Imperialism and nationalism were both very powerful motives in the early 19th century. Countries felt the need to be great in the eyes of others, and so Europeans went out into the world and took over whatever land, territory, or nation seemed appropriate to conquer. In 1833, the British government was faced with three different courses of action in the Sudan: take no part in any hostile action against the Egyptians or the Sudanese, attempt to conquer the Sudan using General Gordan, or rescue Gordan and have him retreat. Geographically, Egypt is directly above the nation of Sudan. The Nile, Egypt's main source of trade, extends from the Mediterranean Sea to where it diverges into the White and Blue Niles in the nation of Sudan. Among William Gladstone's English government, they had a policy of recognizing Sudan as part of the Egyptian nation. Members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons both recognized that war and conquest in the Sudan would not benefit England. Sir Wilfrid Lawson, a member of the House of Commons, brought to general attention 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Another member of the House of Commons, Sir George Campbell, thought it would turn into a war of Christianity against Islam, just as it had happened thousands of years in the past. If it were a religious issue, the entire African population would rise up to eliminate their Christian oppressors, and this 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 trading city that was located where the Nile diverged into two separate rivers. Its occupation symbolized the first step towards effective occupation, made necessary by the Berlin Conference. Yet, to the extreme 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 mount an expedition to rescue him and then from there physically take Sudan from the Egyptians. Politicians also used propaganda such as political cartoons depicting General Gordan, a war hero, captured by the Madhi and his fate in the hands of non-European fanatics. Even the entire conservative house was divided, some wanted to save him, others asked for his abandonment. Sir Michael Hicks, a member of the House of Commons, believed that it would remain an "intolerable stain" on English honor and called for Gordan's freedom so that he could stem religious fanaticism and conquer Sudan. The people who called for General Gordan's rescue and retreat were mainly followers of Prime Minister Gladstone. Prime Minister Gladstone. such occupation would have destructive consequences. “It would be a war of conquest against a people fighting to be free.” He used numerous arguments, from the difficulty of sending supplies to the use of moral issues. He even tried to console Queen Victoria herself by saying that the conquest of Sudan was a lost cause. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The religious crisis in Sudan was similar to the Dryfus Affair in France, but on a much smaller scale. The conquest of Sudan went against the moral values ​​of the West as the.