A nationwide uprising against British rule that led to Egypt's formal independence in 1922, though Britain retained substantial influence over the country.
Key Facts
- Duration
- March 1919 to February 1922
- Trigger
- Exile of Wafd Party leader Saad Zaghloul
- Outcome
- British recognition of Egyptian independence in 1922
- Governing structure post-revolution
- Kingdom of Egypt with new constitution in 1923
- British concessions withheld
- Sudan sovereignty and Suez Canal troop withdrawal denied
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Decades of Egyptian nationalist opposition to British occupation culminated after World War I, when Britain ordered the exile of Wafd Party leader Saad Zaghloul and other party members, directly igniting widespread public anger across the Sultanate of Egypt.
A nationwide revolution erupted throughout the Sultanate of Egypt from March 1919 onward, with Egyptians of various backgrounds mobilizing against British occupation. British forces successfully suppressed the uprising militarily, but the scale of unrest compelled the High Commissioner to pursue negotiations to stabilize the situation.
Britain granted formal recognition of Egyptian independence in 1922, establishing the Kingdom of Egypt, followed by a new constitution in 1923. However, Britain retained significant influence, refusing to relinquish claims over Sudan or withdraw forces from the Suez Canal, leaving tensions that contributed to the Egyptian revolution of 1952.