In 1956, as a result of continuing economic problems, as well as foreseeing the opportunity to assert Egyptian independence, Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal in hopes of resolving the latter domestic problems. This came to the great popularity of the Egyptian as well as Arab people; however, it came to great concern on behalf of the British, French, and Israelis, who subsequently invaded Egypt shortly after its nationalization. It was a key trading route for the British and French and posed a strategic as well as idealistic threat for the Israelis. The US and the Soviet Union responded swiftly by condemning the act and demanding that the invading forces withdraw, something that was accomplished soon after. Domestic problems continued within Egypt, however, despite this reality, Nasser’s popularity within is respective country and in this Arab world collectively continued to grow.

“During the period from 1952 to 1967, Gamal Abd al-Nasser was the embodiment of what the Arab world wanted to be: assertive, independent and engaged in the construction of a new society freed of the imperial past and oriented toward a bright Arab future. His initiatives were copied in other Arab states, and so dominant was his stature that such terms as Nasserism and Nasserite became common political currency…He seemed to represent progressive reformism in contrast to the old elite’s stagnant immobility; and he projected a spirit of hope that made many believe in the possibility of the rebirth of a new and powerful Arab order” (Cleveland, pg. 293). The end of the Second World War started a period of renewed Anglo-Egyptian tensions. Relations between the two countries were still governed by the treaty of 1936; which placed restrictions on Egyptian sovereignty. The domestic political and economic condition was exemplified by the numerous protests and backlash against the British presence as well as the presence of the monarch under Faruq. The gap between rich and poor within Egyptian society continued to increase while the majority of the people lived in poverty or were exposed to the continuance of diminishing living standards and conditions. This coupled with continued repression against free speech, protest, and the desire to seek self-determination infuriated the Egyptian masses to the boiling point of the revolution of 1952. The colonel leading the young officers of the revolution, Nasser, embodied everything that the Egyptian people were looking for. He was brash and assertive, and promised economic reforms and a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. His envisionment for Egyptian and the Arab society collectively would prove to evolve unlike anything he had envisioned or expected.

“The British occupation of Egypt produced one of the most significant colonial encounters of the modern era. It shaped Egyptian economic development for several decades, it had an impact on the formation of the country’s political leadership, and it became the focus of an ant imperial nationalist movement that affected Egyptian (and British) politics for the first half of the twentieth century” (Cleveland, pg.102). Widespread resentment towards British colonization grew. The relationship between the two countries at first was not defined in the beginning of the twentieth century. However, after direct control of Egypt revealed the economic benefits that resulted as well as the route to the India, and the desire not to give it up to France, Britain was left with no choice but to maintain occupation. This occupation came to the detriment of the majority of Egyptians who were used as a labor force to support the British economy. Furthermore, the preconceived biases and racist propaganda, which was manipulated to justify occupation, enraged the Egyptians. “The individual who presided over the occupation with absolute authority for its fi

Some topics in this essay:
King Fuad, Ottoman Empire, France Britain, World War, Muslim Brotherhood, , Israel Syria, Egypt Arab, Empire Egypt, Egyptians Despite, cleveland pg, ottoman empire, muslim brotherhood, france britain, arab world, tanzimat reforms, left choice, egyptian people, people collectively, arab people, arab world collectively, perpetuated anti-western sentiment, king hussein jordan, abdul hamid ii, france britain russia,