Download Egypt

Egypt
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Population 80 Million, most populous Arab
country
40% of population lives in city.
Life expectancy at birth 72.
Religion 90% Sunni Muslim; 10% Coptic
Christian.
Literacy 71% (women 59%, men 83%)
Economy
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GDP per capita: $6200
Unemployment rate 9.4%
20% of population below poverty line.
Mohammed Ali
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Defeated the Ottoman sultan, defeated the
Wahhabis for the Ottoman and became the de
facto ruler of Egypt around 1800.(although
technically still a part of the Ottoman empire)
Yes!
NO
Wahhabi Uprising
North African After the Capitulations
Suez Canal built by
French/Egyptian consortium: 1869
Suez project finished by Britain
1879
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Egypt left in deep debt, so Britain invaded and
essentially took over Canal and economic
interests.
Mandate System
Basically fell under British rule until
after WWI
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In 1922, Egypt granted independence, but
fought over during WWII.
King Farouk, a westernized Egyptian King
installed. Playboy, hated by people, same old
story.
Seen as Western puppet.
After WWII
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In 1952, after military coup, General Abdul
Nasser came to power.
Another secular leader. Pan Arabist.
Pan Arabism: a socialist dream State
Nasser
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Was anti-British, anti-Imperialist, anti Israel.
Recognized Red China
Got weapons from Soviets.
In 1956, like Mossediq in Iran, Nasser
nationalized the Suez canal.
United States didn’t like recognition of China,
but did not want Britain to invade.
Nasser also wanted to re-annex Sudan, after
Britain had just let it go.
Suez Canal Crisis 1956-57
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Britain, France, and Israel invade Egypt
Israel which had been denied access to Red Sea
and Canal and was worried about Soviet
weapons, wanted to invade, were supported by
France and Britain
Israel easily defeated Egyptian, occupying Gaza
and Sinai.
U.N. made them give it back.
United Arab Republic 1958-61
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A nation comprised of Egypt and Syria, but
they couldn’t get along.
1967: Six Day War
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Led Egypt in war that Israel won in 6 days.
Israel occupies the West Bank, Gaza and Sinai.
Nasser resigns but his people won’t let him, still wildly popular
with secular Egyptians.
Agrees to resolution 242, accepting Israel’s right to exist behind
the pre 1967 Lines (Green line). Unpopular decision.
Helps the PLO to organize and starts minor skirmishes near
Canal against Israel. Tries to convince Arafat to make peace, with
Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza.
Introduces PLO to Soviets.
Nasser Dies 1970
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Anwar Sadat made President.
1973: Yom Kippur War
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Egypt once again defeated by Israel.
Camp David: 1978
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Egypt makes peace with Israel and gets the Sinai
back. Israel keeps Gaza and West Bank.
1978 Camp David Accords
Sadat Assassinated by Soldiers in
1981
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Based on Fatwah pronounced by Sheik Omar
Abdul Rahman, later convicted for World Trade
Center bombing in 1993.
In the ensuing trail of militant, Hymen Zawahri
rose to prominence as spokesman. Now second
in command of Al Qaeda.
Muslim Brotherhood
Hosni Mubarak his V.P. Takes over
and has ruled since in a police state
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Censorship
Arrests and torture without charge
Rule in “state of emergency” since Sadat.