 1953 (Nasser VP) Nasser negotiated the British withdrawal from Suez  1954 long divisive break from Naguib  Early 1955, raids by Israel on Egyptian border plus the creation of the Baghdad Pact: Britain, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan Nasser saw these as major threats  He sought financial and military backup from the west but was rejected  Nasser turned to the Eastern bloc—arms deal with Czechoslovakia (ruled by Tito, communist), balanced the power versus Israel/west

 1955 Bandung Conference: meeting of recently decolonized African and Asian states to discuss economic cooperation and to oppose imperialism/colonization  Nasser was viewed as the spokesman for the Arab world  This began the Non-Aligned Movement

 Some international recognition solidified Nasser’s internal/domestic position  January 1956 a new constitution was drafted, forming Egypt into a single party state  (The Constitution of 1956 was the constitution of Egypt from 22 July 1957 to 1958 and from 1961 to It replaced the Constitution of 1923 and was replaced by the Constitution of It was restored in 1961, until it was replaced by the Constitution of 1963.)  The new political party was the National Union and they nominated Nasser for president  Nasser ran uncontested in the 1956 elections, approving himself as president (99.9%) and the new constitution was passed

 Arab nationalism, spread this to other Arab nations  Solidify Egyptian independence  Modernize Egypt as an Arab state  End all foreign influence  Incorporate more levels of society into government  Redistribute the wealth of the country Arab Socialism

 Two ways to consolidate power: Repress opposing parties/individuals Appoint/monitor/secure loyal people  Use the quotes from Nasser to determine some ways he completed these two objectives  /middleeast/vote-validates-egypts- constitution-and-military- takeover.html?_r=0