The Middle East: Nasserism 1952-1970 (depth)

  • Humiliation of the First-Arab Israeli War for Arab countries

    Many Arab's felt humiliated by the Israeli win in this war, considering the were a brand new state. This sowed the seeds of Nasser and the Free Officers to think about overthrowing the controversial and corrupt Egyptian king
  • King of Egypt overthrown by army officers

    King allowed to flee the country, revolution success announced over radio
  • Nasser became president of Egypt

    Champion of Pan-Arabism - strengthens Arab socialist movement
  • Nasser announces Czech arms deal

    Agreement to buy arms from the Czech government in return for sales of cotton and rice. Egyptian supply of weapons including Soviet aircrafts and tanks. Nasser considered a hero against Western hegemony. Conflicted with Nasser's non-aligned position
  • UN ceasefire and Anglo-French withdrawal from Egypt

    Both powers failed to regain control - marked the end of western influence in the Arab world
  • The Baghdad Pact formed

    Anti-Soviet alliance formed by Britain, Turkey, Iran and later, Pakistan and Iraq. Nasser viewed the pact as a form of Western intervention, led to campaign to prevent Iraq from joining
  • Nationalisation of Suez Canal

    Canal initially under Anglo-French jurisdiction but Nasser's nationalisation restricted Great Power's influence. Nasser planned to use profits to build the Aswan Dam. Canal considered Britain's 'jugular vein', granting her access to key trading routes to the rest of their empire
  • Israeli forces invaded Egypt

    Speed of victory over Egyptian forces exemplified IDF as the strongest force in the Middle East.
  • British and French forces bomb Egyptian airfields

    Destroyed most of Egypt's forces - Egypt responded by sinking ships as a means of obstructing naval advances. France agreed to sell Israel over 70 fighter planes and 200 tanks
  • UN peacekeeping force established on Israeli-Egyptian border

    Crisis heightened anti-Western sentiments and made Israel appear more of an example of Western imperialism
  • Period: to

    Existence of the United Arab Republic

    Short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria (peak of Arab nationalism)
  • Egypt sign a defence agreement with Syria

    Each country would support each other if they were attacked. Soviet union persuaded Egyptian foreign minister to sign to reduce chances of Israeli attack on Syria and bring Syrians closer under Nasser's influence
  • May crisis led to Third Arab Israeli War

    Syria attacked an Israeli tractor working in the demilitarised area with armour plated tractors as Israeli response - escalated and led to tanks and heavy military weapons being used
  • Israeli victory in Six-Day War

    Cease-fire on Israel-Syrian front. Arabs lost half of their military equipment. Jordanian air force destroyed. Arab casualties: over 18,000, Israeli casualties: 700. Nasser resignation after Israel look the Sinai Peninsula, and occupied Golan Heights and the West Bank, whilst taking control of Jerusalem. 350,000 Palestinian refugees - most fled to Jordan
  • UN Resolution 242

    Adopted unanimously by the UN in the aftermath of the Six-day War concerning the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from occupied territories. Idea of providing a 'just and lasting peace' in the region. Formed the basis for later peace negotiations. Israel did not acknowledge the rules of resolution and continued to practice their authority over the occupied territories.
  • War of attrition between Egypt and Israel

    Stems from unresolved issues of the 1967 war. Israel and Egypt continue fighting through air raids
  • Death of Nasser

    Death of Arab nationalism, leaving a political vacuum with regards to the lack of a united force for the Arabs. Led to increase in Western collaboration under Sadat