Egypt Abdul Nasser takes power in Free Officers. United with the Muslim Brotherhood, founded by a teacher interested in scientific subjects and independence for Egypt. Did not like wealthy Egyptians and Europeans who flourished under a poverty stricken country. Believers were fundamentalist Muslims who wanted reforms.

Egypt By the 1930’s the Brotherhood intervened in politics through strikes, riots and assassinations. Egypt’s defeat in the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 and British occupation of the Canal led to a successful coup in 1953 by the Free Officers. By 1954 all political parties had been disbanded and Nasser’s regime imposed social and economic reform.

Egypt Land was redistributed to peasants, education became free and government became the main employer. State subsidies lowered prices of food staples and industrialization introduced. Foreign properties were seized. Nasser became a foreign policy to defeat Israel and hold socialist revolution.

Egypt In 1956 he forced the British from the Suez Canal zone. Many of his reforms failed. Population growth hinders economic advances and Western capitalism prevails. Six day war adds to its problems. Nasser’s successor Sadat ends many programs, comes to terms with Israel, and opens Egypt to Western assistance.

India Preserved civilian rule since independence. Despite overpopulation, India possesses a large industrial and scientific sector, developed communications system and important middle class. Early leaders of the I.N.C. were committed to social reform, economic development and preservation of democracy and civil rights. World’s largest democracy.

India Nehru mixed government and private economic initiatives. Foreign investment frm both the democratic and socialist blocks was accepted. Private investment by farmers was at the heart of the Green Revolution. Industrial and Agrarian growth generated revenues for promoting education, family planning and other social measures.

India India faces problems because it lacks resources to raise the living standards of most of its population. The middle class has grown rapidly, but a majority of Indians have gained little. Partly because of population growth, partly because of wealthy landlords (caste system.)