Both imperialism and nationalism were very powerful motivations in the early 19th century. Countries felt the need to be big in the eyes of others, and so Europeans set out into the world and seized whatever land, territory, or nation they saw fit. In 1833, the British government was faced with three different courses of action in Sudan: not take part in any hostile action against the Egyptians or Sudanese, attempt to conquer Sudan with General Gordan, or rescue Gordan and have him withdraw. Geographically, Egypt is located directly above the nation of Sudan. The Nile, Egypt's main source of commerce, extends from the Mediterranean Sea to its divergence into the White Nile and the Blue Nile in the nation of Sudan. Within the English government of William Gladstone, they had a policy of recognizing Sudan as part of the Egyptian nation. Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons both recognized that war and conquest in Sudan would not benefit England. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, a member of the House of Commons, drew widespread attention to the fact that Europeans were simply not wanted in Africa and threatened that war was near. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Another member of the House of Commons, Sir George Campbell, believed that this would turn into a war of Christianity against Islam, just as it had. it's thousands of years in the past. If this were a religious issue, the entire African population would rise up to eliminate their Christian oppressors, which would have horrible consequences. On January 18, 1884, General Gordan left for Egypt. It was deployed to occupy the city of Khartoum, Sudan, a key commercial city located where the Nile diverged into two separate rivers. Its occupation symbolized the first stage of an effective occupation, made necessary by the Berlin Conference. However, to the great humiliation of the British government, he was besieged in the city of Khartoum by the Mahdi, a religious leader of Islam. Nationalism was still very important to the British and British honor had been offended, people wanted Gordan to stay until he could break the siege or organize an expedition to rescue him and then from there, physically take Sudan from the Egyptians. Politicians also used propaganda. like political cartoons depicting General Gordan, a war hero, captured by the Madhi and his fate held in the hands of non-European fanatics. The entire conservative house was equally divided, some wanted to save it, others called for its abandonment. Sir Michael Hicks, a member of the House of Commons, believed that an "intolerable stain" would be left on English honor and he called for Gordan's freedom so that he could stem religious fanaticism and take control of Sudan . The people who called for the rescue and removal of General Gordan were mostly supporters of Prime Minister Gladstone. Prime Minister Gladstone. declared that the occupation would have destructive consequences. “It would be a war of conquest against a people fighting for their freedom.” He used many arguments ranging from the difficulty of sending supplies to uses of moral issues. He even tried to console Queen Victoria herself by saying that the conquest of Sudan was a lost cause. Keep in mind: this is just a sample...