Name: Sbusisiwe Senamile
Student number: 62272764
Module name: HSY1601
Assignment 1
Semester 1
Unique number: 818378
, Napoleon’s failure to establish a permanent French presence in Egypt can be
attributed to a number of reasons which were built up to his eventual defeat by the
British-Ottoman. In the essay the topics that will be discussed include the
background information on the history of the French occupation. Napoleon’s
strategic reasons for occupying the North African country. The explanation of the
policies that alienated the Egyptians and why the French alienated them.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s reasons for occupying Egypt was to take control of the
country itself and colonize it successfully1. This also included Napoleon using
Egypt’s economy in order to keep him in his ‘clique’ of being one of the most
powerful countries which were referred to as the super powers (Germany, USA,
Britain, and Russia). France wanted to do anything in their power to try and
modernize the Egyptians and changing their ‘barbaric’ ways and introducing the
modern world to them. The French had stepped in the territory of the Mamluks who
were abusing the Egyptians, after the war between Napoleon’s troops the French
fought a hard fight but succeeded at the end.2 However with their success it became
difficult for Napoleon to try and manipulate those at their most vulnerable time after
the suffering they faced .But his reforming strategies proved to be unsuccessful and
the invasion to Egypt was not properly planned either.
The policies that were implemented on the Egyptians by the French were harsh on
them. These policies were an attempt to consolidate French power on Egypt
especially by Napoleon. Napoleon wanted the Egyptians to dedicate their Friday
prayer by worshiping him and he also thought of himself as a demigod, in turn the
Egyptians viewed this act as blasphemy as they already believed in their God which
was Allah. Napoleon ordered the Egyptians to wear colours that were associated
with the French Republic in order for them to show their full support for the French as
they were their saviours from the brutally they faced previously so they remained
sceptical of their true intentions. The French wanted them to show their loyalty to
them. The French thought that it was necessary in order to civilise their ‘barbaric’
ways and their ‘odd’ traditional customs which Napoleon pretended to show interest
in because he was trying to win them over.
1
Tutorial letter 301 for HSY2601 ,p 27
2
Student number: 62272764
Module name: HSY1601
Assignment 1
Semester 1
Unique number: 818378
, Napoleon’s failure to establish a permanent French presence in Egypt can be
attributed to a number of reasons which were built up to his eventual defeat by the
British-Ottoman. In the essay the topics that will be discussed include the
background information on the history of the French occupation. Napoleon’s
strategic reasons for occupying the North African country. The explanation of the
policies that alienated the Egyptians and why the French alienated them.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s reasons for occupying Egypt was to take control of the
country itself and colonize it successfully1. This also included Napoleon using
Egypt’s economy in order to keep him in his ‘clique’ of being one of the most
powerful countries which were referred to as the super powers (Germany, USA,
Britain, and Russia). France wanted to do anything in their power to try and
modernize the Egyptians and changing their ‘barbaric’ ways and introducing the
modern world to them. The French had stepped in the territory of the Mamluks who
were abusing the Egyptians, after the war between Napoleon’s troops the French
fought a hard fight but succeeded at the end.2 However with their success it became
difficult for Napoleon to try and manipulate those at their most vulnerable time after
the suffering they faced .But his reforming strategies proved to be unsuccessful and
the invasion to Egypt was not properly planned either.
The policies that were implemented on the Egyptians by the French were harsh on
them. These policies were an attempt to consolidate French power on Egypt
especially by Napoleon. Napoleon wanted the Egyptians to dedicate their Friday
prayer by worshiping him and he also thought of himself as a demigod, in turn the
Egyptians viewed this act as blasphemy as they already believed in their God which
was Allah. Napoleon ordered the Egyptians to wear colours that were associated
with the French Republic in order for them to show their full support for the French as
they were their saviours from the brutally they faced previously so they remained
sceptical of their true intentions. The French wanted them to show their loyalty to
them. The French thought that it was necessary in order to civilise their ‘barbaric’
ways and their ‘odd’ traditional customs which Napoleon pretended to show interest
in because he was trying to win them over.
1
Tutorial letter 301 for HSY2601 ,p 27
2
