alexandria’s fall.
Napoleon, known for his grand gestures, addressed his troops, emphasizing the importance of their mission for France and the advancement of human knowledge. He framed the war as a pursuit of scientific advancement, though his true ambition was to expand his empire, with Egypt’s strategic location being crucial for his plans.
After taking Alexandria, Napoleon set his sights on Cairo, but to reach it, his army had to traverse the harsh Egyptian desert. The march was grueling, plagued by scorching heat, swarms of mosquitoes, and a severe lack of water. Many soldiers suffered from ailments, and morale plummeted. On July 10th, the army finally reached the Nile, where delirious soldiers rushed to drink from the muddy waters, some tragically dying from drinking too quickly.
On July 13th, Napoleon’s forces encountered a Mamluk army led by Murad Bey at the minor battle of Schuber Kit. Despite the brutal conditions, the French emerged victorious, forcing Murad to retreat. On July 21st, the stage was set for one of the campaign’s most iconic battles: the Battle of the Pyramids. Although the French appeared outnumbered, Napoleon employed a brilliant square formation, which effectively countered the Mamluk cavalry. Within two hours, the Mamluks were routed, and many drowned in their attempt to flee across the Nile.
In the aftermath, French soldiers looted the bodies of the fallen Mamluks, who often wore valuable jewelry into battle. Murad Bey’s co-ruler, Ibrahim Bey, abandoned Cairo without a fight, allowing Napoleon to enter the city triumphantly. General Dugua was sent to pursue Murad and Ibrahim into Upper Egypt, where he continued to achieve victories.
On September 22nd, to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the first French Republic, Napoleon organized a grand festival in Cairo, complete with a ceremonial circus and various monuments honoring French revolutionary heroes. He addressed his troops, reminding them of their accomplishments and the significance of their mission. However, the celebration was short-lived, as a violent uprising erupted in Cairo just a month later.
While Napoleon was in Old Cairo, the city erupted in resistance, fueled by local leaders and religious figures. The French command faced significant challenges, with the British still causing trouble along the coast and Murad Bey remaining active in Upper Egypt. The situation escalated as a manifesto from the Ottoman Sultan urged Egyptians to resist the French, labeling them as infidels.
In response, the French fortified their positions and launched counterattacks, eventually regaining control of Cairo after a brutal crackdown on the rebels. By the end of the revolt, thousands of Egyptians were dead or wounded. Napoleon imposed heavy taxes on the city and replaced its local governance with a French military commission.
With the Cairo revolt suppressed, Napoleon turned his attention to a grand project: the construction of a canal connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, facilitating easier access to India. He reinstated local self-government as a gesture of goodwill and set out towards the Red Sea with a team of scientists and academics.
After days of marching, they arrived at Suez, where Napoleon constructed fortifications and successfully crossed the Red Sea. The expedition uncovered the remains of ancient canals, leading to significant archaeological discoveries that would shape the study of Egyptology.
However, the Ottoman Sultan decided to send his army to Egypt to expel the French. Napoleon opted to move his forces north into Greater Syria to confront the Ottoman forces. His campaign faced setbacks, including a significant naval defeat at the Battle of the Nile, which isolated his troops.
Despite initial successes, Napoleon’s forces faced fierce resistance in Jaffa, where he ordered a brutal assault after a failed negotiation. The bubonic plague began to spread among his ranks, and while he was portrayed as caring for his sick soldiers, the reality was grim.
As the campaign continued, Napoleon’s forces faced increasing challenges, leading to their eventual retreat back to Egypt. Recognizing the need to consolidate power in France, he returned secretly, leaving General Jean-Baptiste Kléber in command.
In 1800, Kléber was assassinated, and command passed to General Jacques François Menou, who ultimately surrendered Cairo to the British. The French presence in Egypt came to an end, and the British eventually established control over the region.
Napoleon’s ambitions in Egypt were thwarted, and he never returned to fulfill his grand designs. Thank you for watching. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more stories from history.
Napoleon – A French military leader and emperor who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. – Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt aimed to weaken British influence and expand French territory.
Egypt – A country in northeastern Africa known for its ancient civilization and some of the world’s most famous monuments, including the Giza pyramids and the Great Sphinx. – Egypt’s strategic location made it a focal point for trade and military campaigns throughout history.
Cairo – The capital city of Egypt, known for its rich history and as a center of learning and culture in the Islamic world. – Cairo has been a significant city since its founding in the 10th century and remains a major cultural hub in the Middle East.
Alexandria – A major city in Egypt founded by Alexander the Great, known for its ancient library and as a center of Hellenistic civilization. – Alexandria was once home to the Great Library, one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world.
Pyramids – Massive monumental structures built in ancient Egypt as tombs for pharaohs and their consorts. – The pyramids of Giza are among the most iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Revolt – An uprising or rebellion against an established authority or government, often involving conflict and resistance. – The Egyptian revolt against Ottoman rule in the early 19th century was a significant event in the country’s history.
Soldiers – Individuals who serve in an army and are trained for warfare and defense. – Napoleon’s soldiers faced harsh conditions during their campaign in the Egyptian desert.
Desert – A barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs, making living conditions harsh for plant and animal life. – The Sahara Desert, which covers much of Egypt, played a crucial role in shaping the region’s history and culture.
Nile – The longest river in the world, flowing through northeastern Africa and serving as a vital water source for Egypt and Sudan. – The Nile River was essential to the development of ancient Egyptian civilization, providing water, transportation, and fertile land.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, and the interpretation of those events to understand their impact on the present and future. – Understanding the history of Egypt helps us appreciate its contributions to art, science, and governance.
