e quote by Joseph Chamberlain suggests his view of British imperialism in Africa was that they were doing Africa a big favor by exposing them to all they had to offer. The Suez Canal was viewed as the “lifetime of the Empire” because it allowed Britain quicker access to its colonies in Asia and in Africa. The Suez Canal was a handmade water-way that connected two seas. These seas were the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It was opened in 1869, and the French covered the cost of building it through private interest groups. Egyptian laborers built it. Internationally, the Canal was celebrated as a success. In a speech to Parliament, Joseph Chamberlain explained that he believed Britain should continue its occupation of Egypt
