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Nasser's Rise to Power Notes

Nasser's Rise to Power

Generic Rise to Power Questions

  • Several essay questions are presented concerning the emergence of authoritarian states:

    • Weak political systems as the most significant factor.

    • Propaganda as the key factor.

    • The importance of the use of force.

    • Economic factors as the main determinant.

Egypt's Nominal Independence

  • In 1922, Egypt gained nominal independence from Britain.

  • However, British troops maintained total control of the Suez Canal.

Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936

  • The treaty reviewed the terms of Egypt’s independence.

  • It loosened Britain's control slightly but maintained the British military presence.

  • Article 8 explicitly authorized the King of Egypt to allow British forces to station troops in the vicinity of the Suez Canal to maintain communication.

  • A garrison of 10,000 soldiers and 400 ship pilots, along with supporting personnel, were stationed in the Canal Zone.

  • The treaty caused dissatisfaction and resentment among Egyptians due to British heavy-handedness.

Nasser's Early Life

  • Born in Alexandria in 1918, Nasser was the son of a post office official who moved frequently.

  • This resulted in a broken education, making him largely self-taught.

  • Exposure to different types of Egyptians made him aware of the coexistence of poverty and wealth.

  • As a teenager, he joined the Egyptian Socialist party.

  • Nasser was influenced by anti-British sentiment and participated in demonstrations against the British presence in the 1930s.

  • He was arrested and detained several times and suffered a head injury during a demonstration in 1935.

Nasser's Military Career

  • In 1937, Nasser joined the army as an officer.

  • He secured sponsorship from a senior government official, without which the officer class would have been inaccessible to him.

  • The army provided a pathway for career advancement for someone of his background.

Other Political Groups in Egypt

  • Besides the monarchy, the Wafd Party, communists, and the Muslim Brotherhood had political followings.

  • The Wafd Party emerged from Egyptian nationalist movements in the 19th century and advocated for the end of British dominance after World War I.

  • It gained popular support and claimed to represent Egyptian hopes for full independence for two decades following 1922.

  • However, its willingness to compromise diminished its influence.

  • Cooperation with the royal government in signing the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1936 led nationalists to doubt its commitment.

The Communist Party

  • Formed in Egypt in 1922, modeled after the Bolshevik Party of the USSR.

  • Aims were to remove the British presence and overthrow the political and social system.

  • Sought to take over trade unions to cause industrial disruption.

The Muslim Brotherhood

  • Established in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood viewed governmental and political systems as secondary to obedience to Allah.

  • They believed that the will of Allah, as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the Qur’an, superseded all man-made laws.

  • They rejected secular states and purely national states based on ethnicity or geography.

  • They regarded Britain as an ungodly presence.

  • Nasser and the Brotherhood clashed frequently during his reign.

World War II and Egypt

  • Egypt became involved in World War II when Italian forces attacked in November 1940 despite its neutrality.

  • The British increased their military presence and forced King Farouk to appoint the Wafd Party as the government on February 4, 1942.

  • The February 4th Incident humiliated both the King and the Wafd Party, leading to reduced support for both.

The February 4th Incident

  • British General Robert Stone surrounded Abdeen Palace with troops and tanks.

  • Ambassador Miles Lampson presented Farouk with an abdication decree.

  • Farouk capitulated, appointing Mostafa El-Nahas of the Wafd Party as Prime Minister.

  • Muhammad Naguib, a leader of the 1952 Revolution, cited the incident as a major factor in the rise of anti-monarchical sentiment.

Other Reactions to the February 4th Incident

  • Egyptian communists and socialists condemned the agreements.

  • They believed that upper-class elements prioritized their privileges over Egypt’s independence.

The Arab-Israeli Conflict's Impact on Egypt

  • The founding of Israel in 1948 brought the conflict to a climax.

  • In 1917, Arthur Balfour issued the Balfour Declaration, promising to back the establishment of a ‘national home for the Jewish people’ in Palestine.

  • The compromise attempted to protect the rights of Palestinian Arabs but proved unworkable.

  • Significant Jewish migration to Palestine between the World Wars led to Arab resentment and violence.

Britain Leaves Palestine

  • Post-war Britain was economically exhausted and had a shrinking empire.

  • Maintaining troops in Palestine was costly and politically unpopular.

  • Britain turned to the UN to resolve the Palestinian Mandate and end its control of the territory.

The Arab-Israeli War 1948

  • On November 29, 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, dividing Great Britain’s former Palestinian mandate into Jewish and Arab states in May 1948.

  • Jerusalem was to remain under international control.

  • Palestinian Arabs refused to recognize the arrangement.

  • The Arab-Israeli War of 1948 broke out when five Arab nations invaded territory in the former Palestinian mandate after Israel declared independence.

The Arab-Israeli War 1948-1949 and its Impacts on Egypt

  • King Farouk lost credibility due to the war.

  • In May 1948, the Egyptian army crossed the Sinai Desert to defeat the Israelis.

  • The war was a disaster for Egypt, with officers blaming internal incapacities and King Farouk's abandonment.

  • Rumors of defective arms added to the sense of betrayal.

Lessons Drawn from the 1948 War

  • Egypt’s failure was due to government corruption under King Farouk.

  • Progress depended on developing a modern army.

  • Israel could be defeated only through Arab unity and superior military strength.

  • Arab unity required strong Egyptian leadership.

Nasser and the Free Officers

  • Shortly after returning from Palestine, Nasser was elected chairman of the Association of Free Officers in 1952.

The Egyptian Free Officers Movement

  • Comprised of nationalist military officers who led a revolution in 1952.

  • It ended the monarchy and established modern republican Egypt.

  • Formed in the late 1940s, motivated by government corruption, British influence, defeat in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and the ineffectiveness of King Farouk’s regime.

  • Goals included ending British dominance, abolishing the monarchy, and establishing social justice, modernization, and national sovereignty.

Circumstances Favoring Revolution

  • Egypt’s humiliation by Israel

  • Government corruption presided over by King Farouk

  • Permanent unrest on the streets

  • Continued British presence at the Suez Canal

King Farouk's Corruption

  • Lavish lifestyle: Excessive spending, extravagant parties, and luxury items.

  • Political corruption and nepotism: Government positions awarded based on loyalty.

  • Involvement in scandals: Gambling, womanizing, and he was rumored to have stolen valuable items.

  • Military failures: Poor performance in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

  • Alienation from the people: Disregard for national issues.

Battle of Ismailia (1/25/52)

  • On January 25, 1952, a clash between British troops and Egyptian police in Ismailia resulted in the death of 50 policemen.

  • Egyptian guerilla groups had been targeting British interests in the Canal Zone since the fall of 1951.

  • Casualties had reached 33 soldiers killed and 69 wounded by January 23, 1952.

Black Saturday

  • A violent reaction in Cairo on January 26 saw much of the city in flames.

  • Rioters targeted buildings that symbolized the foreign presence, including the opera house, casinos, and banks.

  • 26 people died and more than 500 were injured.

  • The King tried to stabilize the situation, but cabinets came and went.

Free Officers Take Action

  • The Black Saturday riots highlighted both the people's anger and the weakness of the ruling elite.

  • The Free Officers acted preemptively, learning that the King was about to arrest them.

  • On the night of July 22, 1952, units loyal to the Free Officers occupied key posts, involving about 3000 troops and 200 officers.

Overthrow of the Monarchy

  • The officers forced the King to abdicate and leave Egypt.

The Revolutionary Command Council (RCC)

  • The Free Officers established the RCC as an interim government.

  • Their aim was to establish a democracy, not a military government.

  • In June 1953, the RCC abolished the monarchy and proclaimed Egypt a republic.

  • Mohamed Neguib, a distinguished general, was declared president, with Nasser as vice-president.

  • Nasser was the real leader of the revolution.

Factors Responsible for the Emergence of the Free Officers

  • Numerous factors led to the humiliation of the Egyptian people.

  • The weakness of the Egyptian leadership and the British presence.

  • King Farouk was outdated.

  • The political elite lacked legitimacy.

  • Ordinary people felt neglected and supported the Free Officers' promise to end