Most scholarship has attributed Sudanese independence in 1956 to British dominance of the Condominium, historical animosity toward Egypt, or the emergence of Sudanese nationalism.Dividing the Nile counters that Egyptian entrepreneurs failed to develop a united economy or shared economic interests, guaranteeing Egypt's 'loss' of the Sudan. It argues that British dominance of the Condominium may have stymied initial Egyptian efforts, but that after the First World War Egypt became increasingly interested in and capable of economic ventures in the Sudan.

Most scholarship has attributed Sudanese independence in 1956 to British dominance of the Condominium, historical animosity toward Egypt, or the emergence of Sudanese nationalism.Dividing the Nile counters that Egyptian entrepreneurs failed to develop a united economy or shared economic interests, guaranteeing Egypt's 'loss' of the Sudan. It argues that British dominance of the Condominium may have stymied initial Egyptian efforts, but that after the First World War Egypt became increasingly interested in and capable of economic ventures in the Sudan. However, early Egyptian financial assistance and the seemingly successful resolution of Nile waters disputes actually divided the regions, while later concerted efforts to promote commerce and acquire Sudanese lands failed dismally. Egyptian nationalists simply missed opportunities of aligning their economic future with that of their Sudanese brethren, resulting in a divided Nile valley.Dividing the Nile will appeal to historians, social scientists, and international relations theorists among those interested in Nile valley developments, but its focused economic analysis will also contribute to broader scholarship on nationalism and nationalist theory.

PrefaceList of figuresNote on transliterationIntroductionChapter 1: The "natural" unity of the Nile valleyChapter 2: "Successful" division of water resourcesChapter 3: Agreement, institutions, and opportunities, 1936-1939Chapter 4: A valley divided transportation difficultiesChapter 5: Disguised exploitation agricultural and industrial designs upon the SudanChapter 6: An expanded Sudanese market? Egyptian exports to the SudanChapter 7: An economic lifeline? Egyptian reliance on Sudanese importsConclusionSelected bibliographyIndex