Persia lacked the capital to develop its own

Persia lacked the capital to develop its own resources. To raise money and to gain
economic prestige, the Persian ruler began granting concessions to Western busi-
nesses. These concessions allowed businesses to buy the right to operate in a certain
area or develop a certain product. For example, a British corporation, the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company, began to develop Persia’s rich oil fields in the early 1900s.
The Age of Imperialism
789
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal was viewed as the “Lifeline of the Empire” because
it allowed Britain quicker access to its colonies in Asia and Africa.
In a speech to Parliament, Joseph Chamberlain explained that he
believed Britain should continue its occupation of Egypt because of
“the necessity for using every legitimate opportunity to extend our
influence and control in that great African continent which is now
being opened up to civilization and to commerce.“
This painting represents the opening celebration of the canal
on November 17, 1869.
30 °
N
35
°
E
30
°
E
Mediterranean
Sea
N
i
l
e
R
.
Suez
Canal
Red Sea
S I N A I
E G Y P T
0
0
100 Miles
200 Kilometers
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER:
Interpreting Maps
Place Approximately how long is the Suez Canal?

790
Chapter 27
Battle over Tobacco
Tension arose between the often corrupt rulers,
who wanted to sell concessions to Europeans, and the people. The
people were often backed by religious leaders who feared change or
disliked Western influence in their nation. In 1890, Persian ruler
Nasir al-Din sold a concession to a British company to export Persian
tobacco. This action outraged Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, a leader who
supported the modernization of Persia. He helped set up a tobacco
boycott by the heavy-smoking Persians. In the following quote, he
expresses his contempt for the Persian ruler:
P R I M A R Y S O U R C E
He has sold to the foes of our Faith the greater part of the Persian lands
and the profits derived from them, for example . . . tobacco, with the
chief centers of its cultivation, the lands on which it is grown and the
warehouses, carriers, and sellers, wherever these are found. . . .
In short, this criminal has offered the provinces of Persia to auction
among the Powers, and is selling the realms of Islam and the abodes of
Muhammad and his household to foreigners.
JAMAL AL-DIN AL-AFGHANI, in a letter to Hasan Shirazi, April 1891
The tobacco boycott worked. Riots broke out, and the ruler was forced to can-
cel the concession. As unrest continued in Persia, however, the government was
unable to control the situation. In 1906, a group of revolutionaries forced the ruler
to establish a constitution. In 1907, Russia and Britain took over the country and
divided it into spheres of influence. They exercised economic control over Persia.
In the Muslim lands, many European imperialists gained control by using eco-
nomic imperialism and creating spheres of influence. Although some governments
made attempts to modernize their nations, in most cases it was too little too late. In
other areas of the globe, imperialists provided the modernization. India, for exam-