Gamal Abdel Nasser Investigation
By Brett Liddel and Dimitry Philipchenko
1.
World/ Country context-conditions helped account for the leader’s rise to power
What was going on in the country before the leader rose to power?
By the end of the nineteenth century, it can be noted that most of Africa has been colonized by
European powers; this includes Egypt. One can see how Egypt was used to being ruled by other
nations. This is questioned after the Great War, where new ideologies of nationalism and anticolonialism began to emerge. People argued that Egypt should be forged in the image of
European society, which emphasized education and industrialization.
The arts took precedence in the Egyptian society, where many individuals travelled abroad to
gain more knowledge in this area. It brought forth the idea of nationalism which was realized in
the 1952 revolution. This ended the British supported monarchy and gave Egypt its
independence.1
The British kept control over Egypt by targeting Cairo. This was where they focused most of
their resources in order to maintain control over the government. British rule was always
implemented by placing leaders of British descent in power. An example would be Lord Cromer
who ruled over Egypt for 24 years from 1883 to 1907.2 This trend of Britain choosing the
leadership in Egypt continued well into the twentieth century.
The British rule was not met with great enthusiasm after the First World War since many people
starved. This can be noted in 1918 where more people died than were born.3 Arabs agreed that
British control was not very beneficial, for numerous revolts and protests were consequently
observed. The British government continued to debar these resistors, thus deepening the peoples
resent against their rulers. They did very little to benefit the people of Egypt; no education, or
improvement in living quality was provided. A gap in social class between british descendants
born in Egypt and native Egyptians further worsened this relationship.
A change was experienced during World War II. Britain began to train Egyptians in many forms
of trade. Many advancements were made due to the excessive British spending in this nation
(approximately 10 million pounds a year). The development of a new sense of nationalism
became more prominent in 1942 after the battle in Alamein.4
1
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." China, 1900 A.D.–present. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=11®ion=afe (accessed October 4,
2014).
2
"Tour Egypt :: Egypt: History - British Occupation Period." Egypt: History. http://www.touregypt.net/hbritish.htm (accessed October 6, 2014).
3
Ibid
4
"Tour Egypt :: Egypt: History - British Occupation Period." Egypt: History. http://www.touregypt.net/hbritish.htm (accessed October 6, 2014).
2. Ideology/ Form of government
What was the ideology of the leader, his motivations, his aims?
One of Nasser’s main goals was to create a united Arab state. In 1958, Nasser proposed a
prototype for the Arab state.5 In February 1958 a political union between Egypt and Syria was
established with Yemen who joining later in that year.6 This union became the United Arab
Republic (UAR) which had Nasser as its president and Cairo as its capital. The eventual goal
was to have all Arab states united in order to defend themselves from Western influence.
However, his ideology was skewed owing to the fact that Nasser was not trained in politics but
rather, the military. His military background caused him to believe that force must be faced with
force and that Egypt would not gain freedom from Western influence through rhetoric.
The anti-Westernism supported by Nasser owed to his upbringing and youth where he protested
against the colonialism supported by the Egyptian monarchy. He had not meditated on joining
his first protest, he had simply decided it seemed like a good idea. “It was at the police station,
while receiving treatment for my head injuries, that I learned that the demonstration was an antigovernment protest led by the "Masr El-Fatah" (Young Egypt) society.”7 However, the
savageness with which he was arrested and prosecuted after participating in the protest inspired
him to rebel against colonialist ideals.
3. How they achieved/Rose to power
How and why did this leader rise to power?
During Nasser’s time serving in the army, he came to the realization that Egypt was a
corrupt country. He perceived the leaders as abusive businessmen who gathered as much profit
as they could through many scandals, such as that concerning the weapons being sent to the
warfront in Palestine; which were cheap and unreliable, but caused the governmental powers to
gain significant wealth from their actions. Furthermore, Nasser was greatly against foreign
intervention. This became extremely evident in 1942 after the British forced the government of
egypt to adapt a government that would be headed by Nahas Pasha.8 It was quite evident that
British power in Africa was overwhelming. He did not view this as beneficial for the country and
willed to end this dependency on foreign powers (he was against against colonialism). Arab
Pride was quite important, not only for Egypt but all Arab nations. Due to this corruption, he
wished to reform the Egypt into a scrupulous nation.
5
Pollack, Kenneth M.. The threatening storm: the case for invading Iraq. New York: Random House, 2002. Print.
6
Ibid
7
Ibid
8
"Gamal Abdel Nasser." Gamal Abdel Nasser. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gamal_abdel_nasser.htm (accessed October 6, 2014).
Gamal Abdel-Nasser ascended to presidency through the Free Officers Movement. This
organization was first formed in 1945 after the Second World War ended.9 By conversing with
many Egyptian officers, Abdel was able to persuade them to join his cause. The success of these
new supporters was due to the group that was targeted. Being stationed at the egyptian staff army
college, young individuals who could more easily side with his views. Moreover, the use of antiBritish sentiment also aided in this campaign, for many Egyptians were beginning to feel that
British influence was much too great in this region. This organization’s official focus was
revealed when Nasser returned from the war in Israel. He saw the government as corrupt, simply
raking in profit from the cheap weapons the government sold to the army. Their focus shifted to
King Farouk from 1948-1952.10 In 1951, a war broke out between the Free Officers and the
British troops stationed in the Suez Canal region.11 Following these events, this movement
attempted to assassinate leaders, but failed for the first and last time. After General Serri Amer
became head of the committee, Nasser decided to start the revolution two years earlier than when
it was initially planned; it occurred on July 23, 1952.
A significant factor which greatly contributed to the success of this revolution was the popular
support. People became aware of the corruption which dwelled within the government, for
numerous rumours concerning governmental profit off cheap weapons were widespread. King
Farouk was exiled three days after the revolution first began and Gamal Abdel-Nasser once again
became the leader of the Free Officers movement.
4. How they consolidated, maintained power, reinforced power
What was the role of the army, police and special forces?
In August 1952, a strike with about 10000 workers.12 The army was called to put down this
rebellion. A few workers were killed while many other were injured. They were later tried and
many were given prison sentences. Other incidents included:
● January 17th, 1953 when all political parties were debarred. The RCC (Revolutionary
Command Council) became the only form of government.
● He gained support through the use of rallies. For example, during the liberation rally after
the revolution, October 27th, Nassar paraded in Alexandria after an attempted
assassination to gain support for his new government.
● The conclusion of the Suez Crisis through the use of Nasser’s forces (the Free Officers)
made Nassar look like a hero.
Nasser was very charismatic and brought the people to his cause through the use of speeches.
Such an example is when he spoke at Alexandria's Manshiya Square on 26 October 1954,
9
"Biography." President Gamel Abdel Nasser. http://nasser.bibalex.org/Common/pictures01-%20sira_en.htm (accessed October 6, 2014).
10
Ibid.
11
Ibid.
12
Ibid.
describing his feelings at that demonstration and its impact on him, “As I began to speak today in
Manshiya Square, I went back to the remote past when I was young and remembered
Alexandria's struggle, when I called out for freedom and dignity in the name of Egypt for the
first time in my life. We were shot at by the bullets of colonialism and its agents: some died,
some were wounded; but among them emerged a young man who enjoyed the sense of
freedom.”13
5. Their policies both internal and external with sufficient detail, impacts of these
policies, their motivations
What were the dictator’s main foreign, economic, military, education, minority and social
policies?
After the revolution came to a close, the free officers created the Revolutionary Command
Council which was the general Egyptian government during that period.
● abolished all civil titles (ex. Pusha and Bey)
● Political parties were to be “purified” (getting rid of the corruption)
● Raised minimum wage, reduced working hours, created more jobs
● Spending on education was increased
● Formation of the Egyptian democracy through the overthrowing of the previous monarch.
Egypt was declared a republic on June 18th, 1953.
● October 1954, Britain withdraw all troops from the Suez Canal in a span of 20 months
● Policy of nonalignment (not convoking with West or Soviet Union)
● Industry and agriculture were ameliorated through the construction of the major
hydroelectric dam on the Nile River.
● Pursued control over the Canal. The British and French forces tried to gain authority of
the canal in 1956 but were forced to retreat due to the threat of bombardment by Russian
forces. The Suez Canal was now controlled by Egypt, furthering their economic
expansion and gains.
6.
Conclusion-Assess their, impact, influence, success and failures both short and long
term
What happened to the dictator: How long did the dictator stay in power?
Although Nasser had worked to establish Egypt as a republic from 1952 onwards, he also
ventured on several other exploits which would eventually lead to his downfall. After the
creation of Nasser’s United Arab Republic, Syria later seceded from the union in 1961.14 This
greatly worsened Nasser’s chances of forming a United Arab Republic. He therefore put
extensive effort into achieving a union with Iraq. In light of the collapse of the previous attempt
to create such a Union, Nasser placed heavy intelligence in Iraq in order to establish a
13
Pollack, Kenneth M.. The threatening storm: the case for invading Iraq. New York: Random House, 2002. Print.
14
Pollack, Kenneth M.. The threatening storm: the case for invading Iraq. New York: Random House, 2002. Print.
government in Baghdad that would bend to his will. Nasser had expected to form a union with
Iraq following the overthrow of the monarchy in Iraq in 1958 by General ‘Abd al-Karim
Qasim.15 Qasim had gained popular support from the people of Iraq by playing on the
dissatisfaction of the population following the 1956 Sinai-Suez War when Egypt (under Nasser)
had fought the Israelis, the British, and the French for control over the Suez Canal.
The final nail in the coffin for Nasser’s rule was the Six Day War with Israel in June of 1967.16
The event occurred as follows: “The Iraqi expeditionary force that had been stationed in Jordan
to take part in the proposed pan-Arab invasion of Israel was completely routed without hardly
firing a shot in anger. Israel’s victory traumatized the Arab world, not least because it dealt a
devastating blow to President Nasser’s belligerent claim that a unified Arab assault would be
sufficient to destroy the “Zionist entity,” the euphemism by which he referred to Israel. Nasser
himself never recovered from the shock of defeat, and died a broken man in 1970… [The defeat]
left the Israelis in control of the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula.”17
Nasser had led the offense and although it had brutally failed, it was later decided in the peace
treaty between Egypt and Israel that Egypt would resume control over the Sinai Peninsula,
however this occurred 9 years after Nasser’s death as part of the Camp David Accords. The
agreement was written as follows: “In part of the area in the Sinai lying within about 20 km. of
the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent to the international border, and in the Sharm el-Sheikh area
to insure freedom of passage through the Strait of Tiran; and these forces will not be removed
unless such removal is approved by the Security Council of the United Nations with a unanimous
vote of the five permanent members.”18 While the balance between the two powers was
eventually restored there had been great controversy over the incident and Nasser died before
redeeming himself.
How will history view or how has history viewed this particular dictator?
From a negative standpoint, Nasser will be viewed as a benevolent dictator and as a somewhat
disgraced leader because he forced his way into power and he lost a war against Israel while
leading a collective of Arab nations. However, Nasser was, in general, greatly respected by the
Arab peoples, to whom he was extremely devoted. He was known to work for eighteen hours a
day and was renowned as an excellent speaker.19 He was the powerful leader that Egypt needed
to bring it into a new age of democracy. He was also highly influential throughout the Arab
world. In order to diminish the Western monopoly on oil, he responded to the 1955 Baghdad
Pact between Iraq, Iran, Britain, Turkey, and Pakistan by signing an arms deal with the Soviet
Union and nationalizing the Suez Canal.20 However, it can be argued that his influence may have
15
Ibid.
16
Ibid.
17
Ibid.
18
Ibid.
19
Pollack, Kenneth M.. The threatening storm: the case for invading Iraq. New York: Random House, 2002. Print.
20
Ibid.
been negative as Muammar Gaddafi was inspired by Nasser to overthrow his own government.
Nasser also inspired Saddam Hussein who “emulated Nasser” according to Abdel Majid Farid,
who was Nasser’s secretary general and who was responsible for looking after young Baathists
in Cairo, where Hussein lived for a few years.
Works Cited
"Biography." President Gamel Abdel Nasser.
http://nasser.bibalex.org/Common/pictures01-%20sira_en.htm (accessed October 6,
2014).
"Gamal Abdel Nasser." Gamal Abdel Nasser.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gamal_abdel_nasser.htm (accessed October 6,
2014).
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." China, 1900 A.D.–present.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/?period=11&region=afe (accessed October 4,
2014).
"Tour Egypt :: Egypt: History - British Occupation Period." Egypt: History.
http://www.touregypt.net/hbritish.htm (accessed October 6, 2014).