Gamal Abdel Nasser

Gamal Abdel Nasser ({{ll|Arabic}}: ???? ??? ??????) ‎ (January 15, 1918 – September 28, 1970) was the second President of Egypt after Muhammad Naguib and is considered one of the most important Arab leaders in history. He was the foremost exponent of Arab Nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s.

Rise to Power

Nasser, a lieutenant colonel in the army, founded and served as leader of the Free Officers Movement, a group of young members of the military all under thirty-five and all from peasant or lower middle-class backgrounds, dedicated to overthrowing the British-backed King Farouk I of Egypt. On July 23, 1952, Nasser led the military coup against King Farouk, which nominally brought to power General Muhammad Naguib, as a figurehead in order to keep the armed forces favorable to the coup organized by such junior officers. However, Nasser, the minister of the interior, was the real force behind the coup.

Related Topics:
Free Officers Movement - King Farouk I of Egypt - July 23 - 1952 - Muhammad Naguib

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In November 1954 Nasser removed Naguib and placed him under house arrest, accusing him of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and knowing of the attempt on his life in October 1954. On February 25 he became the Egyptian premier. A brief power struggle broke out for control of the military and of Egypt, won by Nasser. Two years later, Nasser was the only candidate in presidential elections and subsequently became the second President of Egypt on 23 June, 1956.

Related Topics:
1954 - February 25 - 23 June - 1956

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Nasser centralized the Egyptian state under his rule, aggrandizing the power of the president, nationalising industry, pursuing land reform, and committing himself to building large public works projects, such as the Aswan Dam.

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Nasser's tendency towards dramatic manipulation of politics is highlighted by his handling of the October 26 1954 attempt on his life. While delivering a speech to a crowd, Nasser was shot at eight times by Mahmoud Abd al-Latif, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Though the shooter was at close range, all of the shots missed. Nasser continued speaking without pause, delivering a fiery and instantly legendary oration: "Let them kill Nasser. What is Nasser but one among many? My fellow countrymen, stay where you are. I am not dead, I am alive, and even if I die all of you is Gamal Abdel Nasser." (The complete address is available in RealAudio from the government of Egypt.http://www.sis.gov.eg/thawra/ram/halx54.ram) Nasser's perfect execution of this speech and his bodyguards' lack of protective action in response to the shots led to speculation that the entire event had been staged. Whether or not it was, Nasser used the national anger against the Muslim Brotherhood that resulted to launch his program to eradicate the group.

Related Topics:
October 26 - 1954 - Muslim Brotherhood

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