19th century Egypt

19th-century Egypt was a period of significant change, involving internal reforms and external influences. Under Muhammad Ali in the early 1800s, Egypt modernized its military, economy, and administration, laying the groundwork for national independence. Later, it faced increased European intervention, especially from Britain and France, driven by strategic and economic interests. The Suez Canal, opened in 1869, boosted trade but also heightened foreign control. This era saw the decline of Ottoman authority over Egypt, rising nationalist sentiments, and efforts to balance modernization with sovereignty amid colonial pressures.