European countries became more involved in the Middle East. What effects did this have on the area

The Good Aspects

For some Middle Easterners, colonization wasn't such a bad thing during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This was especially true in minority religious communities. In Lebanon, for example, the Maronite Christians found a defender in the French, just as the Druze found a supporter in the British. Meanwhile, merchants increased the amount of trade, while new technologies poured into the region.

Nowhere was this more true than in Egypt. While still nominally under the control of the Ottoman Empire, Egypt and its leader, Muhammad Ali (1769-1849), were eager for independence. The British and French were happy to provide technical advisors for all aspects of this effort. However, there was one job in particular that the Europeans were eager for the Egyptians to undertake, the Suez Canal, which opened in 1869 and joined the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. How did Europe affect the Middle East?

The Bad Aspects

European colonialism in the Middle East reinforced tensions between religious groups, many of which still exist today. However, the economies of the countries involved also suffered, which meant that the Europeans felt the need to protect their investments. This was especially true in Egypt.

Explanation:

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