Gamal Abdel Nasser

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Second President of Egypt

Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein ( , ar

15 January 1918 – 28 September 1970) was an Egyptian revolutionary and politician who served as the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death in 1970. Nasser led the 1952 overthrow of the monarchy and introduced far-reaching land reforms the following year. Following a brief period of Muhammad Naguib's presidency, Nasser assumed executive office in 1954. Nasser's popularity in Egypt and the Arab world skyrocketed after his nationalization of the Suez Canal and his political victory in the subsequent Suez Crisis.

Early Life and Education

Nasser was born on 15 January 1918 in Alexandria, Sultanate of Egypt. He was the eldest of eight children in a family of modest means. Nasser attended primary and secondary school in Alexandria and Cairo. He later enrolled in the Royal Military Academy in Cairo, where he graduated in 1938.

Military Career

Nasser served in the Egyptian Army and participated in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. His experiences in the war, particularly the defeat of the Arab forces, deeply influenced his views on the need for reform and modernization in Egypt.

Revolution and Presidency

In 1952, Nasser and a group of fellow officers known as the Free Officers Movement orchestrated a coup d'état that overthrew King Farouk. Nasser initially served as deputy prime minister in the new government, with Muhammad Naguib as president. However, by 1954, Nasser had consolidated power and became president.

Domestic Policies

Nasser implemented a series of socialist reforms, including land redistribution and the nationalization of key industries. He also promoted secularism and pan-Arabism, seeking to unite the Arab world under a single political and economic system.

Foreign Policies

Nasser's foreign policy was characterized by his opposition to Western influence in the Middle East and his support for anti-colonial movements. His nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956 led to the Suez Crisis, during which Egypt was invaded by Israel, the United Kingdom, and France. The crisis ended with a political victory for Nasser, bolstering his standing in the Arab world.

Death and Legacy

Nasser died of a heart attack on 28 September 1970. He was succeeded by his vice president, Anwar Sadat. Nasser's legacy remains controversial; he is celebrated for his efforts to modernize Egypt and promote Arab unity, but criticized for his authoritarian rule and the economic difficulties that Egypt faced during his presidency.

Related Pages

• Suez Crisis
• Free Officers Movement
• Anwar Sadat
• Muhammad Naguib
• Arab Socialist Union (Egypt)
• Pan-Arabism

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