EGYPT

Egypt’s Revolution

• Also known as Arabic July revolution began on 23 July 1952 with a military overthrow by the Free Officers Movement, a group of army officers led by Muhammad Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser.

Post-Colonial Government

• After the revolution, in 1953, Gen. Mohammed Naguib was appointed to rule Egypt, however his reign was soon outlived and the British implemented constitutional monarchy of 1922 was abolished.

Aims of revolution

• The revolution was initially aimed at overthrowing King Farouk.

• However, the movement had more political ambitions, and soon moved to abolish the constitutional monarchy and aristocracy of Egypt and Sudan, establish a republic, end the British occupation of the country, and secure the independence of Sudan.

The effect in other countries

• The early successes of the revolution encouraged numerous other nationalist movements in other Arab, and African countries, such as Algeria, and Kenya, which were engaged in anti-colonial struggles against European empires. It also inspired the toppling of existing pro-Western monarchies and governments in the region and the continent.

After the Revolution

• With the declaration of the Republic Naguib had become simultaneously the president, the prime minister and chairman of the RCC and forming a government mostly composed of army officers.

• But his succesor Nasser and other members of the party had other ideas, so in 1953 Naguib was dismissed and Nasser took the power.

Years 55-56

• In that years Nasser reforced his government and he was known internationally.

• He also nazionalized the “Suez Channel”.

Suez Channel Crisis• Is a diplomatic and military confrontation in late 1956

between Egypt on one side, and Britain, France and Israel on the other, with the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Nations playing major roles in forcing Britain, France and Israel to withdraw.

• After the nationalization of the Suez Channel Nasser became the referent of Arab Nationalism.

Aswan Dam

• The High Dam was constructed between 1960 and 1970, and has had a significant impact on the economy and culture of Egypt. At first USA was ready to pay part of the Dam’s costs, but finally the Soviets paid the Dam.