THE PERSONALITY CULT OF NASSER -Nasser remained extremely popular both in Egypt and in the Arab world, despite of having lost the war and the economic crises. -He was a very persuasive orator, he spoke to the Egyptian people using a language that the ordinary man could understand. -Nasser lived in a modest suburban villa and would regularly home for lunch. Heads of state were invited to have dinner at his home. (see sources e, f and g pages ) -He did not create a dynasty and had no plans for his children to succeed him. -The CIA noted that Nasser was a difficult target, he was clean, ha had no vices. There was nothing they could find to use against him; however the CIA wanted to get rid of him and, British and French plotted to assassinate him.

NASSER: SOCIAL POLICIES EDUCATION -The level of illiteracy was high and education was not available to everybody. -Nasser wanted the population to be educated in a way they would support and follow his political aspirations. -Primary schooling became compulsory. Between 1952 and 1957 attendance increased by 40%. -Literacy reached 50% by Nasser encouraged the teaching of science and technology in order to modernize Islam. -University tuition was free and there were small grants for students who could not support themselves. -Out of 80,000 secondary graduates in 1969, 34,000 went on to higher education.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN -The veil was banned. -Women had better access to education and professions were opened up to them. -Nasser was accustomed to women being mother and wives rather than having careers, however, Madam Tito talked him round to including in the National Charter the equality of women.

-He was persuaded this was needed to push forward the economic growth of the country. -The population was growing quickly (26 million in 1960), so a family planning was necessary. Hikmat Abu-Zayd (first time a woman had held a cabinet post) was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs in The role did not change much. In the countryside, women led traditional lives and young girls were often removed from school at an early age. -Even so, the number of children at schools rose from 1,300,000 to 3,400,000 from 1952 to 1966 and more than 1,300,000 were girls. -Out of 120,000 students, 30,000 were women in higher education in 1969.

THE MEDIA AND CULTURE -The newspapers came under state ownership in 1960, and there was strict censorship. -Nasser was greeted enthusiastically at first by writers, but encountered their opposition when there was suppression of the right to freedom of speech and expression. -Nasser enjoyed films, mostly of the sentimental kind which gave him a release from the stress of leadership. -Mohammad Heikal, Minister of National Guidance and Nasser’s closest friend, was the editor-in-chief of al-Ahram (national newspaper). -The film industry was nationalized in 1963 and class struggle became the theme of many popular films. (see sources a and b page 245)

paises.html