British Protectorate Declared:
- On August 4, 1914, Great Britain declared Egypt a protectorate after the start of World War I. This officially ended the nominal Ottoman suzerainty and established Britain's dominant position in Egypt.
Deposition of Khedive Abbas Hilmi II:
- Khedive Abbas Hilmi II, the ruler of Egypt at the time, had pro-Ottoman sympathies and opposed Britain's actions. Consequently, on August 5, 1914, the British compelled Abbas Hilmi II to abdicate. He was the last khedive of Egypt.
Accession of Sultan Hussein Kamel:
- Following Abbas Hilmi II's deposition, his uncle, Hussein Kamel, was proclaimed as the new Sultan of Egypt by the British authorities. The title change from Khedive to Sultan emphasized Egyptian autonomy within the British protectorate.
Entry into World War I:
- With Egypt now fully under British control, it automatically became part of the British Empire's war effort. The Egyptian government supported the war by providing both material and financial assistance to the British.
Egyptian Troops in World War I:
- While there were Egyptian soldiers who contributed to the war effort by offering logistical and medical support, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force saw minimal activity and did not extensively participate in combat during the First World War.
Impact on Egyptian Nationalist Movement:
- Many Egyptian nationalists viewed the decision to involve Egypt in the war as detrimental to Egyptian interests. This furthered skepticism toward British intentions and strengthened the nationalist desire for independence.
Thus, August 1914 marked a shift in Egypt's political status, involving the official establishment of the British protectorate, adjustments in leadership, and Egypt's subsequent entry into World War I as part of the British Empire.
