The most important event that displays Disraeli was more responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone is the purchase of the Khedive of Egypt’s shares in the Suez Canal, 1875. Disraeli, without consulting the parliament, bought 44 per cent of the shares in the Suez Canal that ultimately was very significant in the scramble for Africa as it allowed Britain to control the routes to East Africa and increase their influence amongst the East African countries. Moreover, as Britain now had better access to East Africa, trade and infrastructure were improved, and ultimately improved Britain’s market and economy. As a consequence, many other European powers saw East Africa as an opportunity to colonise and increase the size of their empire. Hence, this factor clearly shows that Disraeli was more responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone.
However Disraeli can also be seen as being less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone. The most prominent event that illustrates Disraeli was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone is the Zulu War in 1878. The War was sparked by Sir Bartle Frere, the British high commissioner who decided on a policy of confrontation with the Zulu kingdom. It led to Britain suffering a humiliating defeat before eventually defeating the Zulus. However Disraeli was furious when war broke out, but it was too late to prevent it. This event is significant in the scramble for Africa, as it ultimately increased Britain’s territory in Africa and portrayed their power to take control. However it came at a cost of losing prestige and was an embarrassment for the British military. Disraeli, however, was not consulted before Britain went to war against the Zulu kingdom and did not play a part in the event. Therefore, from this factor it is evident that that Disraeli was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone.
Another event that displays that Disraeli was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone was the confederation of South Africa in 1877. The policy of confederating the three British Colonies of Cape Colony, Natal and Griqualand West with the two Dutch Boer republics of the Orange Free State and Transvaal was created by the colonial Secretary, Lord Carnarvon. This was significant in the scramble for Africa as it strengthens Britain’s hold on Southern Africa and was able to consolidate its power into one nation. However, Disraeli did not play a part in the confederation policy due to his ‘hands off’ approach. Hence, from this factor it is clear to say that Disraeli was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Gladstone.
However, in juxtaposition, Gladstone can be seen as being more responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli, most predominantly shown in the event of the annexation of Egypt in 1882. When Admiral Seymour accidentally bombarded Alexandria it sparked off a complete breakdown of law and order in Egypt, and Gladstone reluctantly agreed to send a military expedition to restore order. However Britain was ultimately forced to annex Egypt. This was significant in the scramble for Africa as it ultimately increased British influence and territory in Northern Africa. It also gave Britain a strong base for expanding southwards and ensured the protection of the Suez Canal. Historians, Robson and Gallagher, stated ‘without the occupation of Egypt there is no reason to suppose that any international scrambles for Africa would have begun when they did’. This suggests that Britain was the catalyst for the start of colonising Africa. Therefore, from this factor it is clear that Gladstone was more responsible for the scramble for Africa and Disraeli.
Another important event that presents Gladstone as being more responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli is the Transvaal and the first Boer War in 1881. After the Transvaalars rose in armed revolt, Britain agreed to grant Transvaal an internal self government but Britain kept control of foreign policy. This was significant in the scramble for Africa as Britain ultimately lost complete rule of Transvaal and suffered a loss in prestige. Moreover it increased tensions between the Boers and the British, and made expansion for the British in the south more difficult. Gladstone was responsible for the first Boer War as he decided to keep Sir Bartle Frere as High Commissioner in South Africa and wanted to maintain British rule of the Transvaal because he wished to pursue Carnarvon’s policy of confederation. Therefore, from this factor it is evident that that Gladstone was more responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli
However Gladstone can also be seen as being less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli. The most significant event that displays Gladstone seen as being less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli was the Berlin West Africa conference in 1884. As a result of this event, Great Britain was forced to abandon Cameroon, Togoland and the Congo Basin. This was significant in the scramble for Africa as Great Britain lost a vast amount of territory in West Africa in favour of Germany and France, which would have ultimately increased the tension between the powers and the competitiveness to occupy and colonise parts of Africa. Gladstone coincidently was not responsible for this outcome as it was the agreement of all the European powers. Therefore, it is evident that this factor shows that Gladstone was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli.
Another important event that presents Gladstone as being less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli is the Sudan and the death of General Gordon in 1885. General Gordon was sent to Sudan to withdraw westerners from the capital, Khartoum, as the Mahdi had started a holy war, but he went against instructions and tried to take the city. General Gordon was ultimately killed and this was significant in the scramble for Africa as it caused domestic outrage in Britain and a large loss of prestige in the empire. Moreover it presented weaknesses of the British empire to the native powers of Africa that were restricting Britain from expanding. However, Gladstone was not responsible for the death of General Gordon, as General Gordon deliberately went against the orders of Gladstone and attempted to occupy the capital of Sudan, Khartoum. Hence, this factor clearly shows that Gladstone was less responsible for the scramble for Africa than Disraeli.
From analysing the factors above, it is clear to say that both Gladstone and Disraeli played a large role in the scramble for Africa, but overall, Gladstone is more responsible for the Scramble for Africa than Disraeli, mainly due to the outcome of the crisis in Egypt in 1882. The annexation of Egypt is considered as the catalyst for the scramble for Africa by historians, such as Robinson and Gallagher, and although Gladstone may have been reluctant to interfere in Egypt with military force, he was in a position where he had no choice but to interfere. Overall, Gladstone proved to be a reluctant imperialist, reacting to events rather than controlling them, and ultimately caused Gladstone to face events more significant to scramble for Africa than Disraeli.
