Egypt and Arab Nationalism
by- Sid Medapati
Summery and Background
In the Middle East, nationalism was a big issue. Conflict increased between the independent Arab states created after 1920. After the end of WWII, many jews fled from Europe to Palestine but problems increased. The British mandate in Palestine did not solve the problems between the Palestinian Arabs and the Jews presented the issue to the United Nations. This area was then divided into Palestine and Israel. When the British withdrew in 1947, civil war broke out between the two sides and the Jews proclaimed Israel a nation. In Egypt, an Egyptian nationalist, Nasser, came to power and seized control of the vital Suez Canal to help build up his nation’s economy through the obtained taxes. This led to conflict between Egypt and Great Britain, France, and Israel. In the Middle East, many of the problems continued to revolve around religion. Nationalist struggles in other nations like Vietnam started to take place.
Nasser and his nationalism --Military leaders under Gamal A. Nasser seized power in 1952, by committing themselves to oppose Israel and taking command of the Arab world. -They used military force, to achieve a political revolution. -Although, Nasser and his ministers were opposed by communists and the Muslim brotherhood, they were successful in staging a coup. -Nasser became prime minister after king Farouk, a leader of pan-Arab nationalism. -Nasser allied mainly with the Nations in the Bagdad pact(Britain, the U.S, Turkey, Iraq, and Iran) for military support. -Egypt became neutral in cold war like India, accepted aid from both powers. -Nasser dedicated to ending imperialism and destroying state of Israel. |
The Suez crisis
-The Prime Minister of Egypt Nasser decided to nationalize Suez canal, to collect money (passing through the canal taxes) which, will help in finance construction of a massive dam of the Nile river in Aswan.
-Since he didn't let any other nation keep control (including Britain), French, British, and Israeli forces joined to take control of the canal.
-Although the military campaign was successful, on a diplomatic level they had failed.
-After this Nasser had gained a lot of prestige as a leader.
-The superpowers condemned military action and forced them to withdraw.
-Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal but won't give other nations partial control, which leads to an attack by Britain, France, and Israel, who are then forced to withdraw by the US.
-Suez crisis divided United States and its allies in western Europe.
-Since he didn't let any other nation keep control (including Britain), French, British, and Israeli forces joined to take control of the canal.
-Although the military campaign was successful, on a diplomatic level they had failed.
-After this Nasser had gained a lot of prestige as a leader.
-The superpowers condemned military action and forced them to withdraw.
-Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal but won't give other nations partial control, which leads to an attack by Britain, France, and Israel, who are then forced to withdraw by the US.
-Suez crisis divided United States and its allies in western Europe.
Analysis - Nasser
After World War II, the geo political situation in the early 50s was conducive for Nasser to take control over the Egypt and establish himself as the most viable Muslim leader in the Pan-Arab region to control Arab countries . Nasser was the first leader to take a bold foreign policy. After, the emancipation of the British control over Egypt, Nasser adopted an anti-West approach due to western imperialist policies. Nasser’s neutralist approach during consolidation of his power as well as mediation of discussions between the pro-Western, pro-Soviet groups has gained him leadership position in the Arab world in addition to getting much required support in the regional conflicts with British, French as well as Israel. Many a times he was able to turn cold war enmity between USA and Soviet Union to his advantage in the region. Especially during call for Suez Canal nationalization and ensued crisis management earned him an indisputable leadership position in Egypt and the Arab world. Egypt was frustrated by the pro-Israel policy of the West and it had condemned the Israeli occupation of Palestine after the end of the British mandate. Egypt regarded Israel a threat to its security and western support for Israel made the Egyptian leaders more uncomfortable. Therefore Egypt focused on strengthening its armed forces to counter balance Israel’s and it's allies military might. During his regime although, Egypt was defeated by Israel in the 1967 Six-day War, precedence of his legacy for future dictatorial governance in Egypt. Historians describe Nasser as a towering political figure of the Middle-East in the 20th century.
Skit-- Digital enhancement
Defending Suez canal speech by Nasser (fictional)
'Today my dear friends the British, the french, and the Israeli forces joined to take back the Suez canal. But the Suez canal belongs to us!! and only us!!. Nobody else, is going to take it from us they can try, but we will defend it with all we have got. My loyal officers, and i want to help our great nation Egypt be economically stable and also give you all cheaper water. My plans for this nation are boundless, and i will do what it takes to make this nation a stable and independent. We may have a long road to go and achieve this, but with all your support we can achieve this. We believe in International law, and we may be a small nation, But that does not make us a weak nation. So lets do this!!!'
'Today my dear friends the British, the french, and the Israeli forces joined to take back the Suez canal. But the Suez canal belongs to us!! and only us!!. Nobody else, is going to take it from us they can try, but we will defend it with all we have got. My loyal officers, and i want to help our great nation Egypt be economically stable and also give you all cheaper water. My plans for this nation are boundless, and i will do what it takes to make this nation a stable and independent. We may have a long road to go and achieve this, but with all your support we can achieve this. We believe in International law, and we may be a small nation, But that does not make us a weak nation. So lets do this!!!'
Video
Bibliography-
Google images-
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Revolution_flag_of_Egypt_1919.svg/2000px-Revolution_flag_of_Egypt_1919.svg.png
http://52897393-689713154614750077.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/5/2/8/9/52897393/313895350.jpg
http://rileygillam.weebly.com/uploads/8/8/1/1/8811327/255053120.gif
http://www.thenational.ae/storyimage/AB/20100918/ARTICLE/309189992/AR/0/&NCS_modified=20131009110349&MaxW=640&imageVersion=default&AR-309189992.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Nasser_in_Mansoura,_1960.jpg
youtube-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l78kiUQ-I5Y
Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser
Traditions and encounters
Google images-
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Revolution_flag_of_Egypt_1919.svg/2000px-Revolution_flag_of_Egypt_1919.svg.png
http://52897393-689713154614750077.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/5/2/8/9/52897393/313895350.jpg
http://rileygillam.weebly.com/uploads/8/8/1/1/8811327/255053120.gif
http://www.thenational.ae/storyimage/AB/20100918/ARTICLE/309189992/AR/0/&NCS_modified=20131009110349&MaxW=640&imageVersion=default&AR-309189992.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Nasser_in_Mansoura,_1960.jpg
youtube-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l78kiUQ-I5Y
Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_Abdel_Nasser
Traditions and encounters