The Repressive Minority: Christians of Egypt during the French Occupation 1798—1801

Abstract

The author of the article examines the changing of the social role of Christians in Egypt during the French occupation in 1798—1801. Based on a comparative analysis of data from a wide range of French sources and Arab chronicles, the author of the article concludes that Bonaparte's army, by bringing new values that became dominant in France during the Revolution, unwittingly violated the fragile interfaith consensus that ensured a long and peaceful coexistence of the Muslim majority and the Christian minority in Egypt. Christians were formally equalized by the French in rights with Muslims. However, in practice, due to their cultural closeness with the occupiers and active cooperation with their administration, Christians achieved absolute dominance in Egyptian society during the stay of the French. In a matter of weeks, this previously restricted religious minority, which was nevertheless organically integrated into the local society, turned into a tyrannical minority that rose above this society and subjected it to cruel oppression.