Al-Nahda - Part VIII - The Union of Maghreb
In March 1851, Egypt became a Great Power. Egypt's position as a Great Power was largely based on its prestige, which was roughly the sixth-highest in the world, marking its vast accomplishments despite its apparent lack of conventional strength. Its industry was respectable, as was its military, but they were equal to those of the significant secondary powers.
In August, Egypt researched medicine, to combat the recent outbreaks of disease in some province. In October, the first of the Eritrean provinces - Massawa - was integrated into Egypt as a core province. Egypt also made a respectable showing at the World's Fair in France, marking the first step towards healing the rift between the two since the last French-Algerian war.
In November, Egypt funded the nations of Serbia, Greece and Romania, on the basis that they would contribute to the descent of the Ottoman Empire by declaring war on them. They did so.
From January 1852, Egypt began justifying the liberation of Arab land held by the Ottomans, beginning with Tripoli. In February, Austria, seeing the futility of its efforts and facing an increasing number of foes, backed out of the Ottomans' many wars. In march, Bavaria displaced the Netherlands from the Great Powers roster, leaving Austria's sphere of influence.
In July, Serbia made peace with the Ottomans, who had destroyed its meagre armed forces. In August, after losing key battles to Greece and Romania, they ceded Dobrudja and Thessalia to those nations.
In September, Egypt declared war on the Ottomans, with the stated war goal of freeing Cyrenaica. Tunis joined the war, surprisingly. In the coming months, Egypt's armies occupied Libya, Iraq, and much of Turkey. The Egyptian navy also set up a blockade of the Bosphorus Strait.
In March 1843, Russia's soldiers entered Istanbul. In April, Egypt had researched modern State and Government, becoming a more politically mature nation. In June, Morocco suffered a reactionary rebellion, but the new regime remained friendly to Egypt.
In August, the Ottoman navy failed to break the Egyptian blockade. Immediately after, Russia occupied the city of Istanbul. Consequently, the Ottomans made peace with Russia, agreeing to pay war reparations, reduce their army size by 50% and to raise no new troops, all for five years.
It was no surprise that the Egyptians swept through Turkey unopposed, there being little left in the way of resistance. Egypt continued to demand more Arab land to be freed, rejecting offers of peace. In April, the outstanding success of Egypt's forces led to the aggrandisation of the military. Soldiering was now considered a worthy profession, a true service to the state.
In October, the Ottomans finally accepted peace, after Egypt occupied almost all of Turkey and moved into Ottoman Europe. Ultimately, they released Cyrenaica alongside Tripoli, and gave up their territories in Asir to Hedjaz and Zaydi. Both Cyrenaica and Tripoli entered Egypt's sphere of influence.
The years of 1855 to 1857 passed peacefully. Tunis, Algeria, Hedjaz and eventually Morocco all entered Egypt's SOI. Military statistics, ad hoc money bill printing and early railroads were all researched. Factories were built in every region of Egypt, as the industrial revolution truly entered the country outside of Cairo.
Internationally, Egypt finally restored positive relations with France. The Netherlands also reclaimed their place as a Great power, ousting Bavaria. More importantly, within Egypt, there was much political reform. With craftsmen a growing demographic, trade unions were permitted providing they were state-run. Mandatory service in the army was abolished, replaced by a professional standing army and a four year conscript draft in case of especially devastating war.
Most significantly, in May 1856, Egypt finally allowed voting. With over 50% of the population demanding a voting franchise, Ali Pasha agreed to extend the powers of Egypt's parliament. While remaining the head of state, and enjoying significant control over the nation, the ruling party would be chosen by the people.
The first party elected in Egypt was the conservatives. The new first minister was a competent placeholder, bland but safe. Ali Pasha, still determined to drive his nation forwards, began going on whistle stop tours of the country, giving speeches at areas of high population density, and speaking of Egypt's destiny as the crown of the Arab people and a beacon of humanism and culture.
Egyptian influence in the Maghrebi Arab nations had grown for over a decade, since the first triple alliance in June 1849. Now, in September 1859, all five nations were in Egypt's SOI. It was within their power to unite the western Arabs under a single nation, the Maghreb Union. Maghreb would naturally be a vassal state dependent and subservient to Egypt, for their protection from European aggression.
Egypt, now with pretentions to Arab union, considered renaming itself the Egyptian Empire, but ultimately declined. Sentimentally, the colour of Egypt on the map was altered, to be a more prestigious gold, but also to more closely match the green of Maghreb.
Soon, Egypt was to begin its task of uniting the eastern Arabs, the next step towards a grand Arab Union.
