Question

Using information you have learned in the lesson as well as evidence from the documents in the assignment, write one to two paragraphs in response to this prompt: Why was Great Britain determined to exercise imperialism in the Middle East?

Answer 1

The main reason why Great Britain was determined to exercise imperialism in the Middle East was to actually keep control over the Suez Canal. This canal provided the shortest route of transport between Great Britain and its colonies in Asia. Without this route, Britain would have had difficulties controlling the Asian colonies.

Answer 2

Great Britain had important financial interests in the region and used imperialism to protect them. First, the Suez Canal was important to the British colony of India and allowed it to transport goods more quickly. Persia provided important resources, such as oil and rich farmland for growing tobacco and cotton. Great Britain had invested heavily in Egypt and created a protectorate to ensure that it could sell its goods in Egyptian markets.