Nasser Group 3 Claire, Carlee, Keelan, Cara, Cabagayle

Nasser in Power  Nasser’s goals for Egypt were to create independence, social justice and a better standard of living for the middle class.  When Nasser came to power, he wanted to make Egypt independent of external control and provide total government control over the economy.  His ability to maintain power depended on the success of his actions and how he was viewed by society like many other single party leaders.  Nasser had anti-imperialist policies and connected with the concept of ‘positive neutralism.’ Nasser on the cover of Time (Pearson )

Foreign Policy  Nasser believed in non-alignment and embraced “positive neutralism”  Attended the Non-Alignment Conference in 1961  Nasser was friends with Kermit Roosevelt, son of Franklin Roosevelt and the CIA’s Middle Eastern specialist, but a formal alliance was never made with USA  Nasser was hesitant to form alliances, saying they were “too colonial” (Pearson 230)

Foreign Policy  Nasser formed a relationship with the USSR when they agreed to provide arms to Egypt from Czechoslovakia  This relationship was not as close as the USSR would have liked  Tensions in this relationship emerged because Nasser refused to embrace communism  This tension prevented generous aid from being given to Egypt (Pearson 230) Nasser and Khruschev of the USSR

Suez Crisis  1948: Egypt takes over Gaza after the war  1955: Relations between Israel and Egypt worsen after 39 Palestines and Egyptians are killed in a border raid  Aug. 4, 1956: Nasser announces the nationalization of Suez Canal  1956: Israel, Britain, and France plot to take control of the canal by invading Egypt, but failed due to poor planning  Because of this incident, Nasser appeared as a hero and became highly popular in Egypt (Pearson 231) Soldiers during the Suez Crisis

Domestic Policies: Nasser After Suez Political Change  June 1956: New constitution for Egyptian Republic. Stated Islam as national religion and that Egypt was part of “Arab Nation”  Structure of government changed as well, now led by President with 6 year office term and supplemented by a council of ministers and a National assembly. Liberation Rally replaced in 1957 by National Union-intended to replace all political parties. Note: Nasser feared that this political freedom would result in rise of Muslim Brotherhood and communists.  July 1957 National Assembly Elections, in which women voted for the first time. The Assembly was intended to have a majority of lower classes representatives, but the elections resulted in an Assembly of primarily middle-class professionals. (This may be due to the fact that there was a £50 deposit from all candidates to stand for election). (Pearson )

Domestic Policies: Nasser After Suez Political Change  The National Assembly was closed down in March replaced by the UAR. It was still however, able to accomplish significant changes, including: ban of employment of children under 12, measures to improve working conditions, healthcare, food distribution.  Islamic Nationalism- a domestic policy under Nasser that aimed to take Egypt into a new future. Secularized religious courts, advanced women’s rights (both of which were criticized by Muslim Brotherhood) and made primary education mandatory. National Assembly 1957 (Pearson )

Domestic Policies: Nasser After Suez Economic Change  -Confiscation of foreign owned businesses was a result of the nationalization of the Suez Canal.  -In 1957 Nasser began the “Egyptionization” of all foreign companies and agencies to reduce the dependence on foreign investment. A National Planning Committee and the Economic Organization were set up to organize this.  -Five Year Plan in 1958 was set in motion to increase growth of industrial output.  -Being a public and private investment plan, it wasn’t as successful as Nasser had hoped, pushing him to further nationalize after  -Corruption was present in the system. Directed officials used grants towards family and friends and in exchange for bribes.  -Nasser was disappointed that land reform has achieved so little. Production levels rose, but not by much. (Pearson )