ed by an understanding
between Russia and Great Britain, concluded in 1872, according to
which Afghanistan was to be considered not within the sphere of
Russian interests in Asia.

In 1874 the ties of relationship which connected Queen Victoria's
family to that of the czar were strengthened by the marriage of her
son, the Duke of Edinburgh, to Grand Duchess Marie of Russia. In the
same year Czar Alexander II visited London. The Gladstone Ministry
was succeeded by one headed by Disraeli. In 1875 the Government
announced the purchase of the Suez Canal shares, then held by the
Khedive of Egypt. This practically gave England control of the
canal, as the khedive's holdings amounted to nine-twentieths of the
entire issue. A great many of the other shares were in the hands of
French investors. But the French Government accepted England's
purchase without opposition. This move not only secured to England
control of the shortest and safest route to India, but also brought
it into closer contact with Egypt, one of the great colonial prizes
of the world then still available.

Disraeli soon gave proof of the sincerity of his imperialistic
views. In 1876, at his suggestion and as a result of his diplomacy,
the queen was proclaimed Empress of India. In 1877 the Transvaal was
annexed by England. In the Russo-Turkish War, which broke out that
year, England maintained neutrality, but in 1878 a defensive treaty
was signed between Great Britain and Turkey which gave the island of
Cyprus to England. In 1879 the Zulu War broke out and kept English
forces engaged through the greater part of the year. The following
year, 1880, was marked chiefly by riots and bloodshed in Ireland,
the resignation of Disraeli, and the return to the premiership of
Gladstone, who in 1881 succeeded in passing the Irish Land Bill. The
Irish difficulties lasted throughout 1882, 1883, and 1884.
Throughout that year, 1884 and 1885, English troops fought
rebellious natives in Egypt after having announced to Turkey that it
felt that it was necessary for the protection of the Suez Canal that
British troops should assume the responsibility of restoring order
in Egypt.

The Gladstone Ministry was defeated in 1885 and succeeded by a
Conservative Cabinet under the Marquis of Salisbury. Following the
outbreak of a war in Burma in the fall of 1885, English troops
entered the capital, and in 1886 Burma's annexation was announced.
Internal dissensions brought about two chan