Nationalism in Egypt

Q Give and account of the rise of Nationalism in Egypt since the world war-1.

Ans When Britain and Ottoman empire went to war in 1914, Britain proclaimed a protectorate over Egypt without asking or receiving permission from Egyptian nation. A delegation'WAFD' party (established in 1919) and led by Saad Zaghlul Pasha met with the British High Commissoner and demanded that Egypt should be represented at the peace conference in Paris in 1919 as an independent power. They also asked for permission to travel to London to lobby for Egyptian independence. Saad had been vice president of legislative  assembly and Minister of Education.
          Saad was arrested and he along with associates were deported to Malta. This led to an insurrection in which students, workers and other classes paralysed the whole country. Coercive measures by the British could not lead to anything. Therefore Saad was released  and allowed to procced to Paris where he attended the Peace conference. From Paris he went to London to place Egypt's case.
      The British govt. sent lord Millner on a mission to investigate the cause of Egyptian dissatisfaction. His recommendations found the basis of Anglo-Egyptian treaty which was signed by Great Britain and Sultan Fuad of Egypt in 1921. Britain proclaimed the country  an independent Monarchy under King Fuad. However, the British still retained the right to station troops there. Egypt continued to be closely allied with Britain did little to moderate Fuad's autocratic rule.
     The treaty of 1921 was rejected and opposed by the nationalists of Egypt. Fresh riots broke out. Saad Zaghlul Pasha was again deported. Constitution was restored in 1923. The 'WAFDISTS' secured an overwhelming majority. Zaghlul Pasha was called again and he became the Premier of Egypt.
    A serious crisis arose in 1924 when the British Govt.'s Governor General in Sudan was assasinated in Cairo. Zaghlul Pasha denounced the crime and promised swift action against the culprits But the Britishers did not budge and put many conditions  on Egypt. The occupied the custom houise at Alexandria. Saad Zaghlul opposed these measures and resigned in protest. He died in 1927.
    After Saad, Nahas Pasha became the leader of Wafd party. He refused to accept a new treaty proposed by British govt. The people became restless. Parliament was suspended and Sidky Pasha, the leader of the rival party assumed power and promised a new constitution for Egypt in 1930. He tried his best to suppress the nationalists but couldnot succeed and resigned in 1933. WAFDISTS again succeeded in election of 1936 and Nahas Pasha again became the Premier of Egypt.
    Nahas Pasha entered into negotiations with British which resulted in Anglo Egyptian treaty of  1936. Britain agreed to recognize the independence of Egypt and withdrawl of troops from the  country except the Suez canal. Britain secured the right to station 10,000 men in Suez zone for 20 years. Nahas Pasha hoped that the British would give Egypt complete independence after the world war-II which  they had promised many times since 1881. However, King Farouq dismissed Nahas in 1944.
   In January, 1952 anti-British riots in Cairo caused extensive damage and accelerated the evacuation of canal zone by the British. However, the most profound change in Egypt occured in July, 1952. King Farouq of Egypt was deposed by the military coup headed by General Naguib and Col. Jamal Abdel Nasser. Soon Nasser became the real head in Egypt. By the Cairo agreement in 1954, Britain undertook to withdraw its forces from the Canal zone in 1956.