Lect.2.

The experiment of Modernization

By: Dr. Ahmed Ghobashy

Lecturer of Modern & Contemporary History

1- The French expedition 1798-1801

The French expedition on Egypt (known as the expedition of
the east) by Bonaparte was an interaction between two
different civilian types. One is developed and dynamic and

the other is static and deteriorated.

If we compared between both the Egyptian and French

societies, we would find a wide gap, and the balance of both
material and civilian power is to France.
- Egypt: under the ottoman authority, suffering from bad
political, economic, social and cultural circumstances.
- France: supported by important transferences like :
- The French revolution and the conversion to the republican
system , The industrial revolution in whole Europe

, the religious reformation and the appearance of the

protestant sect by Martin Luther.

The purpose:-
- By the occupation of Egypt, France would control the trade
road to the east and to prevent England to reach its
provinces in India.
- To create an ideal French Colony in the east.
 The French army reached Alexandria on 1st of July, and from
the 1st moment Napoleon aimed to defeat the Egyptian
Physiologically by his nonsense statement directed to the
Egyptian that he is Moslem and respects Islam.

- Any way, they could defeat the Turco-Mamluki army and

captured Egypt for 3 years till 1801, leaving a lot of civilian
influences.
The Civilian influences of the French expedition
*Arts and science committee:
- Consisted of 175 scientists, came with Napoleon as a part
of the expedition in different majors of science and art.
- As soon as their arrival to Egypt , they were divided into 3
sections Cairo , Alexandria an Rosetta.
*The scientific complex:
- Established by the order of Bonaparte on 21st August
1798, it was divided into 4 main sections: -
Physics and math
Arts
Economy
Literature
The main task of complex is to make studies and researches
and public its outcomes, as well as acting as a consulting
agency for the government.
Rosetta stone
Decoding the symbol of the ancient Egyptian language By
Champlion in 1822 as well as the beginning of new science
known as Egyptology.
Jacotan Map and the 1st map for the Egyptian Country.
 A trial of joining the Red sea and the Mediterranean , but
failed because mathematical assuming that the level of the Red
sea is 9,10 m higher than the Mediterranean which made it
impossible.
The Journey of Denon to upper Egypt
-He was a painter, he went to Upper Egypt he drew all the
monuments and temples and also the Nile way from Aswan to
Cairo
-He discovered the Zodiac in temple of Dendra.
-He recorded his journey in a book known as (journeys to upper
and Lower Egypt).
* The Book of description of Egypt:-
Contains all the researches of the expedition scientists. Its
divided into 3 main sections
- The ancient history
- The modern history
- The natural history
The most important influence of the French expedition , was
indirect , was uprising the national spirit of Egyptians , through
the 1st and 2nd Cairo revolution , really it was the 1 st page on
along honorable history of struggle . Participation of Egyptian is
administrative affairs (Cairo Dewan) found national leadership
able to lead and deal with different powers on the political
theater.
The question is, did we consider the French expedition the
begging of modernization in Egypt or they introduced Egypt to
the west and opened a window on Egypt for the imperialist
powers?