Gamal Abdel Nasser By; Verna Manson & Kaila Brooks

Narrative The Leader – Gamal Abdel Nasser Jan. 15, 1918 – Sept. 28, 1970 – Had little formal education – From Nasser was elected Chairman of a committee of Cairo secondary school students interested in Egyptian political reform – In !937 halted his political life and admitted to the Egyptian Military Academy – Lead Egyptian revolution of 1952 – Second president of Egypt from 1956 to his death

Historical Context – 1517: Egypt was conquered by the Ottoman Empire – 1882: United Kingdom invaded and occupied Egypt – WW1: Egypt made protectorate of the United Kingdom – 1922: Gained independence from the United Kingdom – 1952: King Farouk overthrown by the “Free Officer Movement” led by Nasser – 1954: Nasser removed the first president, General Muhammad Naguib, from office

Elimination of Opposition In 1952 a rebellious army, the Free Officers Movement, led by General Naguib and Colonel Nasser took power and forced the abdication of King Farouk (Known as 1952 revolution) Nasser disagreed with many of Naguib’s political matters so he allied with regional and local influential people. Purged all Naguib supporters In 1956 Nasser proclaimed a new constitution that established Egypt as a one party socialist Arab state with Islam as the official religion In 1957 elections were held and Egypt became a single party state

Origins of Single Party States  Nationalism grew with the fall of ottoman empire  July 1952, the free officers movement, a rebellious army group, led by general Mohammad Naguib and colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser took power and forced the abdication of King Farouk  This milt. Coup d'état is known as the 1952 Revolution  June 18, 1953 Egypt was proclaimed a republic  Nasser disagreed with General Naguib on many political matters and so he ‘allied’ with regional and local influential people. Nasser ultimately became the unchallenged ruler of Egypt  Jan 1958, Nasser proclaimed a new constitution that established Egypt as one party socialist Arab state with Islam as the official religion  1957, elections were held, Egypt became a single party state

Establishment of Single Party States Nasser decided to plot against the Royal Family, and overthrow King Farouk On July 23 rd 1952, Nasser helped organize a revolt against the Royal Family They were overthrown after a few days of bloodless revolution 1956 conflict with the British and French (Nasser wanted to be free of colonialism) To deal with opposition Nasser did what he could to restore national pride to all Arab nations

Rule of single-party states ECONOMIC POLICIES Secured funds for the Aswan High dam, which would bring great economic benefits to his country Nationalized Suez canal in 1956 in order to retaliate and gain more funds for the dam Affiliation with communists led to withdrawal of British and American support of the dam Aswan high dam resulted in an increase of crop production Under nationalization, 7 billion Egyptian pounds of private assets transferred into the public sector All large companies, major industries, and banks were transferred to public, government control In the land reforms of 1952 and 1961, private land reduced from 200 to 10 feddans (land area units) Capital investment increased and electric power, mining and industry flourished

Rule of single-party states POLITICAL POLICIES Nasser established the rev command council, to solidify the milt hold on the government In 1952 many new reforms were established to create order: civil service reforms, party system reforms, and agrarian system reforms The Suez canal was nationalized in 1956 Nasser made Egypt less dependent on western nations

Rule of single-party states SOCIAL POLICIES Average living standard was raised There was an increase in spending for social services, pensions, and benefits Nasser enacted many land reforms with very socialist ideals Reduction of agriculture rents Extreme reduction of private property

Rule of single-party states Role of Education, the media & propaganda – Since Egyptian broadcasting was the best in the middle-east, Nasser used it as a major source of propaganda – Gained exclusive control of all media organs, newspaper kept under state control – Education given to everyone free of cost, hoped to give the deprived a chance to gain control of the future government

Rule of single-party states Use of the arts – The two most influential, well-known Arab Singers at the time made songs praising him – Plays were produced to belittle his opponents.

Rule of single-party states Treatment of minorities and women – Nasser made Egypt an Islamic nation, due to this many Christian Egyptians fled to America, Canada or Western Europe – Land reform & nationalization of business hurt Christian Egyptians (they depended on private businesses) – Women encouraged to get education and work to help economy. After six day war they gained voting rights.

Regional and Global Impact Foreign Policy- stop colonialism The Suez Canal; 40% was under the control of the French and British Nasser nationalized the Canal, provoking an attack from the French and British This attack was looked down upon internationally. Especially by the US, President Eisenhower was openly critical of the French and British Nasser's’ stand against France and Great Brit made him extremely popular among all Arab Nations

Influence on the Cold War USSR and Egypt were allies USSR provided Egypt with funding after funding from International Bank stopped after the conflict of 1956 The USSR gained from this relationship by making a stake in the Mediterranean Sea

Works Cited /Gamal_Abdel_Nasser.pdf /Gamal_Abdel_Nasser.pdf bdel_nasser.htm bdel_nasser.htm -%20sira_en.htm