1952 Egyptian revolution

The 1952 Revolution was a military coup d'état that took place on July 23rd, 1952 by a group of young army officers who named themselves "The Free Officers Movement". The revolution initially aimed at overthrowing the corrupted king FaroukI. However, the movement soon decided to abolish the monarchy and establish a modern democratic republic. The success of the 1952 Revolution inspired numerous Arab and African nations to undergo a similar experience to remove what they believed to be corrupted regimes.

Causes

The Egyptian monarchy was seen as both corrupted and pro-British. With its lavish lifestyle that seemed provocative to the majority of Egyptans who lived in absolute poverty. As well as its policies that completed the image of the Egyptian government being a puppet-figure in the hands of the British government.
The general feeling of the corruptness of several Egyptian institutions such as the police, the palace and even the political parties.
The loss of the 1948 war with Israel led to a general public feeling of dissent and hatred towards the corrupted king.
As a result, a group of army officers who named themselves, the free officers movement. Formed by a young passionate officer named, Gamal Abdel Nasser, but used an army general, Mohamed Naguib as its head to show seriousness and attract more army followers.

In the warning that Gen. Muhammad Neguib conveyed to King Farouk on 26 July upon the king's abdication, he provided a summary of the reasons for the revolution:
In view of what the country has suffered in the recent past, the complete vacuity prevailing in all corners as a result of your bad behavior, your toying with the constitution, and your disdain for the wants of the people, no one rests assured of life, livelihood, and honor. Egypt's reputation among the peoples of the world has been debased as a result of your excesses in these areas to the extent that traitors and bribe-takers find protection beneath your shadow in addition to security, excessive wealth, and many extravagances at the expense of the hungry and impoverished people. You manifested this during and after the Palestine War in the corrupt arms scandals and your open interference in the courts to try to falsify the facts of the case, thus shaking faith in justice. Therefore, the army, representing the power of the people, has empowered me to demand that Your Majesty abdicate the throne to His Highness Crown Prince Emir Ahmed Fuad, provided that this is accomplished at the fixed time of 12 o'clock noon today (Saturday, 26 July, 1952, the 4th of Zul Qa'ada, 1371), and that you depart the country before 6 o'clock in the evening of the same day. The army places upon Your Majesty the burden of everything that may result from your failure to abdicate according to the wishes of the people.

Road to the Revolution

On January 25, 1952, British troops attacked the Egyptian police barracks in Ismailia after the police refused to surrender. Fifty Egyptian police officers were killed and one hundred were wounded. Egypt erupted in fury.
The riots that followed, the Cairo Fires, are seen as the beginning of the end of the monarchy. The next day, January 26, 1952 ("Black Saturday"), what many Egyptans call the second revolution broke out (the first was in the spring of 1919). Riots broke out in Cairo, the rioters attacking foreign interests and businesses. The Egyptian "mob" burned Cairo targeting British interests, airline offices, hotels, cinemas, bars and department stores (such as Shepheard's Hotel, BOAC offices, and the British Turf Club) in particular. Foreign observers who witnessed the burning of Cairo said it looked less like an unruly mob and more like a well-planned and disciplined action.
King Farouk dismisses Mustafa El-Nahhas's government, and in the months that follow, three different politicians are instructed to form governments, each proving short-lived: Ali Maher (27 January -- 1 March), Ahmed Naguib El-Hilali (2 March -- 29 June, and 22 --23 July) and Hussein Sirri (2 -- 20 July). These "salvation ministries," as they were called, fail to halt the country's downward spiral, corruption remaining ubiquitous despite attempts by successive prime ministers to put their houses in order.
Stirrings of discontent are felt in the army, and in January 1952 opposition officers supported by the Free Officers gain control of the governing board of the Officers Club. On 16 July, the King annuls these elections, appointing his own supporters instead in an attempt to regain control of the army.
A Coup d'état is planned for 5 August, but when General Muhamed Naguib, one of the Free Officers, informs the group on 19 July that the army high command had a list of their names, the coup leaders act on the night of 22 July.

The Revolution

On Wednesday morning 23 July, 1952, a military coup occurred in Egypt, carried out by The "Free Officers" and led by General Muhammad Naguib, and that the armed forces were taking up posts in some of the corners and streets in Cairo.
At 7:30 a.m., they heard a broadcast station issue the first communiqué of the revolution in the name of Gen. Muhammad Naguib to the Egyptian people that stated the justification for the revolution or the Blessed Movement. The voice everyone heard reading the message belonged to Free Officer and future president of Egypt, Anwar Sadat:
Egypt has passed through a critical period in her recent history characterized by bribery, mischief, and the absence of governmental stability. All of these were factors that had a large influence on the army. Those who accepted bribes and were thus influenced caused our defeat in the Palestine War [1948]. As for the period following the war, the mischief-making elements have been assisting one another, and traitors have been commanding the army. They appointed a commander who is either ignorant or corrupt. Egypt has reached the point, therefore, of having no army to defend it. Accordingly, we have undertaken to clean ourselves up and have appointed to command us men from within the army whom we trust in their ability, their character, and their patriotism. It is certain that all Egypt will meet this news with enthusiasm and will welcome it. As for those whose arrest we saw fit from among men formerly associated with the army, we will not deal harshly with them, but will release them at the appropriate time. I assure the Egyptian people that the entire army today has become capable of operating in the national interest and under the rule of the constitution apart from any interests of its own. I take this opportunity to request that the people never permit any traitors to take refuge in deeds of destruction or violence because these are not in the interest of Egypt. Should anyone behave in such ways, he will be dealt with forcefully in a manner such as has not been seen before and his deeds will meet immediately the reward for treason. The army will take charge with the assistance of the police. I assure our foreign brothers that their interests, their personal safety [lit. "their souls"], and their property are safe, and that the army considers itself responsible for them. May God grant us success [lit. "God is the guardian of success.

King Farouk sought the intervention of the United States, but to no avail. By the 25th, the army had occupied Alexandria, where the king was in residence at the Muntazah Palace. Now plainly terrified, Farouk abandoned Muntazah, and moved to Ras al-Tin Palace on the waterfront. Naguib ordered the captain of Farouk's yacht, "al-Mahrusa," not to sail without orders from the army. Debate broke between the Free Officers concerning the fate of the deposed king. While some (including Gen. Naguib and Nasser) viewed the best solution as to send him to exile, others argued the urge to trial him and even execute him for the "crimes he commited to the egyptian people". Finally, the order for Farouk to abdicate in favour of his son, Crown Prince Ahmed Fouad, and a Regency Council is appointed and depart into exile finally came on Saturday, July 26, 1952 and at 6 o'clock that evening, the king set sail for Italy.

After the Revolution

The Revolution Command Council (RCC), made up of the previous 9-member command committee of the Free Officers in addition to five more members, including Mohamed Naguib, is formed. Ali Maher is asked to form a civilian government.
Popular expectations for immediate reforms led to the workers' riots in Kafr Dawar on August 12, 1952, which resulted in two death sentences.
Ali Maher resigns on 7 September following differences with the officers. Mohamed Naguib becomes prime minister. On 9 September, the Agrarian Reform Law is passed, signaling a major land redistribution programme among peasant farmers and placing a ceiling of 200 feddans on land ownership. On 9 December, the 1923 Constitution is abrogated "in the name of the people."

On 16 January, the officers of the RCC dissolve and ban all political parties, declaring a three-year transitional period during which the RCC will rule. A provisional Constitutional Charter, giving legitimacy to the RCC, is proclaimed on 10 February, and the Liberation Rally -- the first of 3 political organisations linked to the July regime -- is launched soon afterwards with the aim of mobilising popular support. The Rally is headed by Gamal Abdel-Nasser and includes other Free Officers as secretaries-general.
On 18 June, the RCC declares Egypt a republic, abolishing the monarchy and appointing General Muhammad Naguib, aged 52, as first president and prime minister. Gamal Abdel-Nasser, 35, is appointed deputy premier and minister of the interior.
A Revolutionary Tribunal consisting of RCC members Abdel-Latif El-Boghdadi, Anwar El-Sadat and Hassan Ibrahim, is set up to try politicians of the ancien régime.

1954

In January, the Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed, remaining an illegal political organization ever since. The move comes in the wake of clashes between members of the Brotherhood and Liberation Rally student demonstrators on 12 January. March witnesses clashes within the RCC, symbolised in the attempt, ultimately successful, to oust Naguib. The move faces opposition from within the army, and some members of the RCC, especially Khaled Mohieddin, favour a return to constitutional government. Gamal Abdel-Nasser takes power, first as chairman of the RCC and prime minister, with Naguib's constitutional position remaining vague until 14 November, when he is dismissed from office and placed under house arrest.
On 26 October, an assassination attempt directed at Nasser during a rally in Alexandria leads to the regime acting against the Brotherhood, executing Brotherhood leaders on 9 December.
A treaty is signed with Britain on 19 October for the evacuation of British troops from Egypt, to be completed over the following 20 months. Two years later, on 18 June 1956, Nasser raises the Egyptian flag over the Canal Zone, announcing the complete evacuation of British troops.
On 7 June 1955, a law is promulgated for the "Egyptianisation" of foreign companies and joint ventures.

1956

President Nasser announces a new Constitution on 16 January at a popular rally, setting up a presidential system of government in which the president has the power to appoint and dismiss ministers. An elections law is passed on 3 March granting women the right to vote for the first time in Egyptian history.
Nasser is elected as the second president of the Republic on 23 June.
In 1957, Nasser announces the formation of the National Union (Al-Ittihad Al-Qawmi), paving the way to July elections for the National Assembly, the first parliament since 1952.

The Tripartite Agression

Egypt has been seeking loans from the World Bank since late 1955 to finance the construction of the Aswan High Dam. A tentative agreement with the World Bank, the US and Britain indicates that US$ 70 million will be provided for the project. However, on 20 July 1956, the US and Britain withdraw their offers of funding, and the World Bank goes back on the agreement. On 26 July, Nasser gives a historic speech announcing the nationalisation of the Suez Canal Company, whose revenues will be used to finance the construction of the High Dam that was completed in January 1968. The nationalisation escalates tension between Egypt and Britain and France, which freeze Egyptian assets and put their armies on alert.
On 1 August, the USSR offers to fund the High Dam project. Relations with Britain and France continue to deteriorate throughout the summer, culminating in the Tripartite Anglo- French-Israeli Aggression on Egypt in October. Israeli troops invade Gaza and Sinai on the 29th, while British and French troops attack the Canal Zone on the 31st. Military operations are finally halted under USSR, US and UN pressure on 7 November, and British and French troops evacuated on 22 December.All British and French banks and companies, 15,000 establishments in all, are nationalized, a process that is later extended to all foreign establishments and also to Egyptian firms.

Federation with Syria

In 1958, Egypt unites with Syria on 22 February creating the United Arab Republic (UAR). The 1956 Constitution is abrogated following the union and a provisional one decreed. The Egyptian National Assembly is dissolved. On 2 April, Nasser issues a decree establishing the flag of the Republic as three horizontal bars of red, white and black with two stars. Crackdown on communists on 31 December, for their alleged lukewarm response to the Union with Syria

Following Syrian secession in 1962, a Preparatory Committee of the National Congress of Popular Forces is convened in Cairo to prepare for a National Congress to lay down a Charter for National Action. The 1,750-member Congress of representatives from peasant, labourer, professional and occupational associations meets in May to debate the Draft National Charter presented by Nasser. On 30 June, the Congress approves the Charter, which sets up a new political organisation, the Arab Socialist Union (ASU) to replace the National Union. 50 per cent of the seats in the ASU are to be filled by farmers and workers. Elected ASU units are set up in factories, firms, agricultural cooperatives, ministries and professional syndicates.

Yemen War

In 1962, Egypt becomes involved in the civil war in Yemen, supporting the revolutionary regime of Abdullah Al-Sallal that had ousted the country's former ruler, Imam Badr, and declared a republic. This proved to be a considerable financial and military burden on Egypt and created antipathy with Saudi Arabia, which supported the Yemeni royalists.

1967 War

Under Arab pressure and as a result of rising popular expectations of Arab military might, on 18 May 1967, Nasser asks UN Secretary- General, U Thant, to withdraw the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) stationed on Egypt's side of the border with Israel in Sinai. Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping in retaliation for Israel's diversion of the River Jordan. King Hussein of Jordan visits Cairo on 30 May, signing a Jordanian-Egyptian defense pact.

On 5 June, Egypt is dealt a crushing blow by Israeli army forces. Seventeen Egyptian airfields are attacked, and most of the Egyptian air force destroyed on the ground leading to the Israeli occupation of the Sinai Peninsula. Jordan enters the war on Egypt's side, but is forced to accept a UN Security Council ceasefire on 7 June after Israel occupies the Jordanian-controlled territories of the West Bank and Jerusalem and the Egyptian- controlled Gaza Strip. Egypt also accepts the ceasefire. Israeli troops attack the Syrian Golan Heights, occupying the town of Quneitra. Syria accepts the ceasefire on 10 June.

Unlike during the 1956 Suez Crisis, the international community does not support Egypt, with the UK and US acting in support of Israel. Egypt's defeat in the 1967 War compels Nasser to resign on 9 June, naming Vice-President Zakariyya Mohieddin as his successor. However, he relents following massive popular demonstrations of support. Seven high-ranking officers are tried in the wake of the defeat, including Minister of War Shams Bardan. Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces Field-Marshal Abdel-Hakim Amer is arrested and is reported to have committed suicide while in custody in August.

External links

• The Long Revolution