Egypt, Syria and Iraq Flashcards
Intro to Suez crisis
1956- July Nasser comes to power and nationalises the Suez Canal.
October - Israeli forces push into Suez Canal, initiating the crisis. Britain and France join Israeli sides which nearly brought SU into conflict and damaged relationship with States.
- British, French and Israeli govs withdrew troops in 1956-57.
Catalyst for the crisis
Nationalisation was the catalyst for the attack by the three forces.
2 years previously Egyptian military had begun pressuring the British to withdraw troops in canal zone. Nasser also had periodic conflicts with Israeli troops along the boarder and he did nothing to conceal his antipathy towards the zionist nation.
Nasser was furious at US for providing funds for Aswan Dam. He ordered the canal to be nationalised and British were angry as this was a way they could trade easily with India.
Ultimately the the world opinion of the three nationals condemned their aggression and lack of respect for Egyptian sovereignty.
British Reputation
Britain had no option but to pull out of the attack as it faced serious economic sanctions from the US. British empire disintegrated.
The embarrassment over the defeat only enhanced support for Nasser.
Nasser’s Pan Arabism
success over the Suez for Egypt enhances Nasser and his support for Arab Nationalism.
Pan-Arabism already part of Egyptian society prior to Nasser gaining power but he gained significant strides in emitting Arab unity and helping the struggle against Western Imperialism.
Most important for popularising the idea of Arab nationalism, using Egypt’s size and strategic importance to emphasise the idea of Pan-Arabism. Arab was more than just a cultural identity, it was the ability to influence other countries in the Middle East.
- In many speeches he referred Arabs as “one nation”
Nasser’s policies
Nasser believed that in order for Egypt to fulfil its leadership of the Arab World it must first have fill a strong domestic position before turning attention to the intra-Arab World.
To create internal strength Nasser implemented social and economic policies designed to unite the country and to harness the economic resources as well as mobilizing the country.
Banning political parties and radical groups which didn’t support him, and this centralised his power and by 1962, Nasser established the first mass political party – Arab Socialist Union and this eradicated all his competition.
Introduction of a social contract – food and clothing subside, rent control and low-cost housing and better health care systems.
Intro
Egypt is colonised by British until 1882 until 1956.
Specific case of Syria
Syria Chronology
- 1946 - Syria becomes independent
- 1958-61 Syria joins with Egypt in UAR to neutralise their political enemy, the communists but the 1963 Baathist led coup ends the Union
(Amin al-Hafiz becomes president).
1967 - Syria looses Golden Heights in Six Day War
1970 - Al-Asad assumes presidency (70-00).
Hafez al-Asad’s Presidency:
Gathers people from rural backgrounds and those who have climbed ladder through the military (urban elite). Mixed economic success but used government resources to dominate the commercial and industrial sector. Welcomed Sunni people into the economy.
Was keen to recoup the Golden Heights which was land lost to Israel so there was a need to resist Israel.
Some opposition allowed in comparison to Iraq with Muslim Brotherhood gaining support.
Women involved in politics and education and literacy rates improved.
Specific events in Iraq
In Iraq there is mixed population where some groups are significantly more religious.
Shi’a in south, Sunni in centre and Kurds in the north. Created tension on how to establish political order.
1958 - coup where royal family massacred.
1972 - IPC is nationalised and increases oil prices which develops economy.
social policy, land reforms, bread subsidies and uni fees abolished.
1979 - Saddam Hussain assumes presidency and leader of Ba’th party.
Iraq wins support from western and eastern powers until Iran-Iraq War.
No support of opposition - Kurdish city gassed - 1988.
Invasion of Iraq by American and Saddam is overthrown.
