Early Life
In which Egyptian city was Gamal Abdel Nasser born in 1918?
Alexandria.
At what location did Nasser instinctively join his first student protest?
Manshiya Square in Alexandria.
Why did Nasser choose a military career rather than rhetorical politics?
He believed military force was necessary to liberate Egypt from foreign occupation.
After the 1948 war, what secret movement did Nasser establish?
The Free Officers Movement.
On what date did the Free Officers launch their revolution?
July 23, 1952.
What major personal tragedy deeply affected Nasser in 1926?
The death of his mother.
Which political group organized the demonstration Nasser was arrested in as a teenager?
Masr el-Fatah.
In which country did Nasser serve an early posting where he formed key friendships with future Free Officers?
Sudan.
Name one activity the Free Officers undertook between 1948–1952.
Commando operations in the Canal Zone / training volunteers / distributing reform pamphlets.
What major scandal from the 1948 war helped build public support for revolution?
The “faulty weapons” scandal.
With whom did Nasser live when he moved to Cairo in 1924 to continue school?
His paternal uncle.
hat event sparked the wave of student protests in 1930?
The cancellation of the 1923 constitution by Ismail Sidky’s government.
Which major world conflict did Nasser witness while serving near Alamein?
WW II
Who did the Free Officers nominate in 1952 to challenge King Farouk’s preferred candidate for the Officers Club?
General Mohammed Naguib.
What event on January 26, 1952, led to massive destruction in Cairo and fueled public anger?
Cairo Fire.
At which high school in Alexandria did Nasser’s national identity begin to take shape?
Ras el-Tin High School.
What emotion did Nasser describe after leaving jail from the demonstration—marking a shift in his political identity?
He came out “fuming with anger.”
What did Nasser believe caused Egypt’s defeat in the 1948 Palestine War?
Corruption and inexperience among army leadership.
What did King Farouk do after Naguib won the election?
He cancelled the election results.
What happened to King Farouk as a result of the coup?
He was exiled to Italy.
Nasser later said that his mother’s death made him hesitant to do what?
To cause hurt to others.
What combination of influences shaped Nasser’s early political convictions after this period?
Education, literature, and emerging belief in Pan-Arabism.
Name two future leaders Nasser befriended during his early military career.
Abdel-Hakim Amer, Anwar El-Sadat, or Zakariya Mohie-Eldin (any two).
Why was the election of Naguib seen as a direct challenge to the monarchy?
It defied the King’s authority and showed widespread military support for reform.
Who delivered the official statement of the revolution, and what key message did it emphasize?
Anwar El-Sadat; the army acted to end corruption and restore stability while protecting the people.