African Timeline

Egypt Independence Timeline

Literature:

The Anglo-Egyptian War lasted from May to August 1882.

The importance of this propaganda is that if gives the British have more control and support over Egypt, as they are putting these photographs everywhere, and making the people of Egypt lose hope to having freedom.

The Illustrated London News provided sketches every week to keep British audiences updated. This image followed the final conflict at Tell el Kebir which killed 2,000 Egyptians and resulted in the surrender of Colonel Ahmed ‘Urabi’s army. As in iconographic propaganda by the pharaohs showing defeat of their foreign enemies, British forces were represented as victorious on the battlefield to justify their interference.

Analysis:

Colonial rule in Egypt, particularly under British influence from 1882 to 1952, had a multifaceted impact on the country. Economically, Egypt experienced exploitation as the British sought to secure control over the Suez Canal, resulting in policies favoring British interests and the concentration of wealth. The introduction of land reforms transformed the agrarian structure, but these changes often benefited a privileged class. Politically, Egypt's nominal independence in 1922 still left significant British influence, limiting true self-determination. The colonial era ignited a strong nationalist movement, exemplified by the 1919 Revolution, setting the stage for future independence efforts. Culturally, the interaction with British institutions and modernization efforts left lasting influences, shaping aspects of Egypt's societal norms. The Suez Crisis of 1956 highlighted the continued strategic importance of the region. Overall, the legacy of colonial rule in Egypt includes a complex interplay of economic inequality, political constraints, nationalist fervor, and cultural changes that influenced the country's trajectory into the post-colonial period.

1952

1971

1919

1922

1956

Egyptian Revolution of 1952

Arab Republic of Egypt

Suez Crisis

Egypt declared independence

Egyptian Revolution of 1919

In 1952, the Egyptian Revolution unfolded as the Free Officers Movement, led by General Muhammad Naguib and Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, overthrew the monarchy of King Farouk I. The revolution was driven by grievances such as corruption, economic inequality, and British influence. King Farouk's ousting marked the end of the monarchy, and General Naguib initially assumed the presidency. However, in 1954, Nasser took over as the president, consolidating power. The revolution brought about significant political and social changes, setting the stage for Nasser's presidency characterized by land reforms, nationalization of the Suez Canal, and a commitment to pan-Arabism. The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 marked a turning point in the country's history, ushering in a new era of governance and asserting Egypt's independence from external influences.

In 1971, Egypt underwent a political transition and officially became the Arab Republic of Egypt. This marked a consolidation of President Anwar Sadat's leadership, following the death of President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970. During this period, Sadat initiated a series of economic and political reforms, moving away from Nasser's socialist policies. One of the most significant events during Sadat's presidency was the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978, leading to the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel and paving the way for Egypt's return to the Arab League in 1989. The establishment of the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1971 reflected a shift in political and diplomatic strategies as Egypt sought to address domestic challenges and redefine its international relationships.

In 1956, the Suez Crisis unfolded when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway controlled by British and French companies. In response to Nasser's actions and fearing the potential threat to their strategic interests, the United Kingdom, France, and Israel colluded in a military intervention. The invasion aimed to regain control of the canal and remove Nasser from power. However, the international community, including the United States and the Soviet Union, strongly opposed the invasion, leading to diplomatic pressure and a withdrawal of the invading forces. The Suez Crisis marked a significant shift in global geopolitics, emphasizing the decline of traditional colonial powers and the rise of Cold War dynamics in the Middle East.

Rooted in dissatisfaction with British occupation and exacerbated by wartime exploitation and the deportation of dissenting leaders, the revolution erupted in March 1919 following the death of nationalist Saad Zaghlul's aide. The Wafd Party, led by Zaghlul, spearheaded the demands for independence, triggering widespread protests and civil disobedience. The British responded with violent repression and martial law. Despite not achieving immediate independence, the revolution catalyzed political reforms, prompting the British to reassess their policies. This uprising, extensively covered by the media, garnered international attention, contributing to global awareness of Egypt's struggle for sovereignty.

In 1922, Egypt declared independence through a series of political developments. The aftermath of World War I, coupled with the Egyptian Revolution of 1919 led by nationalist leader Saad Zaghlul, set the stage for change. The Wafd Party, led by Zaghlul, played a pivotal role in demanding independence from British influence. Recognizing the growing unrest, the UK government negotiated the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1922, officially recognizing Egypt as an independent sovereign state. Sultan Ahmed Fuad became the first monarch of the newly established Kingdom of Egypt. The achievement of independence in 1922 was a result of diplomatic negotiations, nationalist movements, and the prominent leadership of figures like Saad Zaghlul, culminating in the recognition of Egypt's sovereignty by the British.2.

1979

1936

1882

1958

1953

Peace Treaty with Israel

Anglo-Egyptian Treaty

The British Conquers Egypt

United Arab Republic

Egypt is Declared as a Republic

The British occupation of Egypt in 1882 marked the onset of a period of British influence and control, initiated under the pretext of restoring order during the Urabi Revolt. Originally intended to address economic difficulties within the Ottoman Empire, the intervention evolved into a de facto occupation following the British victory at the Battle of Tel el-Kebir. With strategic interests in the Suez Canal, the British established a military occupation, shaping Egypt into a protectorate. The occupation, driven by imperial interests, transformed Egypt into a key asset for the British Empire, influencing political, economic, and social aspects. Despite officially remaining part of the Ottoman Empire until 1914, Egypt's administration was effectively controlled by the British.

In 1958, Egypt and Syria merged to form the United Arab Republic (UAR) under the leadership of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The union was driven by nationalist and pan-Arab ideals, aiming to create a unified Arab state. Nasser, a charismatic leader, sought to strengthen Arab solidarity and confront shared challenges. However, internal tensions and political differences between Egypt and Syria led to the dissolution of the union in 1961, reverting both countries to their separate political entities.

The Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936, also known as the Treaty of Montreux, aimed to redefine the UK-Egypt relationship, modifying terms from the 1922 treaty. Noteworthy points include the termination of the British protectorate, allowing Egypt greater control while permitting a British military presence in the Suez Canal Zone for 20 years. Economic cooperation and provisions for the use of military bases were outlined.

In 1979, Egypt made a historic diplomatic move by signing the Camp David Accords with Israel, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. Facilitated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin reached an agreement that ended decades of hostility between the two nations. The treaty, signed in March 1979, normalized diplomatic relations, resolved longstanding conflicts, and included the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula, which Egypt had lost during the Six-Day War in 1967. The peace treaty was a groundbreaking development in the Middle East, making Egypt the first Arab nation to officially recognize and establish peaceful relations with Israel. However, the move was met with controversy in the Arab world, leading to Egypt's suspension from the Arab League until 1989. The peace treaty with Israel represented a significant shift in regional dynamics and set the stage for further diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

In 1953, following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, Egypt declared itself a republic. The revolution, led by the Free Officers Movement under General Muhammad Naguib and Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, ousted King Farouk I. This marked the end of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. General Naguib initially became the first President of Egypt, and the country underwent a series of political transformations. In 1954, Nasser assumed the presidency, consolidating power and instituting significant economic and social reforms.

Works Cited

Allouche, Yasmina. "Remembering the 1952 Egyptian Revolution." Middle East Monitor, 23 July 2017, www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170723-remembering-the-1952-egyptian-revolution/. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

"Britain in Egypt." University of Cambridge, www.whipplelib.hps.cam.ac.uk/special/exhibitions-and-displays/conflicting-chronologies/britain-egypt#:~:text=The%20British%20military%20occupied%20Egypt,until%20the%20First%20World%20War. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

Johnson, David. "Egypt's 1919 Revolution." Socialist Alternative, 3 Apr. 2019, www.socialistalternative.org/2019/04/03/egypts-1919-revolution/. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

Landious. landioustravel.com/egypt/history-egypt/united-arab-republic/. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

Reed, Betsy, editor. "Historic Anglo-Egyptian treaty signed in London – archive, 1936." The Guardian, 27 Aug. 2021, www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/27/historic-anglo-egyptian-treaty-signed-in-london-archive-1936. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

---, editor. "Unilateral declaration of Egyptian independence – archive, 1922." The Guardian, 28 Feb. 2022, www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/unilateral-declaration-of-egyptian-independence-1922. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

"Suez Crisis." History.com, 14 Sept. 2022, www.history.com/topics/cold-war/suez-crisis. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.

Zunes, Stephen, and Jesse Laird. "Egyptian Independence: 1919-22." International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, Jan. 2011, www.nonviolent-conflict.org/egyptian-independence-1919-22/#:~:text=Nonviolent%20boycotts%2C%20petitions%2C%20pamphleteering%2C,Egypt%20on%20February%2028%2C%201922. Accessed 15 Dec. 2023.