COLONEL NASSER – ROLE IN THE GROWTH OF ARAB NATIONALISM

‘No other Arab leader in modern times has succeeded in winning the sometimes-hysterical support of Arab masses throughout the Middle East as did Nasser’ – Encyclopedia Britannica.

Early life: Nasser was born on 15 January 1918. From an early age he took part in many anti-British street demonstrations. He later served in the Egyptian army where he met like-minded men, sharing in his ideal to oust the British and Egyptian royal family. He began a secret revolutionary organization ‘the Free Officers’ where he was chosen as the President of the Republic.

In 1936, the King of Egypt, Fahd died and was succeeded by his sixteen year old son Farouk who ruled over Egypt till 1952. King Farouk was the most unpopular king who was known for his extravagant style of living. Due to the inefficiency of the King, the officers of the administration too became corrupt. His foreign policy was also not liked by the people, hence they revolted against him. In order to save himself, King Farouk tried to pacify his people by condemning the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936. But even this did not save the King because in 1952, the people destroyed foreign property on a massive scale. This happened in the month of Jan 1952. In the month of July 1952, Bugadur General Mohammed Naquib organized a coup-d-etat, a military officer of Egyptian army by the name of Lieutenant Colonel Gamel Abdul Nasser. Colonel Nasser set aside General Naquib in 1954 and himself became the military dictator of Egypt. He had to face a number of problems.

In the first Arab Israeli War (1948), Nasser and a few companions were disillusioned with the dishonest communiques the government had issued on the progress of the battle, the corruption in the medical supplies and the uselessness of their equipment. It became increasingly obvious to Nasser and the office at that time that the British had to be removed and the entire system of government had to be changed.

On 23 July 1952, Nasser and a few officers staged an almost bloodless revolution, ousting the monarchy. The country was taken over by Nasser with General Mohammed Naquib as the puppet head of the State. But in the spring of 1954, Naquib and Nasser began to argue with each other, and the former was deposed and placed under house arrest. Nasser now emerged from the shadows and named himself Prime Minister.

Achievements: His achievements are as under:

First Agrarian Reform Law of 1954: In order to improve the agricultural output and to bring economic change int eh agrarian field Colonel Nasser passed the agrarian reform law. As per the law the peasants were to keep a fixed amount of land. The excess land was taken over by the government by giving compensation to the owner. The land was leased to the actual cultivators for a period of minimum three years. The farm laborers were given the right of farming unions. A committee was appointed for fixing daily wages of farm laborers. Moreover, agricultural cooperatives were set up for the benefit of the owners. The agrarian reform of Colonel Nasser was a grand success. It was executed by a High Committee for Agriculture independent from governmental interference.

Aswan Dam Issue: Western imperialist powers did not like to see the popularity of Colonel Nasser over the Aswan Dam Issue. President Colonel Nasser wanted to construct a dam on the river Nile. Britain and United States of America had agreed to help him by giving financial aid. The dam was to provide irrigational facility, generate electricity and control flood. However, Great Britain and France looked into the construction of the dam as an instrument of Arab attack on Israel. But in reality, they did not like the growing friendship of Egypt with Soviet Russia. Hence, they refused to give financial aid. This step did not bring Nasser to their terms. He got the money from USSR and constructed the dam. The Arabs appreciated him.

Nationalization of the Suez Canal: Colonel Nasser retaliated to the move of USA and Britain by proclaiming the nationalization of Suez Canal in 1956. He told the world that the Aswan Dam would not be constructed out of the profits which would come by the nationalization of Suez Canal. The move of Colonel Nasser shocked USA and Britain because of two reasons. Firstly, the Suez Canal had strategic importance. Secondly, both the nations had heavily invested in the shares of the Suez Canal. John Foster Dulles, an advocate of Dollar Imperialism in Afro Asian countries tried to mediate by proposing for the internationalization of the Canal at the London Conference. USA, Britain, and France formed the Canal’s Users Association. It was but natural for Colonel Nasser to get angry. He remained firm and started operating the canal independently in September 1956. The firm determination of Nasser against the great western power further added to his prestige and popularity.

Arab Israel War or Egypt Israel war of 1956: In order to teach Colonel Nasser a lesson, Great Britain and France instigated Israel against Egypt and the result was the Egypt Israel War of 1956. Great Britain and France did not consult President Eisenhower of America before taking such a step. The combined armies of Israel, France and Britain succeeded in conquering the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula, Port Said and a portion of the Suez Canal was also captured by Anglo French Israel action and threatened Egypt. USA got alarmed as this could give Soviet Russia a chance to penetrate into West Asia. Therefore, fear of spread of communism in West Asia, compelled America to force Great Britain and France through the UN organization. It demanded immediate ceasefire in Egypt. Thus, it was USA and USSR intervention which forced the UN General Assembly to order for the immediate restoration of peace. England and France immediately withdrew and the war was over. The event was of great significance in the sense that even Western powers like Britain and France were unable to defeat Egypt. Moreover, they lost the chance to have their say in West Asia. For Egypt, it was triumph of Arab Nationalism.

Establishment of United Arab Republic (UAR): The strong, firm, and bold step of Colonel Nasser against the great western powers made the whole Arab world look at him as a leader. The defeat at the hands of Israel made them seek a personality of great leadership and organization who could create unity among the Arabs. Hence, when they found such a person in Colonel Nasser, they supported him. The President of Syria proposed a union of Syria and Egypt. The willingness of colonel Nasser to have such a union led to the establishment of the United Arab Republic on 1 November 1958. Nasser himself became the President of UAR with Cairo as his headquarters. Thus, he became the leader of the Arab world for championing the cause of Arab Nationalism.

Thus Colonel Nasser achieved a lot during his period. He boosted Arab Nationalism and enabled Egypt to witness economic and political soundness. His land reforms gave the landless land. Industrialization started and the Western Imperialist forces were cut to size. Nasser followed the policy of non-alignment which also brought fame to him from the third world. He became so popular among the people that they even started worshiping him. Nasserism as a cult grew.

However, Colonel Nasser was not successful in all his efforts. Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq did not like his stand. Syria also developed differences with Egypt due to which United Arab Republic broke down in 1961. Colonel Nasser died in 1970.