Nasser in Power Pages 229-238 Emma Miller Alex Souther Maya Tims Devon Essick Phoebe Chin Emma Burke Pages 229-238 Nasser in Power

Foreign Policy: Non-alignment, the Cold War and the Suez Crisis Nasser and the non-alignment movement Nasser attended the African-Asian Bandung Conference in 1955 and again in 1961. Non-alignment movement fit well with Nasser’s view of anti-imperialism. Embraced the concept of positive neutralism and socialism but wanted to make Egypt independent from external controls. Nasser and the USA In 1952, when the Free Officers staged their coup, they were accepted by the US as long as they were clearly anti-communist. Nasser became buds with FDR’s son Kermit, a CIA middle eastern specialist. USA refused to sell Egypt arms In 1955, Egypt was encouraged to become a part of the Baghdad Pact, but Nasser refused. Didn’t like that it wasn’t organized by Arab states. Nasser and the USSR Nasser was encouraged at the Bandung Conference to approach the USSR for arms. USSR agreed to provide arms There was some tension because Nasser was never a communist Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser With Krushev of the USSR

The Suez Crisis (1956) The Suez Canal: only direct course from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. August 4, 1956 - Nasser announced that he would be nationalizing the Suez Canal in Egypt. Before, USA and Britain retracted funding for the Aswan Dam on the Nile River, so Nasser hoped to pay for the dam using money from the newly nationalized Canal. This caused issues, because this canal was a vital trade route for big countries such as Britain, France and more. September 1956 - Britain, France and Israel planned to recover control in September 1956, their invasion failed. USSR and UN stepped in to help because Egypt was considerably weaker than the three attacking invading countries. Canal kept under Egyptian Control, but all international ships were allowed through with free passage. Results of Crisis: Nasser’s popularity was well established, fame spread to neighboring states in Middle East and Africa, relations between Egypt and USSR grew warmer, relations with Israel deteriorate, US became suspicious of Nasser, Nasser’s increased popularity contributed to the establishment of the UAR (Pearson page 231).

The Suez Crisis

Domestic Policies: Nasser after Suez Political Change June 1956: Nassar instated a new constitution and the structure of the government was changed Islam was now the state religion Egypt was a part of the ‘Arab Nation’ President would hold office for six years at a time and elected by the people The Liberation Rally was replaced by the National Union July 1957: Elections held for the first time, and women were allowed to vote. The low class citizens were expected to be represented the most within the candidate pool, but since it cost 50 euros to run for a position, it was mostly made up of the middle class. Nassar wanted to progress Egypt into ‘Islamic modernism’ (securing womens rights, making primary education mandatory, and demoting the religious courts) Economic Change 1957: Nassar introduced ‘Egyptianization’ of foreign companies and industries to reduce Egyptian dependence on foreign investment. The National Planning Committee and Economic Organization were created to deal with nationalized property. 1958: The NCP and EO set up a five year plan to increase industrial output. Nassar wanted to increase production by 10% (the majority of investment would come from government but private investment was encouraged). The private-public investment idea failed, and it lead a disappointed Nassar to increase nationalization. The five year plan to increase production fell way short of intended quota (only 5% of peasents benefitted from this plan).

The UAR: 1958-61: ‘Three and a half years of trouble’ Syria looked for support against from Egypt for growing Communist party Nasser sought increased security and an improved economy February 1958: Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Masser and Syrian President Shukri al-Quwatli signed a treaty and became united under United Arab Republic (UAR). Nasser may not have considered differences between two countries Egypt was much bigger Syria was more influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood and the Communist Party Nasser was seen as a destabilizing force in the Middle East by the USA. Nasser thought 1958 was a “year of victory,” but differences among Arab states remained a serious obstacle. Nasser clashed with the leader of Iraq, afraid that communism would infiltrate the Middle East. In 1959, Nasser carried out a purge of suspected communists. Strangely, even while Nasser imprisoned suspected communists, he continued to support socialist policies and USSR. Eventually, the UAR gave way on Nasser’s socialist and political policies.

UAR’s flag. Two stars to represent two parts UAR’s flag. Two stars to represent two parts. Continues to be the flag of Syria. Iraq’s was the same but with three stars during 1963-1991 because Iraq and Syria tried to restore the UAR with Egypt as a three-part federation (one star for each state).

Post-UAR: From the National Union to the Arab Socialist Union Nasser blamed the fall of the UAR on the “business community” of Egypt To prove that socialism was still prevailing, Nasser took the property of 167 capitalists and more than 80 banks and corporations He was constantly paranoid about Egypt counter-revolting Nasser was determined to instill his society with socialism, which meant making room for peasants and workers He supported individual ownership as long as he didn’t deem it exploitative He coined the term “Arab Socialism” which in his mind meant that the people need control over production but that doesn’t require nationalization

Arab Socialism? 1958 – First Five Year Plan: land reform. Land limited to a single person & co-ops system to boost production (better irrigation systems). Fellahin: The name given in Egypt to the poor peasant farmers who worked the land. The land reforms carried out after the 1952 revolution were intended to benefit the fellahin (Pearson, 237). 17% of cultivatable land redistributed, only 8% fellahin benefited. Capitalism = bad because it was linked to imperialism. After the collapse of UAR, gov. became based on the National Charter, the Arab Socialist Union and the National Assembly. Nasser nominated for reelection. Military reorganization – Egypt became a military-bureaucratic society. “Felle Fellahin”

Work Cited http://countrystudies.us/egypt/34.htm "The Suez Crisis of 1956." Thinkquest. n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. Pearson Text: Pages 230-238