Gamal Abdel Nasser

1. Gamal Abdel Nasser By; Verna Manson & Kaila Brooks

2. Narrative • The Leader • Gamal Abdel Nasser Jan. 15, 1918 – Sept. 28, 1970 • Had little formal education • From 1935-1936 Nasser was elected Chairman of a committee of Cairo secondary school students interested in Egyptian political reform • In !937 halted his political life and admitted to the Egyptian Military Academy • Lead Egyptian revolution of 1952 • Second president of Egypt from 1956 to his death

3. Historical Context • 1517: Egypt was conquered by the Ottoman Empire • 1882: United Kingdom invaded and occupied Egypt • WW1: Egypt made protectorate of the United Kingdom • 1922: Gained independence from the United Kingdom • 1952: King Farouk overthrown by the “Free Officer Movement” led by Nasser • 1954: Nasser removed the first president, General Muhammad Naguib, from office

4. Elimination of Opposition • In 1952 a rebellious army, the Free Officers Movement, led by General Naguib and Colonel Nasser took power and forced the abdication of King Farouk (Known as 1952 revolution) • Nasser disagreed with many of Naguib’s political matters so he allied with regional and local influential people. Purged all Naguib supporters • In 1956 Nasser proclaimed a new constitution that established Egypt as a one party socialist Arab state with Islam as the official religion • In 1957 elections were held and Egypt became a single party state

5. Origins of Single Party States • Nationalism grew with the fall of ottoman empire • July 1952, the free officers movement, a rebellious army group, led by general Mohammad Naguib and colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser took power and forced the abdication of King Farouk • This milt. Coup d'état is known as the 1952 Revolution • June 18, 1953 Egypt was proclaimed a republic • Nasser disagreed with General Naguib on many political matters and so he ‘allied’ with regional and local influential people. Nasser ultimately became the unchallenged ruler of Egypt • Jan 1958, Nasser proclaimed a new constitution that established Egypt as one party socialist Arab state with Islam as the official religion • 1957, elections were held, Egypt became a single party state

6. Establishment of Single Party States • Nasser decided to plot against the Royal Family, and overthrow King Farouk • On July 23rd 1952, Nasser helped organize a revolt against the Royal Family • They were overthrown after a few days of bloodless revolution • 1956 conflict with the British and French (Nasser wanted to be free of colonialism) • To deal with opposition Nasser did what he could to restore national pride to all Arab nations

7. Rule of single-party states • ECONOMIC POLICIES • Secured funds for the Aswan High dam, which would bring great economic benefits to his country • Nationalized Suez canal in 1956 in order to retaliate and gain more funds for the dam • Affiliation with communists led to withdrawal of British and American support of the dam • Aswan high dam resulted in an increase of crop production • Under nationalization, 7 billion Egyptian pounds of private assets transferred into the public sector • All large companies, major industries, and banks were transferred to public, government control • In the land reforms of 1952 and 1961, private land reduced from 200 to 10 feddans (land area units) • Capital investment increased and electric power, mining and industry flourished

8. Rule of single-party states • POLITICAL POLICIES • Nasser established the rev command council, to solidify the milt hold on the government • In 1952 many new reforms were established to create order: civil service reforms, party system reforms, and agrarian system reforms • The Suez canal was nationalized in 1956 • Nasser made Egypt less dependent on western nations

9. Rule of single-party states • SOCIAL POLICIES • Average living standard was raised • There was an increase in spending for social services, pensions, and benefits • Nasser enacted many land reforms with very socialist ideals • Reduction of agriculture rents • Extreme reduction of private property

10. Rule of single-party states • Role of Education, the media & propaganda • Since Egyptian broadcasting was the best in the middle-east, Nasser used it as a major source of propaganda • Gained exclusive control of all media organs, newspaper kept under state control • Education given to everyone free of cost, hoped to give the deprived a chance to gain control of the future government

11. Rule of single-party states • Use of the arts • The two most influential, well-known Arab Singers at the time made songs praising him • Plays were produced to belittle his opponents.

12. Rule of single-party states • Treatment of minorities and women • Nasser made Egypt an Islamic nation, due to this many Christian Egyptians fled to America, Canada or Western Europe • Land reform & nationalization of business hurt Christian Egyptians (they depended on private businesses) • Women encouraged to get education and work to help economy. After six day war they gained voting rights.

13. Regional and Global Impact • Foreign Policy- stop colonialism • The Suez Canal; 40% was under the control of the French and British • Nasser nationalized the Canal, provoking an attack from the French and British • This attack was looked down upon internationally. Especially by the US, President Eisenhower was openly critical of the French and British • Nasser's’ stand against France and Great Brit made him extremely popular among all Arab Nations

14. Influence on the Cold War • USSR and Egypt were allies • USSR provided Egypt with funding after funding from International Bank stopped after the conflict of 1956 • The USSR gained from this relationship by making a stake in the Mediterranean Sea

15. Works Cited • http://uahsibhistory.wikispaces.com/file/view/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser.pdf • http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/gamal_abdel_nasser.htm • http://nasser.bibalex.org/Common/pictures01-%20sira_en.htm