Capitulation of Alexandria (1801) facts for kids
|
|
| Context | End of the French expedition to Egypt |
|---|---|
| Signed | 1801 |
| Location | Alexandria, Egypt |
The Capitulation of Alexandria was a very important agreement made in August 1801. It officially ended the French expedition to Egypt. This event marked the end of a big adventure for the French army in a faraway land.
Contents
Why the Capitulation Happened
The French army had been fighting in Egypt for a few years. They were led by Napoleon Bonaparte at first. But later, British and Ottoman (Turkish) forces teamed up against them. The French troops were defeated in battles and had to retreat. They ended up in the city of Alexandria, where they were surrounded. This is called a siege.
On August 30, 1801, the French general, Abdullah Jacques-François Menou, decided it was time to give up. He offered to surrender and suggested some terms for peace. The British general, John Hely-Hutchinson, and Admiral Lord Keith, looked at his terms. They agreed to some parts and changed others.
What the Agreement Said
The final agreement was put into effect on September 2, 1801. It officially ended the fighting. The document was signed by several important people. These included General Menou for the French, Admiral Keith and Lt.-General Hely-Hutchinson for the British. Also, the Kapudan Pasha Küçük Hüseyin Pasha signed for the Ottoman forces.
Special Treasures from Egypt
One of the most famous parts of this agreement was about ancient Egyptian items. Article 16 of the capitulation stated that "the Arabian manuscripts, the statues, and the other collections" made by the French were public property. This meant they could be taken by the British and Ottoman armies.
This rule led to the British taking the famous Rosetta Stone. The French had found this stone during their time in Egypt. It was a huge discovery because it helped experts understand ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Many other Egyptian antiquities collected by French scientists also went to the British.
Ships and Their Fate
When the agreement was signed, the British found several French warships in Alexandria's harbor. These included ships like the Égyptienne and the Justice. There were also two ships that used to belong to the Venetian navy.
The British and their Turkish allies decided how to share these captured ships. The British received some of the ships, including the Égyptienne. The Ottoman forces received others, like the Justice. This division of ships was part of the overall agreement to end the conflict.
