Whereas in 1800 at least 90 per cent of Egyptians were…
““Whereas in 1800 at least 90 per cent of Egyptians were poor peasants, by 1900 more than 25 per cent of the population of 10 million lived in Cairo, Alexandria and the Delta's main cities, and could be counted as lower middle class or working class.11 The economy was by and large in the hands of the royal family, its Turkish-Albanian-European entourage and the thousands of foreigners who had settled in Egypt from the mid- and late-nineteenth century; yet Egyptians, and especially the increasingly influential landowners, were rapidly climbing the political and socio-economic ladder.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Egypt’s urban population grew, shifting wealth and power toward cities and a new middle class.
In simple terms: Cities expanded, creating a new middle class.
Key Takeaway
Recognize urbanization’s impact.
Themes
urbanization
social mobility
economic change
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
educational
informative
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy making
- social research
Key Concepts
history
political economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How did urban growth affect rural areas?
- What policies eased the transition?
A Different Perspective
Rapid change can cause inequality and unrest.