In January 1953, Nasser overcame opposition from Naguib and banned all political parties, creating a one-party system under the Liberation Rally, a loosely structured movement whose chief task was to organize pro-RCC rallies and lectures, with Nasser its secretary-general. Despite the dissolution order, Nasser was the only RCC member who still favored holding parliamentary elections, according to his fellow officer Abdel Latif Boghdadi. Although outvoted, he still advocated holding elections by 1956. In March 1953, Nasser led the Egyptian delegation negotiating a British withdrawal from the Suez Canal.

What was Nasser's first title in the Liberation Rally?

secretary-general

What did Nasser and naguib ban in 1953?

all political parties

What was Nasser alone in supporting?

parliamentary elections

What was Nasser negotiating in 1953?

British withdrawal from the Suez Canal


On 25 February 1954, Naguib announced his resignation after the RCC held an official meeting without his presence two days prior. On 26 February, Nasser accepted the resignation, put Naguib under house arrest, and the RCC proclaimed Nasser as both RCC chairman and prime minister. As Naguib intended, a mutiny immediately followed, demanding Naguib's reinstatement and the RCC's dissolution. While visiting the striking officers at Military Headquarters (GHQ) to call for the mutiny's end, Nasser was initially intimidated into accepting their demands. However, on 27 February, Nasser's supporters in the army launched a raid on the GHQ, ending the mutiny. Later that day, hundreds of thousands of protesters, mainly belonging to the Brotherhood, called for Naguib's return and Nasser's imprisonment. In response, a sizable group within the RCC, led by Khaled Mohieddin, demanded Naguib's release and return to the presidency. Nasser was forced to acquiesce, but delayed Naguib's reinstatement until 4 March, allowing him to promote Amer to Commander of the Armed Forces—a position formerly occupied by Naguib.

Who resigned in 1954?

Naguib

What two positions did Nasser assume?

RCC chairman and prime minister

What group protested for Naguib's reinstatement?

Brotherhood

What did the Muslim Brotherhood want to happen to Nasser?

imprisonment

Who did Nasser promote to armed forces commander?

Amer


On 5 March, Nasser's security coterie arrested thousands of participants in the uprising. As a ruse to rally opposition against a return to the pre-1952 order, the RCC decreed an end to restrictions on monarchy-era parties and the Free Officers' withdrawal from politics. The RCC succeeded in provoking the beneficiaries of the revolution, namely the workers, peasants, and petty bourgeois, to oppose the decrees, with one million transport workers launching a strike and thousands of peasants entering Cairo in protest in late March. Naguib sought to crackdown on the protesters, but his requests were rebuffed by the heads of the security forces. On 29 March, Nasser announced the decrees' revocation in response to the "impulse of the street." Between April and June, hundreds of Naguib's supporters in the military were either arrested or dismissed, and Mohieddin was informally exiled to Switzerland to represent the RCC abroad. King Saud of Saudi Arabia attempted to mend relations between Nasser and Naguib, but to no avail.

What group went on strike as a result of the turmoil?

transport workers

What group claimed to be leaving the political scene?

Free Officers

Who was sent to Switzerland?

Mohieddin

What nation tried to mediate between Nasser and Naguib?

Saudi Arabia


The crowd roared in approval and Arab audiences were electrified. The assassination attempt backfired, quickly playing into Nasser's hands. Upon returning to Cairo, he ordered one of the largest political crackdowns in the modern history of Egypt, with the arrests of thousands of dissenters, mostly members of the Brotherhood, but also communists, and the dismissal of 140 officers loyal to Naguib. Eight Brotherhood leaders were sentenced to death, although the sentence of its chief ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, was commuted to a 15-year imprisonment. Naguib was removed from the presidency and put under house arrest, but was never tried or sentenced, and no one in the army rose to defend him. With his rivals neutralized, Nasser became the undisputed leader of Egypt.

What event did Nasser exploit to his advantage?

assassination attempt

To what group did many of the arrested dissenters belong?

Brotherhood

Who avoided a death sentence in favor of 15 years in jail?

Sayyid Qutb

Where did Naguib end up after the turmoil?

house arrest

Who assumed total control of Egypt?

Nasser


Nasser's street following was still too small to sustain his plans for reform and to secure him in office. To promote himself and the Liberation Rally, he gave speeches in a cross-country tour, and imposed controls over the country's press by decreeing that all publications had to be approved by the party to prevent "sedition". Both Umm Kulthum and Abdel Halim Hafez, the leading Arab singers of the era, performed songs praising Nasser's nationalism. Others produced plays denigrating his political opponents. According to his associates, Nasser orchestrated the campaign himself. Arab nationalist terms such "Arab homeland" and "Arab nation" frequently began appearing in his speeches in 1954–55, whereas prior he would refer to the Arab "peoples" or the "Arab region". In January 1955, the RCC appointed him as their president, pending national elections.

What was too small to keep Nasser in power?

street following

What institution did Nasser closely control to prevent sedition?

press

Who were Umm Kulthum and Abdel Hafez?

singers

What phrases did Nasser use in many of his speeches?

"Arab homeland" and "Arab nation"

In what year did the RCC appoint Nasser as president?


Nasser made secret contacts with Israel in 1954–55, but determined that peace with Israel would be impossible, considering it an "expansionist state that viewed the Arabs with disdain". On 28 February 1955, Israeli troops attacked the Egyptian-held Gaza Strip with the stated aim of suppressing Palestinian fedayeen raids. Nasser did not feel that the Egyptian Army was ready for a confrontation and did not retaliate militarily. His failure to respond to Israeli military action demonstrated the ineffectiveness of his armed forces and constituted a blow to his growing popularity. Nasser subsequently ordered the tightening of the blockade on Israeli shipping through the Straits of Tiran and restricted the use of airspace over the Gulf of Aqaba by Israeli aircraft in early September. The Israelis re-militarized the al-Auja Demilitarized Zone on the Egyptian border on 21 September.

What country did Nasser make secret agreements with?

Israel

What territory did Israel attack in 1955?

Gaza Strip

What was Nasser's reaction to the attack?

did not retaliate militarily

How did the Egyptian people feel about Nasser's response to the attack?

a blow to his growing popularity

What did Nasser eventually do in the Straights of Titan?

blockade on Israeli shipping


Simultaneous with Israel's February raid, the Baghdad Pact was formed between some regional allies of the UK. Nasser considered the Baghdad Pact a threat to his efforts to eliminate British military influence in the Middle East, and a mechanism to undermine the Arab League and "perpetuate [Arab] subservience to Zionism and [Western] imperialism". Nasser felt that if he was to maintain Egypt's regional leadership position he needed to acquire modern weaponry to arm his military. When it became apparent to him that Western countries would not supply Egypt under acceptable financial and military terms, Nasser turned to the Eastern Bloc and concluded a US$320,000,000 armaments agreement with Czechoslovakia on 27 September. Through the Czechoslovakian arms deal, the balance of power between Egypt and Israel was more or less equalized and Nasser's role as the Arab leader defying the West was enhanced.

What agreement ran contrary to Nasser's efforts?

Baghdad Pact

What did Nasser feel his military needed to oppose the West?

modern weaponry

From what country did Nasser buy arms?

Czechoslovakia

How much money did Nasser spend on weapons?

How did the military relationship between Egypt and Israel change?

equalized


Nasser mediated discussions between the pro-Western, pro-Soviet, and neutralist conference factions over the composition of the "Final Communique" addressing colonialism in Africa and Asia and the fostering of global peace amid the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union. At Bandung Nasser sought a proclamation for the avoidance of international defense alliances, support for the independence of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco from French rule, support for the Palestinian right of return, and the implementation of UN resolutions regarding the Arab–Israeli conflict. He succeeded in lobbying the attendees to pass resolutions on each of these issues, notably securing the strong support of China and India.

What document was meant to resolve lingering issues of colonialism?

Final Communique

From what nation did Nasser support the independence of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco?

French

What did Nasser pursue for Palestinians?

right of return

What organization offered possible solutions Arab-Israeli conflict, which Nasser supported?

UN


Following Bandung, Nasser officially adopted the "positive neutralism" of Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as a principal theme of Egyptian foreign policy regarding the Cold War. Nasser was welcomed by large crowds of people lining the streets of Cairo on his return to Egypt on 2 May and was widely heralded in the press for his achievements and leadership in the conference. Consequently, Nasser's prestige was greatly boosted as was his self-confidence and image.

What political philosophy did Nasser adopt?

positive neutralism

What global period was Positive Neutralism meant to deal with?

Cold War

How did the Egyptian people react to Nasser after the conference?

welcomed by large crowds

How did the Egyptian press react to Nasser's accomplishments?

heralded


In January 1956, the new Constitution of Egypt was drafted, entailing the establishment of a single-party system under the National Union (NU), a movement Nasser described as the "cadre through which we will realize our revolution". The NU was a reconfiguration of the Liberation Rally, which Nasser determined had failed in generating mass public participation. In the new movement, Nasser attempted to incorporate more citizens, approved by local-level party committees, in order to solidify popular backing for his government. The NU would select a nominee for the presidential election whose name would be provided for public approval.

In what year did Egypt get a new constitution?

What was the political party arrangement of the new constitution?

single-party system

What was the dominant political party?

National Union

From what group did the National Union originate?

Liberation Rally

Who did Nasser want more involved in his new political order?

citizens


Nasser's nomination for the post and the new constitution were put to public referendum on 23 June and each was approved by an overwhelming majority. A 350-member National Assembly was established, elections for which were held in July 1957. Nasser had ultimate approval over all the candidates. The constitution granted women's suffrage, prohibited gender-based discrimination, and entailed special protection for women in the workplace. Coinciding with the new constitution and Nasser's presidency, the RCC dissolved itself and its members resigned their military commissions as part of the transition to civilian rule. During the deliberations surrounding the establishment of a new government, Nasser began a process of sidelining his rivals among the original Free Officers, while elevating his closest allies to high-ranking positions in the cabinet.

Who could approve or reject candidates for the National Assembly?

Nasser

Who received new and special protections in the new constitution?

women

What group dissolved when the new constitution was enacted?

RCC

Among the original Free Officers, what did Nasser do to his opponents?

sidelining

What did Nasser's allies receive in the new arrangement?

high-ranking positions in the cabinet


After the three-year transition period ended with Nasser's official assumption of power, his domestic and independent foreign policies increasingly collided with the regional interests of the UK and France. The latter condemned his strong support for Algerian independence, and the UK's Eden government was agitated by Nasser's campaign against the Baghdad Pact. In addition, Nasser's adherence to neutralism regarding the Cold War, recognition of communist China, and arms deal with the Eastern bloc alienated the United States. On 19 July 1956, the US and UK abruptly withdrew their offer to finance construction of the Aswan Dam, citing concerns that Egypt's economy would be overwhelmed by the project.

With what two nations did Nasser's foreign policy clash?

UK and France

What construction project suffered from foreign political retaliation against Nasser?

Aswan Dam

What communist country did Nasser and Egypt recognize?

China

France was angered by Nasser's support of the independence of what people?

Algerian

The UK was chafed by Nasser's opposition to what agreement?

Baghdad Pact


Nasser was informed of the British–American withdrawal via a news statement while aboard a plane returning to Cairo from Belgrade, and took great offense. Although ideas for nationalizing the Suez Canal were in the offing after the UK agreed to withdraw its military from Egypt in 1954 (the last British troops left on 13 June 1956), journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal asserts that Nasser made the final decision to nationalize the waterway between 19 and 20 July. Nasser himself would later state that he decided on 23 July, after studying the issue and deliberating with some of his advisers from the dissolved RCC, namely Boghdadi and technical specialist Mahmoud Younis, beginning on 21 July. The rest of the RCC's former members were informed of the decision on 24 July, while the bulk of the cabinet was unaware of the nationalization scheme until hours before Nasser publicly announced it. According to Ramadan, Nasser's decision to nationalize the canal was a solitary decision, taken without consultation.

How did Nasser react to the news the the US and UK had blocked construction of th Aswan Dam?

took great offense

What piece of infrastructure did Nasser propose to nationalize?

Suez Canal

What was Nasser's cabinet's knowledge of the nationalization scheme before Nasser announced it?

unaware

When did the last British troops leave Egypt?


On 26 July 1956, Nasser gave a speech in Alexandria announcing the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company as a means to fund the Aswan Dam project in light of the British–American withdrawal. In the speech, he denounced British imperialism in Egypt and British control over the canal company's profits, and upheld that the Egyptian people had a right to sovereignty over the waterway, especially since "120,000 Egyptians had died (sic)" building it. The motion was technically in breach of the international agreement he had signed with the UK on 19 October 1954, although he ensured that all existing stockholders would be paid off.

What did Nasser propose to do with funds from the nationalized Suez Canal?

fund the Aswan Dam

How many Egyptians did Nasser claim died building the Suez canal?

Who did Nasser claim would still be paid despite nationalization of the canal?

existing stockholders

What country had signed an agreement with Nasser in 1954?

UK


The nationalization announcement was greeted very emotionally by the audience and, throughout the Arab world, thousands entered the streets shouting slogans of support. US ambassador Henry A. Byroade stated, "I cannot overemphasize [the] popularity of the Canal Company nationalization within Egypt, even among Nasser's enemies." Egyptian political scientist Mahmoud Hamad wrote that, prior to 1956, Nasser had consolidated control over Egypt's military and civilian bureaucracies, but it was only after the canal's nationalization that he gained near-total popular legitimacy and firmly established himself as the "charismatic leader" and "spokesman for the masses not only in Egypt, but all over the Third World". According to Aburish, this was Nasser's largest pan-Arab triumph at the time and "soon his pictures were to be found in the tents of Yemen, the souks of Marrakesh, and the posh villas of Syria". The official reason given for the nationalization was that funds from the canal would be used for the construction of the dam in Aswan. That same day, Egypt closed the canal to Israeli shipping.

How did the Arab world react to news of the nationalization of the Suez Canal?

support

What nation's shipping was forbidden from using the Suez Canal?

Israeli

What US ambassador spoke about the widespread support for Nasser's nationalization of the canal?

Henry A. Byroade

Where was Nasser believed to be a spokesman for the poor and oppressed?

not only in Egypt, but all over the Third World


France and the UK, the largest shareholders in the Suez Canal Company, saw its nationalization as yet another hostile measure aimed at them by the Egyptian government. Nasser was aware that the canal's nationalization would instigate an international crisis and believed the prospect of military intervention by the two countries was 80 per cent likely. He believed, however, that the UK would not be able to intervene militarily for at least two months after the announcement, and dismissed Israeli action as "impossible". In early October, the UN Security Council met on the matter of the canal's nationalization and adopted a resolution recognizing Egypt's right to control the canal as long as it continued to allow passage through it for foreign ships. According to Heikal, after this agreement, "Nasser estimated that the danger of invasion had dropped to 10 per cent". Shortly thereafter, however, the UK, France, and Israel made a secret agreement to take over the Suez Canal, occupy the Suez Canal zone, and topple Nasser.

What nations were outraged by the nationalization scheme?

France and the UK

What nation did Nasser judge impossible to become militarially involved?

Israel

What entity drew up an agreement that drastically reduced the threat of military action against Egypt?

UN Security Council

What did the UK, France and Israel intend to do to Nasser?

topple


On 29 October 1956, Israeli forces crossed the Sinai Peninsula, overwhelmed Egyptian army posts, and quickly advanced to their objectives. Two days later, British and French planes bombarded Egyptian airfields in the canal zone. Nasser ordered the military's high command to withdraw the Egyptian Army from Sinai to bolster the canal's defenses. Moreover, he feared that if the armored corps was dispatched to confront the Israeli invading force and the British and French subsequently landed in the canal city of Port Said, Egyptian armor in the Sinai would be cut off from the canal and destroyed by the combined tripartite forces. Amer strongly disagreed, insisting that Egyptian tanks meet the Israelis in battle. The two had a heated exchange on 3 November, and Amer conceded. Nasser also ordered blockage of the canal by sinking or otherwise disabling forty-nine ships at its entrance.

In what year did battle over the Suez Canal commence?

What did the British and French air forces bomb?

Egyptian airfields in the canal zone

What city did Nasser want to keep the French and British out of?

Port Said

Who wanted the Egyptian armored units to fight the Israelis?

Amer

What did Nasser do to the canal?

blockage


Despite the commanded withdrawal of Egyptian troops, about 2,000 Egyptian soldiers were killed during engagement with Israeli forces, and some 5,000 Egyptian soldiers were captured by the Israeli Army. Amer and Salah Salem proposed requesting a ceasefire, with Salem further recommending that Nasser surrender himself to British forces. Nasser berated Amer and Salem, and vowed, "Nobody is going to surrender." Nasser assumed military command. Despite the relative ease in which Sinai was occupied, Nasser's prestige at home and among Arabs was undamaged. To counterbalance the Egyptian Army's dismal performance, Nasser authorized the distribution of about 400,000 rifles to civilian volunteers and hundreds of militias were formed throughout Egypt, many led by Nasser's political opponents.

How many Egyptian soldiers died during the fighting?

How many Egyptian soldiers did the Israeli army capture?

To whom did Nasser authorize distribution of small arms?

civilian volunteers

Who recommended Nasser surrender himself to the British?

Salah Salem

What was the consequence to Nassir's admiration among the Arab world for Egypt's military failure?

undamaged


It was at Port Said that Nasser saw a confrontation with the invading forces as being the strategic and psychological focal point of Egypt's defense. A third infantry battalion and hundreds of national guardsmen were sent to the city as reinforcements, while two regular companies were dispatched to organize popular resistance. Nasser and Boghdadi traveled to the canal zone to boost the morale of the armed volunteers. According to Boghdadi's memoirs, Nasser described the Egyptian Army as "shattered" as he saw the wreckage of Egyptian military equipment en route. When British and French forces landed in Port Said on 5–6 November, its local militia put up a stiff resistance, resulting in street-to-street fighting. The Egyptian Army commander in the city was preparing to request terms for a ceasefire, but Nasser ordered him to desist. The British-French forces managed to largely secure the city by 7 November. Between 750 and 1,000 Egyptians were killed in the battle for Port Said.

How many Egyptians died in the battle for Port Said?

Between 750 and 1,000

What did Nasser think was the most importatnt location in the battle for the canal?

Port Said

In what state was the Egyptian army after fighting the French and UK?

shattered

Who was ultimately able to claim victoy in Port Said?

British-French forces


The U.S. Eisenhower administration condemned the tripartite invasion, and supported UN resolutions demanding withdrawal and a United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to be stationed in Sinai. Nasser commended Eisenhower, stating he played the "greatest and most decisive role" in stopping the "tripartite conspiracy". By the end of December, British and French forces had totally withdrawn from Egyptian territory, while Israel completed its withdrawal in March 1957 and released all Egyptian prisoners of war. As a result of the Suez Crisis, Nasser brought in a set of regulations imposing rigorous requirements for residency and citizenship as well as forced expulsions, mostly affecting British and French nationals and Jews with foreign nationality, as well as some Egyptian Jews.

What country was opposed to the invasion of the canal?

U.S.

What leader did Nasser applaud?

Eisenhower

What military force was brought in to calm the situation?

United Nations Emergency Force

What did Nasser impose as a result of the conflict?

rigorous requirements for residency


By 1957, pan-Arabism was the dominant ideology of the Arab world, and the average Arab citizen considered Nasser his undisputed leader. Historian Adeed Dawisha credited Nasser's status to his "charisma, bolstered by his perceived victory in the Suez Crisis". The Cairo-based Voice of the Arabs radio station spread Nasser's ideas of united Arab action throughout the Arabic-speaking world and historian Eugene Rogan wrote, "Nasser conquered the Arab world by radio." Lebanese sympathizers of Nasser and the Egyptian embassy in Beirut—the press center of the Arab world—bought out Lebanese media outlets to further disseminate Nasser's ideals. Nasser also enjoyed the support of Arab nationalist organizations, both civilian and paramilitary, throughout the region. His followers were numerous and well-funded, but lacked any permanent structure and organization. They called themselves "Nasserites", despite Nasser's objection to the label (he preferred the term "Arab nationalists").

What radio station furthered Nasser's agenda?

Voice of the Arabs

What were Arab admirers of Nasser called?

Nasserites

What did the admirers of Nasser lack?

structure and organization

Who said that Nasser conquered the Arab workd with radio?

Eugene Rogan

What would have Nasser prefferred his admirers call themselves?

Arab nationalists


In January 1957, the US adopted the Eisenhower Doctrine and pledged to prevent the spread of communism and its perceived agents in the Middle East. Although Nasser was an opponent of communism in the region, his promotion of pan-Arabism was viewed as a threat by pro-Western states in the region. Eisenhower tried to isolate Nasser and reduce his regional influence by attempting to transform King Saud into a counterweight. Also in January, the elected Jordanian prime minister and Nasser supporter Sulayman al-Nabulsi brought Jordan into a military pact with Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

What was the policy meant to contain communism in the middle east?

Eisenhower Doctrine

When was the Eisenhower Doctrine adopted?

What leader did the US prop up to foil Nasser?

King Saud

What country joined an alliance with Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia?

Jordan

Although not communist, what about Nasser concerned pro-western groups?

pan-Arabism


Relations between Nasser and King Hussein deteriorated in April when Hussein implicated Nasser in two coup attempts against him—although Nasser's involvement was never established—and dissolved al-Nabulsi's cabinet. Nasser subsequently slammed Hussein on Cairo radio as being "a tool of the imperialists". Relations with King Saud also became antagonistic as the latter began to fear that Nasser's increasing popularity in Saudi Arabia was a genuine threat to the royal family's survival. Despite opposition from the governments of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Lebanon, Nasser maintained his prestige among their citizens and those of other Arab countries.

What leader accused Nasser of trying to overthrow him?

King Hussein

What did Nasser call King Hussein?

a tool of the imperialists

What non-Egyptian leader was concerned about Nasser's popularity outside of Egypt?

King Saud

Despite conflicts with Arab governments, who continued to support Nasser?

citizens


By the end of 1957, Nasser nationalized all remaining British and French assets in Egypt, including the tobacco, cement, pharmaceutical, and phosphate industries. When efforts to offer tax incentives and attract outside investments yielded no tangible results, he nationalized more companies and made them a part of his economic development organization. He stopped short of total government control: two-thirds of the economy was still in private hands. This effort achieved a measure of success, with increased agricultural production and investment in industrialization. Nasser initiated the Helwan steelworks, which subsequently became Egypt's largest enterprise, providing the country with product and tens of thousands of jobs. Nasser also decided to cooperate with the Soviet Union in the construction of the Aswan Dam to replace the withdrawal of US funds.

What nations' assets did Nasser nationalize in 1957?

British and French

How much of the economy was not controlled by Nassir's government?

two-thirds

What entity did Nasser spearhead that was a boon for Egypt's economy?

Helwan steelworks

What nation did Nasser join economic forces with?

Soviet Union

What project did Nasser cooperate with the Soviet Union on?

Aswan Dam


As political instability grew in Syria, delegations from the country were sent to Nasser demanding immediate unification with Egypt. Nasser initially turned down the request, citing the two countries' incompatible political and economic systems, lack of contiguity, the Syrian military's record of intervention in politics, and the deep factionalism among Syria's political forces. However, in January 1958, a second Syrian delegation managed to convince Nasser of an impending communist takeover and a consequent slide to civil strife. Nasser subsequently opted for union, albeit on the condition that it would be a total political merger with him as its president, to which the delegates and Syrian president Shukri al-Quwatli agreed. On 1 February, the United Arab Republic (UAR) was proclaimed and, according to Dawisha, the Arab world reacted in "stunned amazement, which quickly turned into uncontrolled euphoria." Nasser ordered a crackdown against Syrian communists, dismissing many of them from their governmental posts.

What country wanted to join with Egypt?

Syria

What Syrian group did Nasser crack down on?

communists

What was the Egyptian-Syrian alliance called?

United Arab Republic

What year was the UAR formed?


While Nasser was in Syria, King Saud planned to have him assassinated on his return flight to Cairo. On 4 March, Nasser addressed the masses in Damascus and waved before them the Saudi check given to Syrian security chief and Nasser supporter Abdel Hamid Sarraj to shoot down Nasser's plane. As a consequence of Saud's scheme, he was forced by senior members of the Saudi royal family to informally cede most of his powers to his brother, King Faisal, a major opponent of Nasser and advocate for pan-Islamic unity over pan-Arabism.

Who tried to assassinate Nasser?

King Saud

How was the assassination supposed to have been carried out?

shoot down Nasser's plane

Who assumed power in Saudi Arabia after the failed assassination attempt?

King Faisal

What was King Faisal's position toward Nasser?

opponent


A day after announcing the attempt on his life, Nasser established a new provisional constitution proclaiming a 600-member National Assembly (400 from Egypt and 200 from Syria) and the dissolution of all political parties. Nasser gave each of the provinces two vice-presidents: Boghdadi and Amer in Egypt, and Sabri al-Asali and Akram al-Hawrani in Syria. Nasser then left for Moscow to meet with Nikita Khrushchev. At the meeting, Khrushchev pressed Nasser to lift the ban on the Communist Party, but Nasser refused, stating it was an internal matter which was not a subject of discussion with outside powers. Khrushchev was reportedly taken aback and denied he had meant to interfere in the UAR's affairs. The matter was settled as both leaders sought to prevent a rift between their two countries.

How many members were in the National Assembly?

How many members of the National Assembly were from Egypt?

What Soviet leader did Nasser spar with?

Khrushchev

What did Khrushchev want Nasser to remove the ban on?

Communist Party

Who were the two National Assembly vice-presidents in Egypt?

Boghdadi and Amer


In Lebanon, clashes between pro-Nasser factions and supporters of staunch Nasser opponent, then-President Camille Chamoun, culminated in civil strife by May. The former sought to unite with the UAR, while the latter sought Lebanon's continued independence. Nasser delegated oversight of the issue to Sarraj, who provided limited aid to Nasser's Lebanese supporters through money, light arms, and officer training—short of the large-scale support that Chamoun alleged. Nasser did not covet Lebanon, seeing it as a "special case", but sought to prevent Chamoun from a second presidential term.

Who was Nasser's opponent in Lebanon?

Camille Chamoun

What did Lebanese pro-Nasser groups want?

to unite with the UAR

What did Nasser want to deny Chamoun?

a second presidential term

Who was in charge of dealing with the Lebanon situation?

Sarraj

What degree of support did pro-Nasser factions in Lebanon receive?

limited


On 14 July, Iraqi army officers Abdel Karim Qasim and Abdel Salam Aref overthrew the Iraqi monarchy and, the next day, Iraqi prime minister and Nasser's chief Arab antagonist, Nuri al-Said, was killed. Nasser recognized the new government and stated that "any attack on Iraq was tantamount to an attack on the UAR". On 15 July, US marines landed in Lebanon, and British special forces in Jordan, upon the request of those countries' governments to prevent them from falling to pro-Nasser forces. Nasser felt that the revolution in Iraq left the road for pan-Arab unity unblocked. On 19 July, for the first time, he declared that he was opting for full Arab union, although he had no plan to merge Iraq with the UAR. While most members of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) favored Iraqi-UAR unity, Qasim sought to keep Iraq independent and resented Nasser's large popular base in the country.

What two men overthrew the Iraqi monarchy?

Abdel Karim Qasim and Abdel Salam Aref

What anti-Nasser Iraqi was assassinated?

Nuri al-Said

Where did US Marines land?

Lebanon

Why did Jordan and Lebanon seek outside aid?

to prevent them from falling to pro-Nasser forces

How did Nasser see the prospects for Arab unity?

unblocked


In the fall of 1958, Nasser formed a tripartite committee consisting of Zakaria Mohieddin, al-Hawrani, and Salah Bitar to oversee developments in Syria. By moving the latter two, who were Ba'athists, to Cairo, he neutralized important political figures who had their own ideas about how Syria should be run. He put Syria under Sarraj, who effectively reduced the province to a police state by imprisoning and exiling landholders who objected to the introduction of Egyptian agricultural reform in Syria, as well as communists. Following the Lebanese election of Fuad Chehab in September 1958, relations between Lebanon and the UAR improved considerably. On 25 March 1959, Chehab and Nasser met at the Lebanese–Syrian border and compromised on an end to the Lebanese crisis.

Who did Nasser appoint to run Syria?

Sarraj

What was Syria like under Sarraj?

police state

Who did Lebanon elect in 1958?

Fuad Chehab

How did relations between Lebanon and the UAR change with Chehab's election?

improved considerably

In what year did Nasser and Chehab agree to end the Lebanon crisis?


Relations between Nasser and Qasim grew increasingly bitter on 9 March, after Qasim's forces suppressed a rebellion in Mosul, launched a day earlier by a pro-Nasser Iraqi RCC officer backed by UAR authorities. Nasser had considered dispatching troops to aid his Iraqi sympathizers, but decided against it. He clamped down on Egyptian communist activity due to the key backing Iraqi communists provided Qasim. Several influential communists were arrested, including Nasser's old comrade Khaled Mohieddin, who had been allowed to re-enter Egypt in 1956.

What Iraqi leader clashed with Nasser?

Qasim

What did Quasm do to anger Nasser?

suppressed a rebellion in Mosul

What did Nasser suppress as a result?

Egyptian communist activity

What old ally did Nasser turn against?

Khaled Mohieddin


Opposition to the union mounted among some of Syria's key elements, namely the socioeconomic, political, and military elites. In response to Syria's worsening economy, which Nasser attributed to its control by the bourgeoisie, in July 1961, Nasser decreed socialist measures that nationalized wide-ranging sectors of the Syrian economy. He also dismissed Sarraj in September to curb the growing political crisis. Aburish states that Nasser was not fully capable of addressing Syrian problems because they were "foreign to him". In Egypt, the economic situation was more positive, with a GNP growth of 4.5 percent and a rapid growth of industry. In 1960, Nasser nationalized the Egyptian press, which had already been cooperating with his government, in order to steer coverage towards the country's socioeconomic issues and galvanize public support for his socialist measures.

What Syrian social group opposed the UAR?

elites

How was Syria's economy fairing under the arrangement?

worsening

How did Nasser respond to economic problems in Syria?

nationalized wide-ranging sectors of the Syrian economy

What did Nasser do to Sarraj to try and help the political situation?

dismissed

What industry did Nassir nationalize in 1960?

press


On 28 September 1961, secessionist army units launched a coup in Damascus, declaring Syria's secession from the UAR. In response, pro-union army units in northern Syria revolted and pro-Nasser protests occurred in major Syrian cities. Nasser sent Egyptian special forces to Latakia to bolster his allies, but withdrew them two days later, citing a refusal to allow inter-Arab fighting. Addressing the UAR's breakup on 5 October, Nasser accepted personal responsibility and declared that Egypt would recognize an elected Syrian government. He privately blamed interference by hostile Arab governments. According to Heikal, Nasser suffered something resembling a nervous breakdown after the dissolution of the union; he began to smoke more heavily and his health began to deteriorate.

What Syrian anti-Nasser group lauched a coup?

secessionist army units

In what year did Syria leave the UAR?

Where did Nasser send Egyptian special forces?

Latakia

What happened to Nasser after the breakup of the UAR?

nervous breakdown

How was Nasser's health after the breakup of the UAR?

his health began to deteriorate


Nasser's regional position changed unexpectedly when Yemeni officers led by Nasser supporter Abdullah al-Sallal overthrew Imam Badr of North Yemen on 27 September 1962. Al-Badr and his tribal partisans began receiving increasing support from Saudi Arabia to help reinstate the kingdom, while Nasser subsequently accepted a request by Sallal to militarily aid the new government on 30 September. Consequently, Egypt became increasingly embroiled in the drawn-out civil war until it withdrew its forces in 1967. Most of Nasser's old colleagues had questioned the wisdom of continuing the war, but Amer reassured Nasser of their coming victory. Nasser later remarked in 1968 that intervention in Yemen was a "miscalculation".

What country experienced a coup in 1962?

North Yemen

What country agreed to help suppress the Yemeni rebellion?

Saudi Arabia

Which side of the civil war did Nasser side with?

the new government

In what year did Egypt leave Yemen's civil war?

How did Nasser characterize Egypt's involvement in Yemen's civil war?

miscalculation


On 8 February 1963, a military coup in Iraq led by a Ba'athist–Nasserist alliance toppled Qasim, who was subsequently shot dead. Abdel Salam Aref, a Nasserist, was chosen to be the new president. A similar alliance toppled the Syrian government on 8 March. On 14 March, the new Iraqi and Syrian governments sent Nasser delegations to push for a new Arab union. At the meeting, Nasser lambasted the Ba'athists for "facilitating" Syria's split from the UAR, and asserted that he was the "leader of the Arabs". A transitional unity agreement stipulating a federal system was signed by the parties on 17 April and the new union was set to be established in May 1965. However, the agreement fell apart weeks later when Syria's Ba'athists purged Nasser's supporters from the officers corps. A failed counter-coup by a Nasserist colonel followed, after which Nasser condemned the Ba'athists as "fascists".

What groups completed a coup in Iraq?

Ba'athist–Nasserist alliance

Who became the new Iraqi president after the coup?

Abdel Salam Aref

What caused the agreement to fail?

Syria's Ba'athists purged Nasser's supporters

How did Nasser describe the Ba'athists?

fascists


In January 1964, Nasser called for an Arab League summit in Cairo to establish a unified Arab response against Israel's plans to divert the Jordan River's waters for economic purposes, which Syria and Jordan deemed an act of war. Nasser blamed Arab divisions for what he deemed "the disastrous situation". He discouraged Syria and Palestinian guerrillas from provoking the Israelis, conceding that he had no plans for war with Israel. During the summit, Nasser developed cordial relations with King Hussein, and ties were mended with the rulers of Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Morocco. In May, Nasser moved to formally share his leadership position over the Palestine issue by initiating the creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In practice, Nasser used the PLO to wield control over the Palestinian fedayeen. Its head was to be Ahmad Shukeiri, Nasser's personal nominee.

What river did the Israelis want to divert?

Jordan River

How did Syria and Jordan see Israel's plans?

act of war

What leader did Nasser bond with durin gthe negotiations?

King Hussein

What organization was formed as a result of the talks?

Palestine Liberation Organization

Who was set to lead the PLO?

Ahmad Shukeiri


After years of foreign policy coordination and developing ties, Nasser, President Sukarno of Indonesia, President Tito of Yugoslavia, and Prime Minister Nehru of India founded the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in 1961. Its declared purpose was to solidify international non-alignment and promote world peace amid the Cold War, end colonization, and increase economic cooperation among developing countries. In 1964, Nasser was made president of the NAM and held the second conference of the organization in Cairo.

In what year was the Non-Aligned Movment formed?

Who was named leader of the NAM in 1964?

Nasser

What global conflict was the NAM made to counter?

Cold War


Nasser played a significant part in the strengthening of African solidarity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, although his continental leadership role had increasingly passed to Algeria since 1962. During this period, Nasser made Egypt a refuge for anti-colonial leaders from several African countries and allowed the broadcast of anti-colonial propaganda from Cairo. Beginning in 1958, Nasser had a key role in the discussions among African leaders that led to the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

What continent did Nasser help to attain political stability?

African

Who did Nasser give asylum to?

anti-colonial leaders from several African countries

What type of programming was broadcast from Cairo?

anti-colonial propaganda

What African group did Nasser help to form?

Organisation of African Unity

What year was the OAU formed?


In 1961, Nasser sought to firmly establish Egypt as the leader of the Arab world and to promote a second revolution in Egypt with the purpose of merging Islamic and socialist thinking. To achieve this, he initiated several reforms to modernize al-Azhar, which serves as the de facto leading authority in Sunni Islam, and to ensure its prominence over the Muslim Brotherhood and the more conservative Wahhabism promoted by Saudi Arabia. Nasser had used al-Azhar's most willing ulema (scholars) as a counterweight to the Brotherhood's Islamic influence, starting in 1953.

What country did Nasser want to be the leader of the Arab world?

Egypt

What two disparate ideologies was Nasser trying to unite?

Islamic and socialist

What religious group did Nasser endeavor to reform?

al-Azhar

What religious group was Nasser seeking to marginalize?

Muslim Brotherhood


Following Syria's secession, Nasser grew concerned with Amer's inability to train and modernize the army, and with the state within a state Amer had created in the military command and intelligence apparatus. In late 1961, Nasser established the Presidential Council and decreed it the authority to approve all senior military appointments, instead of leaving this responsibility solely to Amer. Moreover, he instructed that the primary criterion for promotion should be merit and not personal loyalties. Nasser retracted the initiative after Amer's allies in the officers corps threatened to mobilize against him.

What military entity did Nasser create in 1961?

Presidential Council

As opposed to personal loyalty, what basis should military promotions be given, according to Nasser?

merit

Why did Nasser abandon the Presidential Council?

Amer's allies in the officers corps threatened to mobilize against him

What leader was sidelined by the Presidential Council?

Amer

What was the Presidential Council meant to do?

approve all senior military appointments


In early 1962 Nasser again attempted to wrest control of the military command from Amer. Amer responded by directly confronting Nasser for the first time and secretly rallying his loyalist officers. Nasser ultimately backed down, wary of a possible violent confrontation between the military and his civilian government. According to Boghdadi, the stress caused by the UAR's collapse and Amer's increasing autonomy forced Nasser, who already had diabetes, to practically live on painkillers from then on.

From whom did Nasser want to seize control of Egypt's military?

Amer

Who blinked in the confrontation between Nasser and Amer?

Nasser

How did Amer respond to Nasser's attempts to marginalize him?

directly confronting Nasser

How did Nasser deal with the stress of the UAR's collapse and Amer's intransigence?

painkillers

From what chronic illness was Nasser suffering?

diabetes


In October 1961, Nasser embarked on a major nationalization program for Egypt, believing the total adoption of socialism was the answer to his country's problems and would have prevented Syria's secession. In order to organize and solidify his popular base with Egypt's citizens and counter the army's influence, Nasser introduced the National Charter in 1962 and a new constitution. The charter called for universal health care, affordable housing, vocational schools, greater women's rights and a family planning program, as well as widening the Suez Canal.

What political ideology did Nasser wholeheartedly back in 1961?

socialism

What was the document Nasser backed to push his socialist reforms?

National Charter

What infrastructure project was part of the National Charter?

widening the Suez Canal

What year was the National Charter released?

What type of health care program was put forth in the National Charter?

universal


Nasser also attempted to maintain oversight of the country's civil service to prevent it from inflating and consequently becoming a burden to the state. New laws provided workers with a minimum wage, profit shares, free education, free health care, reduced working hours, and encouragement to participate in management. Land reforms guaranteed the security of tenant farmers, promoted agricultural growth, and reduced rural poverty. As a result of the 1962 measures, government ownership of Egyptian business reached 51 percent, and the National Union was renamed the Arab Socialist Union (ASU). With these measures came more domestic repression, as thousands of Islamists were imprisoned, including dozens of military officers. Nasser's tilt toward a Soviet-style system led his aides Boghdadi and Hussein el-Shafei to submit their resignations in protest.

What percentage of business did the Egyptian government own in 1962?

What was the new name for the National Union?

Arab Socialist Union

What was the expression of Nasser's reforms on the street?

repression

What group was targeted with imprisonment?

Islamists

How did two of Nasser's top aids respond to the new measures?

submit their resignations in protest


During the presidential referendum in Egypt, Nasser was re-elected to a second term as UAR president and took his oath on 25 March 1965. He was the only candidate for the position, with virtually all of his political opponents forbidden by law from running for office, and his fellow party members reduced to mere followers. That same year, Nasser had the Muslim Brotherhood chief ideologue Sayyed Qutb imprisoned. Qutb was charged and found guilty by the court of plotting to assassinate Nasser, and was executed in 1966. Beginning in 1966, as Egypt's economy slowed and government debt became increasingly burdensome, Nasser began to ease state control over the private sector, encouraging state-owned bank loans to private business and introducing incentives to increase exports. During the 60's, the Egyptian economy went from sluggishness to the verge of collapse, the society became less free, and Nasser's appeal waned considerably.

What was Nasser's political opposition like in the 1965 election?

He was the only candidate

The leader of what organization was imprisoned by Nasser?

Muslim Brotherhood

What was Qutb's sentence?

executed

What economic element did Nasser try to encourage with bank loans?

private sector

How did Egypt's economy do during the 1960s?

from sluggishness to the verge of collapse


In mid May 1967, the Soviet Union issued warnings to Nasser of an impending Israeli attack on Syria, although Chief of Staff Mohamed Fawzi considered the warnings to be "baseless". According to Kandil, without Nasser's authorization, Amer used the Soviet warnings as a pretext to dispatch troops to Sinai on 14 May, and Nasser subsequently demanded UNEF's withdrawal. Earlier that day, Nasser received a warning from King Hussein of Israeli-American collusion to drag Egypt into war. The message had been originally received by Amer on 2 May, but was withheld from Nasser until the Sinai deployment on 14 May. Although in the preceding months, Hussein and Nasser had been accusing each other of avoiding a fight with Israel, Hussein was nonetheless wary that an Egyptian-Israeli war would risk the West Bank's occupation by Israel. Nasser still felt that the US would restrain Israel from attacking due to assurances that he received from the US and Soviet Union. In turn, he also reassured both powers that Egypt would only act defensively.

What country warned Nasser that Israel wanted to attack Syria?

Soviet Union

What did Amer do without Nasser's approval?

dispatch troops to Sinai

What nations were trying to drag Egypt into a war, according to King Hussein?

Israeli-American

What territory was King Hussein afraid Israel would obtain?

West Bank

Who did Nasser think would prevent Israel from launching an offensive?

US


On 21 May, Amer asked Nasser to order the Straits of Tiran blockaded, a move Nasser believed Israel would use as a casus belli. Amer reassured him that the army was prepared for confrontation, but Nasser doubted Amer's assessment of the military's readiness. According to Nasser's vice president Zakaria Mohieddin, although "Amer had absolute authority over the armed forces, Nasser had his ways of knowing what was really going on". Moreover, Amer anticipated an impending Israeli attack and advocated a preemptive strike. Nasser refused the call upon determination that the air force lacked pilots and Amer's handpicked officers were incompetent. Still, Nasser concluded that if Israel attacked, Egypt's quantitative advantage in manpower and arms could stave off Israeli forces for at least two weeks, allowing for diplomacy towards a ceasefire. Towards the end of May, Nasser increasingly exchanged his positions of deterrence for deference to the inevitability of war, under increased pressure to act by both the general Arab populace and various Arab governments. On 26 May Nasser declared, "our basic objective will be to destroy Israel". On 30 May, King Hussein committed Jordan in an alliance with Egypt and Syria.

What thoroughfare did Amir want Nasser to block?

Straits of Tiran

Who was Nassir's vice president?

Zakaria Mohieddin

How would Nassir deal with an Israeli invasion, if it happened?

diplomacy towards a ceasefire

What country joined Egypt and Syria against Israel?

Jordan


According to Sadat, it was only when the Israelis cut off the Egyptian garrison at Sharm el-Sheikh that Nasser became aware of the situation's gravity. After hearing of the attack, he rushed to army headquarters to inquire about the military situation. The simmering conflict between Nasser and Amer subsequently came to the fore, and officers present reported the pair burst into "a nonstop shouting match". The Supreme Executive Committee, set up by Nasser to oversee the conduct of the war, attributed the repeated Egyptian defeats to the Nasser–Amer rivalry and Amer's overall incompetence. According to Egyptian diplomat Ismail Fahmi, who became foreign minister during Sadat's presidency, the Israeli invasion and Egypt's consequent defeat was a result of Nasser's dismissal of all rational analysis of the situation and his undertaking of a series of irrational decisions.

What defeat opened Nasser's eyes to the desperation of Egypt's situation?

Sharm el-Sheikh

What two Egyptian leaders personal conflicts played a large part in Egypt's poor showing  in the war?

Nasser–Amer

What did Nasser dismiss during the war?

rational analysis


During the first four days of the war, the general population of the Arab world believed Arab radio station fabrications of imminent Arab victory. On 9 June, Nasser appeared on television to inform Egypt's citizens of their country's defeat. He announced his resignation on television later that day, and ceded all presidential powers to his then-Vice President Zakaria Mohieddin, who had no prior information of this decision and refused to accept the post. Hundreds of thousands of sympathizers poured into the streets in mass demonstrations throughout Egypt and across the Arab world rejecting his resignation, chanting, "We are your soldiers, Gamal!" Nasser retracted his decision the next day.

What propaganda were Arab media broadcasting at the beginning of the war?

imminent Arab victory

What day did Nasser announce Egypt's defeat?

9 June

What did Nasser do about his position as President?

announced his resignation

Who rejected Nasser's offer to become the new president?

Zakaria Mohieddin

What did Nasser do after mass demonstrations?

retracted his decision


On 11 July, Nasser replaced Amer with Mohamed Fawzi as general commander, over the protestations of Amer's loyalists in the military, 600 of whom marched on army headquarters and demanded Amer's reinstatement. After Nasser sacked thirty of the loyalists in response, Amer and his allies devised a plan to topple him on 27 August. Nasser was tipped off about their activities and, after several invitations, he convinced Amer to meet him at his home on 24 August. Nasser confronted Amer about the coup plot, which he denied before being arrested by Mohieddin. Amer committed suicide on 14 September. Despite his souring relationship with Amer, Nasser spoke of losing "the person closest to [him]". Thereafter, Nasser began a process of depoliticizing the armed forces, arresting dozens of leading military and intelligence figures loyal to Amer.

Who did Nasser appoint as the new head of Egypt's armed forces?

Mohamed Fawzi

How did Amer react to being confronted about planning a coup?

suicide

How did Nasser try to deal with the military following the coup attempt?

depoliticizing the armed forces

What loyalists did Nasser target?

figures loyal to Amer


At the 29 August Arab League summit in Khartoum, Nasser's usual commanding position had receded as the attending heads of state expected Saudi King Faisal to lead. A ceasefire in the Yemen War was declared and the summit concluded with the Khartoum Resolution. The Soviet Union soon resupplied the Egyptian military with about half of its former arsenals and broke diplomatic relations with Israel. Nasser cut relations with the US following the war, and, according to Aburish, his policy of "playing the superpowers against each other" ended. In November, Nasser accepted UN Resolution 242, which called for Israel's withdrawal from territories acquired in the war. His supporters claimed Nasser's move was meant to buy time to prepare for another confrontation with Israel, while his detractors believed his acceptance of the resolution signaled a waning interest in Palestinian independence.

Where was the Arab League summit held?

Khartoum

What leader assumed a more prominent position due to Nasser's difficulites?

King Faisal

What agreement ended the Yemeni civil war?

Khartoum Resolution

What nation granted military aid to Egypt?

Soviet Union

What document called for Israel to abandon land it obtained during the war?

UN Resolution 242


Nasser appointed himself the additional roles of prime minister and supreme commander of the armed forces on 19 June 1967. Angry at the military court's perceived leniency with air force officers charged with negligence during the 1967 war, workers and students launched protests calling for major political reforms in late February 1968. Nasser responded to the demonstrations, the most significant public challenge to his rule since workers' protests in March 1954, by removing most military figures from his cabinet and appointing eight civilians in place of several high-ranking members of the Arab Socialist Union (ASU). By 3 March, Nasser directed Egypt's intelligence apparatus to focus on external rather than domestic espionage, and declared the "fall of the mukhabarat state".

What new positions did Nasser give himself ?

prime minister and supreme commander of the armed forces

When did students protest for political reforms?

What type of people were ousted from Nasser's cabinet?

Arab Socialist Union

What type of spying did Nasser want to concentrate on?

external


On 30 March, Nasser proclaimed a manifesto stipulating the restoration of civil liberties, greater parliamentary independence from the executive, major structural changes to the ASU, and a campaign to rid the government of corrupt elements. A public referendum approved the proposed measures in May, and held subsequent elections for the Supreme Executive Committee, the ASU's highest decision-making body. Observers noted that the declaration signaled an important shift from political repression to liberalization, although its promises would largely go unfulfilled.

What organization was to undergo a big overhaul?

ASU

What trend was Nasser trying to cause?

liberalization

How did Nasser's promises of increased freedoms turn out?

unfulfilled

How did Nasser want to change the relationship between parliament and the executive?

independence


Meanwhile, in January 1968, Nasser commenced the War of Attrition to reclaim territory captured by Israel, ordering attacks against Israeli positions east of the then-blockaded Suez Canal. In March, Nasser offered Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement arms and funds after their performance against Israeli forces in the Battle of Karameh that month. He also advised Arafat to think of peace with Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state comprising the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Nasser effectively ceded his leadership of the "Palestine issue" to Arafat.

What was the endeavor to reclaim territory from Israel called?

War of Attrition

In what year did the War of Attrition begin?

Who led the Fatah movement?

Yasser Arafat

In what battle had the Fatah movement distinguished itself?

Battle of Karameh

To whom did Nasser give authority to deal with Israel?

Arafat


Israel retaliated against Egyptian shelling with commando raids, artillery shelling and air strikes. This resulted in an exodus of civilians from Egyptian cities along the Suez Canal's western bank. Nasser ceased all military activities and began a program to build a network of internal defenses, while receiving the financial backing of various Arab states. The war resumed in March 1969. In November, Nasser brokered an agreement between the PLO and the Lebanese military that granted Palestinian guerrillas the right to use Lebanese territory to attack Israel.

What did Nasser do to respond to Israeli attacks?

build a network of internal defenses

When did the war start up again?

March 1969

What groups did Nasser broker an agreement with?

PLO and the Lebanese military

Who would get to attack Israel from Lebanon?

Palestinian guerrillas


In June 1970, Nasser accepted the US-sponsored Rogers Plan, which called for an end to hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal from Egyptian territory, but it was rejected by Israel, the PLO, and most Arab states except Jordan. Nasser had initially rejected the plan, but conceded under pressure from the Soviet Union, which feared that escalating regional conflict could drag it into a war with the US. He also determined that a ceasefire could serve as a tactical step toward the strategic goal of recapturing the Suez Canal. Nasser forestalled any movement toward direct negotiations with Israel. In dozens of speeches and statements, Nasser posited the equation that any direct peace talks with Israel were tantamount to surrender. Following Nasser's acceptance, Israel agreed to a ceasefire and Nasser used the lull in fighting to move SAM missiles towards the canal zone.

What was the American plan to end conflict with Israel?

Rogers Plan

Who pressured Nasser to accept the Rogers Plan?

Soviet Union

What did Nasser want to use the agreement to do?

recapturing the Suez Canal

How did Nasser equate peace with Israel?

surrender

What did Nasser move to the canal zone?

SAM missiles


As the summit closed on 28 September 1970, hours after escorting the last Arab leader to leave, Nasser suffered a heart attack. He was immediately transported to his house, where his physicians tended to him. Nasser died several hours later, around 6:00 p.m. Heikal, Sadat, and Nasser's wife Tahia were at his deathbed. According to his doctor, al-Sawi Habibi, Nasser's likely cause of death was arteriosclerosis, varicose veins, and complications from long-standing diabetes. Nasser was a heavy smoker with a family history of heart disease—two of his brothers died in their fifties from the same condition. The state of Nasser's health was not known to the public prior to his death. He had previously suffered heart attacks in 1966 and September 1969.

When did Nasser die?

28 September 1970

How did Nasser die?

heart attack

Who was with Nasser when he died?

Heikal, Sadat, and Nasser's wife Tahia

What health events had Nasser suffered in 1966 and 1969?

heart attacks

How old were Nasser's brothers when they died?

in their fifties


Following the announcement of Nasser's death, Egypt and the Arab world were in a state of shock. Nasser's funeral procession through Cairo on 1 October was attended by at least five million mourners. The 10-kilometer (6.2 mi) procession to his burial site began at the old RCC headquarters with a flyover by MiG-21 jets. His flag-draped coffin was attached to a gun carriage pulled by six horses and led by a column of cavalrymen. All Arab heads of state attended, with the exception of Saudi King Faisal. King Hussein and Arafat cried openly, and Muammar Gaddafi of Libya fainted from emotional distress twice. A few major non-Arab dignitaries were present, including Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin and French Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas.

How many people attended Nasser's funeral?

at least five million

At what landmark did the funeral procession begin?

the old RCC headquarters

Who was the only Arab leader not to attend Nasser's funeral?

Saudi King Faisal

What leader twice fainted during the funeral?

Muammar Gaddafi

Who was the Soviet leader who attended Nasser's funeral?

Alexei Kosygin


Because of his ability to motivate nationalistic passions, "men, women, and children wept and wailed in the streets" after hearing of his death, according to Nutting. The general Arab reaction was one of mourning, with thousands of people pouring onto the streets of major cities throughout the Arab world. Over a dozen people were killed in Beirut as a result of the chaos, and in Jerusalem, roughly 75,000 Arabs marched through the Old City chanting, "Nasser will never die." As a testament to his unchallenged leadership of the Arab people, following his death, the headline of the Lebanese Le Jour read, "One hundred million human beings—the Arabs—are orphans." Sherif Hetata, a former political prisoner and later member Nasser's ASU, said that "Nasser's greatest achievement was his funeral. The world will never again see five million people crying together."

How many eople died in Breuit because of unrest caused by Nasser's death?

Over a dozen

How many people marched in Jerusalem?

Who said, "The world will never again see five million people crying together?"

Sherif Hetata

What did a Lebanese publication call the Arabs following Nasser's death?

orphans


Nasser made Egypt fully independent of British influence, and the country became a major power in the developing world under his leadership. One of Nasser's main domestic efforts was to establish social justice, which he deemed a prerequisite to liberal democracy. During his presidency, ordinary citizens enjoyed unprecedented access to housing, education, jobs, health services and nourishment, as well as other forms of social welfare, while feudalistic influence waned. By the end of his presidency, employment and working conditions improved considerably, although poverty was still high in the country and substantial resources allocated for social welfare had been diverted to the war effort.

What did Nasser completely eliminate from Egypt?

British influence

What did Nasser work to put into place in Egypt?

social justice

How were working conditions and employment at the end of Nasser's presidency?

improved considerably

What had drained resources from Nasser's social programs?

war effort


The national economy grew significantly through agrarian reform, major modernization projects such as the Helwan steel works and the Aswan Dam, and nationalization schemes such as that of the Suez Canal. However, the marked economic growth of the early 1960s took a downturn for the remainder of the decade, only recovering in 1970. Egypt experienced a "golden age" of culture during Nasser's presidency, according to historian Joel Gordon, particularly in film, television, theater, radio, literature, fine arts, comedy, poetry, and music. Egypt under Nasser dominated the Arab world in these fields, producing cultural icons.

What reform, initiated by Nasser, caused the Egyptian economy to grow?

agrarian

What are two infrastructure projects Nasser embarked on?

Helwan steel works and the Aswan Dam

How was Egyptian culture under Nasser refered to?

golden age

What was the most prominent thing Nasser nationalized?

Suez Canal


During Mubarak's presidency, Nasserist political parties began to emerge in Egypt, the first being the Arab Democratic Nasserist Party (ADNP). The party carried minor political influence, and splits between its members beginning in 1995 resulted in the gradual establishment of splinter parties, including Hamdeen Sabahi's 1997 founding of Al-Karama. Sabahi came in third place during the 2012 presidential election. Nasserist activists were among the founders of Kefaya, a major opposition force during Mubarak's rule. On 19 September 2012, four Nasserist parties (the ADNP, Karama, the National Conciliation Party, and the Popular Nasserist Congress Party) merged to form the United Nasserist Party.

What type of political parties came about when Mubarek was president?

Nasserist

What was the first Nasserist political party?

Arab Democratic Nasserist Party

What party came in third in the 2013 election?

Sabahi

What consolated party was formed from several Nasserist groups?

United Nasserist Party


Nasser was known for his intimate relationship with ordinary Egyptians. His availability to the public, despite assassination attempts against him, was unparalleled among his successors. A skilled orator, Nasser gave 1,359 speeches between 1953 and 1970, a record for any Egyptian head of state. Historian Elie Podeh wrote that a constant theme of Nasser's image was "his ability to represent Egyptian authenticity, in triumph or defeat". The national press also helped to foster his popularity and profile—more so after the nationalization of state media. Historian Tarek Osman wrote:

What was Nasser known for in regard to ordinary citizens?

availability to the public

How many speeches did Nasser give?

Who gave the most speeches of any Egyptian leader?

Nasser

What institution helped cultivate Nasser's positive public image?

press


While Nasser was increasingly criticized by Egyptian intellectuals following the Six-Day War and his death in 1970, the general public was persistently sympathetic both during and after Nasser's life. According to political scientist Mahmoud Hamad, writing in 2008, "nostalgia for Nasser is easily sensed in Egypt and all Arab countries today". General malaise in Egyptian society, particularly during the Mubarak era, augmented nostalgia for Nasser's presidency, which increasingly became associated with the ideals of national purpose, hope, social cohesion, and vibrant culture.

Who was most critical of Nasser's rule?

Egyptian intellectuals

What event generated criticism of Nasser from Egypt's elite?

Six-Day War

During whose presidency were Egyptians nostalgic for Nasser?

Mubarak

What ideals are associated with Nasser's time as prsident?

national purpose, hope, social cohesion, and vibrant culture


Nasser's Egyptian detractors considered him a dictator who thwarted democratic progress, imprisoned thousands of dissidents, and led a repressive administration responsible for numerous human rights violations. Islamists in Egypt, particularly members of the politically persecuted Brotherhood, viewed Nasser as oppressive, tyrannical, and demonic. Liberal writer Tawfiq al-Hakim described Nasser as a "confused Sultan" who employed stirring rhetoric, but had no actual plan to achieve his stated goals.

Whad did Nasser's enemies call him?

dictator

Who did Nasser imprison thousands of?

dissidents

What did Tawfiq al-Hakim call Nasser?

confused Sultan


Some of Nasser's liberal and Islamist critics in Egypt, including the founding members of the New Wafd Party and writer Jamal Badawi, dismissed Nasser's popular appeal with the Egyptian masses during his presidency as being the product of successful manipulation and demagoguery. Egyptian political scientist Alaa al-Din Desouki blamed the 1952 revolution's shortcomings on Nasser's concentration of power, and Egypt's lack of democracy on Nasser's political style and his government's limitations on freedom of expression and political participation.

What Egyptian party dismissed Nasser's popular appeal?

New Wafd Party

Who blamed the 1952 revolution's failings on Nasser?

Alaa al-Din Desouki

To what did critics attribute Nasser's popular appeal?

successful manipulation and demagoguery


American political scientist Mark Cooper asserted that Nasser's charisma and his direct relationship with the Egyptian people "rendered intermediaries (organizations and individuals) unnecessary". He opined that Nasser's legacy was a "guarantee of instability" due to Nasser's reliance on personal power and the absence of strong political institutions under his rule. Historian Abd al-Azim Ramadan wrote that Nasser was an irrational and irresponsible leader, blaming his inclination to solitary decision-making for Egypt's losses during the Suez War, among other events. Miles Copeland, Jr. , once described as Nasser's closest Western adviser, said that the barriers between Nasser and the outside world have grown so thick that all but the information that attest to his infallibility, indispensability, and immortality has been filtered out.

What did Nasser's political style render unnecessary?

intermediaries

What was needed under Nasser, the absence of which guaranteed instability?

strong political institutions

Who called Nasser an irrational and irresponsible leader?

Abd al-Azim Ramadan

Who was Nasser's closest Western advisor?

Miles Copeland, Jr


Zakaria Mohieddin, who was Nasser's vice president, said that Nasser gradually changed during his reign. He ceased consulting his colleagues and made more and more of the decisions himself. Although Nasser repeatedly said that a war with Israel will start at a time of his, or Arab, choosing, on 1967 he started a bluffing game "but a successful bluff means your opponent must not know which cards you are holding. In this case Nasser's opponent could see his hand in the mirror and knew he was only holding a pair of deuces" and Nasser knew that his army is not prepared yet. "All of this was out of character...His tendencies in this regard may have been accentuated by diabetes... That was the only rational explanation for his actions in 1967".

Who was Nasser's vice president?

Zakaria Mohieddin

What gambit did Nasser fail at in his bluster with Israel?

bluffing

What did Nasser do over the years of his rule?

gradually changed

What did Mohieddin attribute Nassir's mistakes in 1967 to?

diabetes


Through his actions and speeches, and because he was able to symbolize the popular Arab will, Nasser inspired several nationalist revolutions in the Arab world. He defined the politics of his generation and communicated directly with the public masses of the Arab world, bypassing the various heads of states of those countries—an accomplishment not repeated by other Arab leaders. The extent of Nasser's centrality in the region made it a priority for incoming Arab nationalist heads of state to seek good relations with Egypt, in order to gain popular legitimacy from their own citizens.

What did other Arab leaders have to do to gain admiration of their populations?

seek good relations with Egypt

What did Nasser cause in the wider Arab world?

several nationalist revolutions

What have other Arab leaders been unable to do that Nasser was?

communicated directly with the public masses

What did Nasser symbolize?

the popular Arab will


To varying degrees, Nasser's statist system of government was continued in Egypt and emulated by virtually all Arab republics, namely Algeria, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya. Ahmed Ben Bella, Algeria's first president, was a staunch Nasserist. Abdullah al-Sallal drove out the king of North Yemen in the name of Nasser's pan-Arabism. Other coups influenced by Nasser included those that occurred in Iraq in July 1958 and Syria in 1963. Muammar Gaddafi, who overthrew the Libyan monarchy in 1969, considered Nasser his hero and sought to succeed him as "leader of the Arabs". Also in 1969, Colonel Gaafar Nimeiry, a supporter of Nasser, took power in Sudan. The Arab Nationalist Movement (ANM) helped spread Nasser's pan-Arabist ideas throughout the Arab world, particularly among the Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese, and in South Yemen, the Persian Gulf, and Iraq. While many regional heads of state tried to emulate Nasser, Podeh opined that the "parochialism" of successive Arab leaders "transformed imitation [of Nasser] into parody".

Who was Algeria's first president, a fervent Nasserist?

Ben Bella

What Nasserist usurped the King of Yemen?

Abdullah al-Sallal

Which leader considered Nasser his hero?

Muammar Gaddafi

What leader took power in Sudan and was inspired by Nasser?

Colonel Gaafar Nimeiry

What organization continued Nasser's philosophies?

Arab Nationalist Movement


In 1963, Egyptian director Youssef Chahine produced the film El Nasser Salah El Dine ("Saladin The Victorious"), which intentionally drew parallels between Saladin, considered a hero in the Arab world, and Nasser and his pan-Arabist policies. Nasser is played by Ahmed Zaki in Mohamed Fadel's 1996 Nasser 56. The film set the Egyptian box office record at the time, and focused on Nasser during the Suez Crisis. It is also considered a milestone in Egyptian and Arab cinema as the first film to dramatize the role of a modern-day Arab leader. Together with the 1999 Syrian biopic Gamal Abdel Nasser, the films marked the first biographical movies about contemporary public figures produced in the Arab world.

What 1963 film compared Nasser to Saladin?

El Nasser Salah El Dine

What 1996 Nasser-related film set a box office record?

Nasser 56

What was Nasser 56 about?

Suez Crisis

What was the famous biopic about Nasser?

Gamal Abdel Nasser


In 1944, Nasser married Tahia Kazem, the 22-year-old daughter of a wealthy Iranian father and an Egyptian mother, both of whom died when she was young. She was introduced to Nasser through her brother, Abdel Hamid Kazim, a merchant friend of Nasser's, in 1943. After their wedding, the couple moved into a house in Manshiyat al-Bakri, a suburb of Cairo, where they would live for the rest of their lives. Nasser's entry into the officer corps in 1937 secured him relatively well-paid employment in a society where most people lived in poverty.

Who did Nasser marry in 1944?

Tahia Kazem

Who introduced Nasser and his wife?

Abdel Hamid Kazim

Where did Nasser and his wife live after they were married?

Manshiyat al-Bakri

What job of Nasser's offered him a comparably comfortable lifestyle?

officer corps


Nasser had few personal vices other than chain smoking. He maintained 18-hour workdays and rarely took time off for vacations. The combination of smoking and working long hours contributed to his poor health. He was diagnosed with diabetes in the early 1960s and by the time of his death in 1970, he also had arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and high blood pressure. He suffered two major heart attacks (in 1966 and 1969), and was on bed rest for six weeks after the second episode. State media reported that Nasser's absence from the public view at that time was a result of influenza.

What was Nasser's principle vice?

chain smoking

How long was a typical workday for Nasser?

What illness was Nasser diagnosed with in 1960?

diabetes

What year did Nasser die?

What did Egyptian state media claim was the reason for Nasser's absence after his second heart attack?

influenza


Pope Saint John XXIII (Latin: Ioannes XXIII; Italian: Giovanni XXIII) born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli,[a] Italian pronunciation: [ˈandʒelo dʒuˈzɛppe roŋˈkalli]; 25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963) reigned as Pope from 28 October 1958 to his death in 1963 and was canonized on 27 April 2014. Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was the fourth of fourteen children born to a family of sharecroppers who lived in a village in Lombardy. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 August 1904 and served in a number of posts, including papal nuncio in France and a delegate to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. In a consistory on 12 January 1953 Pope Pius XII made Roncalli a cardinal as the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca in addition to naming him as the Patriarch of Venice.

What was Pope Saint John XXIII's birth name?

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli

When was Pope Saint John XXIII born?

25 November 1881

When did Pope Saint XXIII die?

3 June 1963

How long did he reign as Pope?

28 October 1958 to his death in 1963

When was he ordained to the priesthood?

10 August 1904

When was Pope Pius XII born?

I'm not sure.

When did Pope Pius XII die?

I'm not sure.

How long did Pope Pius XII reign as Pope?

I'm not sure.

When was Pope Pius XII canonized?

I'm not sure.

What was the birth name of Pope Pius XII?

I'm not sure.


Roncalli was elected pope on 28 October 1958 at age 76 after 11 ballots. His selection was unexpected, and Roncalli himself had come to Rome with a return train ticket to Venice. He was the first pope to take the pontifical name of "John" upon election in more than 500 years, and his choice settled the complicated question of official numbering attached to this papal name due to the antipope of this name. Pope John XXIII surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling the historic Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the first session opening on 11 October 1962. His passionate views on equality were summed up in his famous statement, "We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike." John XXIII made many passionate speeches during his pontificate, one of which was on the day that he opened the Second Vatican Council in the middle of the night to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square: "Dear children, returning home, you will find children: give your children a hug and say: This is a hug from the Pope!"

How old was Roncalli when elected pope?

When was Roncalli elected pope?

28 October 1958

He was the first pope to take the pontifical name of "John" upon election in how long?

500 years

Pope John XXIII surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling what?

Second Vatican Council

When did he call the Second Vatican Council?

11 October 1962

When was St. Peter's Square built?

I'm not sure.

When the Second Vatican Council came to Rome what did they plan to return to?

I'm not sure.

How long has there been a Pope in Rome?

I'm not sure.

What did God expect the Pope to be?

I'm not sure.

What did the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square think the Pope's name choice settled?

I'm not sure.


Pope John XXIII did not live to see the Vatican Council to completion. He died of stomach cancer on 3 June 1963, four and a half years after his election and two months after the completion of his final and famed encyclical, Pacem in terris. He was buried in the Vatican grottoes beneath Saint Peter's Basilica on 6 June 1963 and his cause for canonization was opened on 18 November 1965 by his successor, Pope Paul VI, who declared him a Servant of God. In addition to being named Venerable on 20 December 1999, he was beatified on 3 September 2000 by Pope John Paul II alongside Pope Pius IX and three others. Following his beatification, his body was moved on 3 June 2001 from its original place to the altar of Saint Jerome where it could be seen by the faithful. On 5 July 2013, Pope Francis – bypassing the traditionally required second miracle – declared John XXIII a saint, after unanimous agreement by a consistory, or meeting, of the College of Cardinals, based on the fact that he was considered to have lived a virtuous, model lifestyle, and because of the good for the Church which had come from his having opened the Second Vatican Council. He was canonised alongside Pope Saint John Paul II on 27 April 2014. John XXIII today is affectionately known as the "Good Pope" and in Italian, "il Papa buono".

When did the pope die?

3 June 1963

What did the pope die of?

stomach cancer

Where was he buried?

the Vatican grottoes beneath Saint Peter's Basilica

When was he beatified?

3 September 2000

He is still known today as what?

the "Good Pope"

When did Pope Francis die?

I'm not sure.

How long after he was elected did Pope Francis die?

I'm not sure.

Where was Pope Francis buried?

I'm not sure.

What illness did Pope Francis die of?

I'm not sure.

When was Pope Francis beatified?

I'm not sure.


The Roman Catholic Church celebrates his feast day not on the date of his death, June 3, as is usual, nor even on the day of his papal inauguration (as is sometimes done with Popes who are Saints, such as with John Paul II) but on 11 October, the day of the first session of the Second Vatican Council. This is understandable, since he was the one who had had the idea for it and had convened it. On Thursday, 11 September 2014, Pope Francis added his optional memorial to the worldwide General Roman Calendar of saints' feast days, in response to global requests. He is commemorated on the date of his death, 3 June, by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and on the following day, 4 June, by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church (United States).

When is his feast day celebrated?

11 October

What is October 11?

the day of the first session of the Second Vatican Council

When did Pope Francis added his optional memorial to the worldwide General Roman Calendar of saints' feast days?

11 September 2014

Where did Pope Francis commemorate his death on 3 June?

by the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Where did Pope Francis commemorate his death on 4 June?

by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church (United States)

When does the United States celebrate his feast day?

I'm not sure.

What was added by the Evangelical Lutheran Church on Thursday, 11 Sept. 2014?

I'm not sure.

Why did the Evangelical Lutheran Church add this memorial to the calendar?

I'm not sure.

What group was created by Pope Francis?

I'm not sure.

What date was Pope John Paul inagurated?

I'm not sure.


In February 1925, the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri summoned him to the Vatican and informed him of Pope Pius XI's decision to appoint him as the Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria (1925–35). On 3 March, Pius XI also named him for consecration as titular archbishop of Areopolis, Jordan. Roncalli was initially reluctant about a mission to Bulgaria, but he would soon relent. His nomination as apostolic visitor was made official on 19 March. Roncalli was consecrated by Giovanni Tacci Porcelli in the church of San Carlo alla Corso in Rome. After he was consecrated, he introduced his family to Pope Pius XI. He chose as his episcopal motto Obedientia et Pax ("Obedience and Peace"), which became his guiding motto. While he was in Bulgaria, an earthquake struck in a town not too far from where he was. Unaffected, he wrote to his sisters Ancilla and Maria and told them both that he was fine.

When did Pietro Gasparri summon him to the Vatican?

February 1925

Who was the Cardinal Secretary of State in 1925?

Pietro Gasparri

When was he the Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria?

When was his nomination as apostolic visitor made official?

19 March

Who was he consecrated by?

Giovanni Tacci Porcelli

When was Pius XI asked to come to the Vatican by the Cardinal Secretary of State?

I'm not sure.

When was Pope Pius XI named Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria?

I'm not sure.

Where was Pope Pius XI consecrated?

I'm not sure.

What was the guiding motto of Pope Pius XI?

I'm not sure.

What happened when Pope Pius XI was in Bulgaria?

I'm not sure.


On 30 November 1934, he was appointed Apostolic Delegate to Turkey and Greece and titular archbishop of Mesembria, Bulgaria. Thus, he is known as "the Turcophile Pope," by the Turkish society which is predominantly Muslim. Roncalli took up this post in 1935 and used his office to help the Jewish underground in saving thousands of refugees in Europe, leading some to consider him to be a Righteous Gentile (see Pope John XXIII and Judaism). In October 1935, he led Bulgarian pilgrims to Rome and introduced them to Pope Pius XI on 14 October.

When was he appointed Apostolic Delegate to Turkey and Greece?

30 November 1934

He was appointed titular archbishop of where?

Mesembria, Bulgaria

What ws he known by in the Turkish community?

the Turcophile Pope

When did he take that position?

Who did he introduce Bulgarian pilgrims to?

Pope Pius XI

When was Pope Pius XI appointed Apostolic Delegate to Turkey and Greece?

I'm not sure.

Where was Pope Pius XI named a titular archbishop?

I'm not sure.

What title is Pope Pius XI known by in Turkey?

I'm not sure.

When did Pope Pius XI take his position in Turkey?

I'm not sure.

Who did Pope Pius XI used his office to save?

I'm not sure.


In February 1939, he received news from his sisters that his mother was dying. On 10 February 1939, Pope Pius XI died. Roncalli was unable to see his mother for the end as the death of a pontiff meant that he would have to stay at his post until the election of a new pontiff. Unfortunately, she died on 20 February 1939, during the nine days of mourning for the late Pius XI. He was sent a letter by Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, and Roncalli later recalled that it was probably the last letter Pacelli sent until his election as Pope Pius XII on 2 March 1939. Roncalli expressed happiness that Pacelli was elected, and, on radio, listened to the coronation of the new pontiff.

When did he hear that his mother was dying?

February 1939

When did Pope Pius XI die?

10 February 1939

When did his mother die?

20 February 1939

Who sent him the letter informing him of his mother's death?

Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli

When was Pope Pius XII elected?

2 March 1939

What did Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli receive in February 1939?

I'm not sure.

When did Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli die?

I'm not sure.

During what time did Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli die?

I'm not sure.

When was Roncalli elected as Pope?

I'm not sure.

How did Pope Pius XI keep track of the election of the new Pope?

I'm not sure.


On 12 January 1953, he was appointed Patriarch of Venice and, accordingly, raised to the rank of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca by Pope Pius XII. Roncalli left France for Venice on 23 February 1953 stopping briefly in Milan and then to Rome. On 15 March 1953, he took possession of his new diocese in Venice. As a sign of his esteem, the President of France, Vincent Auriol, claimed the ancient privilege possessed by French monarchs and bestowed the red biretta on Roncalli at a ceremony in the Élysée Palace. It was around this time that he, with the aid of Monsignor Bruno Heim, formed his coat of arms with a lion of Saint Mark on a white ground. Auriol also awarded Roncalli three months later with the award of Commander of the Legion of Honour.

When was he appointed Patriarch of Venice?

12 January 1953

Pope Pius XII raised him to what rank?

Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca

When did he leave France for Venice?

23 February 1953

When did he take up his new diocese in Venice?

15 March 1953

Who was the President of France in 1953?

Vincent Auriol

When was Pope Pius XII appointed Patriarch of Venice?

I'm not sure.

What rank was Pope Pius XII raised to?

I'm not sure.

On what date did Pope Pius XII leave France to go to Venice?

I'm not sure.

When did Pope Pius XII take possession of the diocese in Venice?

I'm not sure.

What did the President of France give to Pope Piux XII as a sign of esteem?

I'm not sure.


His sister Ancilla would soon be diagnosed with stomach cancer in the early 1950s. Roncalli's last letter to her was dated on 8 November 1953 where he promised to visit her within the next week. He could not keep that promise, as Ancilla died on 11 November 1953 at the time when he was consecrating a new church in Venice. He attended her funeral back in his hometown. In his will around this time, he mentioned that he wished to be buried in the crypt of Saint Mark's in Venice with some of his predecessors rather than with the family in Sotto il Monte.

When was his sister Ancilla diagnosed with stomach cancer?

the early 1950s

When did he send his last letter to his dying sister?

8 November 1953

When did Ancilla die?

11 November 1953

Where did he want to be buried?

the crypt of Saint Mark's in Venice

What was Roncalli diagnosed with in the early 1950's?

I'm not sure.

Where did Roncalli's sister want to be buried in her will?

I'm not sure.

Where was Roncalli's funeral held?

I'm not sure.

When was one of Roncalli's predecessors buried?

I'm not sure.


Following the death of Pope Pius XII on 9 October 1958, Roncalli watched the live funeral on his last full day in Venice on 11 October. His journal was specifically concerned with the funeral and the abused state of the late pontiff's corpse. Roncalli left Venice for the conclave in Rome well aware that he was papabile,[b] and after eleven ballots, was elected to succeed the late Pius XII, so it came as no surprise to him, though he had arrived at the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice.[citation needed]

When did Pope Pius XII die?

9 October 1958

When was his last full day in Venice?

11 October

Why did Roncalli leave Venice?

for the conclave in Rome

He was elected pope after how many ballots?

eleven ballots

When did Roncalli die?

I'm not sure.

What did Pope Piux XII do on October 11?

I'm not sure.

What was Pope Pius XII concerned about so that he wrote it down?

I'm not sure.

When Pope Pius XII left Venice, where was he going?

I'm not sure.

How many ballots did Pope Pius XII have when he was elected as Pope?

I'm not sure.


Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, the Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although he was the archbishop of one of the most ancient and prominent sees in Italy, he had not yet been made a cardinal. Though his absence from the 1958 conclave did not make him ineligible – under Canon Law any Catholic male who is capable of receiving priestly ordination and episcopal consecration may be elected – the College of Cardinals usually chose the new pontiff from among the Cardinals who head archdioceses or departments of the Roman Curia that attend the papal conclave. At the time, as opposed to contemporary practice, the participating Cardinals did not have to be below age 80 to vote, there were few Eastern-rite Cardinals, and no Cardinals who were just priests at the time of their elevation.

Who was the Archbishop of Milan?

Giovanni Battista Montini

New pontiffs are chosen from Cardinals who head what?

archdioceses or departments of the Roman Curia

When was Montini absent from the conclave?

What was the Roman curia absent from in 1958?

I'm not sure.

Who can be elected to the College of Cardinals under Canon Law?

I'm not sure.

Where did the College of Cardinals choose the Archbishop of Milan from?

I'm not sure.

What age did the Archbishop of Milan not have to be below to serve in office?

I'm not sure.

What were Eastern-rite Cardinals in charge of in Italy?

I'm not sure.


Roncalli was summoned to the final ballot of the conclave at 4:00 pm. He was elected pope at 4:30 pm with a total of 38 votes. After the long pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the cardinals chose a man who – it was presumed because of his advanced age – would be a short-term or "stop-gap" pope. They wished to choose a candidate who would do little during the new pontificate. Upon his election, Cardinal Eugene Tisserant asked him the ritual questions of whether he would accept and if so, what name he would take for himself. Roncalli gave the first of his many surprises when he chose "John" as his regnal name. Roncalli's exact words were "I will be called John". This was the first time in over 500 years that this name had been chosen; previous popes had avoided its use since the time of the Antipope John XXIII during the Western Schism several centuries before.

When was the final ballot of the conclave?

4:00 pm

How many votes did he have?

38 votes

What name did Roncalli choose?

John

John had not been a chosen name in how long?

over 500 years

Who was the last to choose the name John?

Antipope John XXIII

At what time was John XXIII called to final ballot of the conclave?

I'm not sure.

What time was Cardinal Eugene Tisserant elected as Pope?

I'm not sure.

How many votes did Cardinal Eugene Tisserant have?

I'm not sure.

What was the presumption about Cardinal Eugene Tisserant because he was older when elected?

I'm not sure.

What were the other cardinals trying to do by electing Cardinal Eugene Tisserant as Pope?

I'm not sure.


Far from being a mere "stopgap" pope, to great excitement, John XXIII called for an ecumenical council fewer than ninety years after the First Vatican Council (Vatican I's predecessor, the Council of Trent, had been held in the 16th century). This decision was announced on 29 January 1959 at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, who later became Pope Paul VI, remarked to Giulio Bevilacqua that "this holy old boy doesn't realise what a hornet's nest he's stirring up". From the Second Vatican Council came changes that reshaped the face of Catholicism: a comprehensively revised liturgy, a stronger emphasis on ecumenism, and a new approach to the world.

What did John XXIII call for?

an ecumenical council

When was the decision made for this council?

29 January 1959

Where was the decision made for this council?

the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Who did Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini later become?

Pope Paul VI

What did Pope Paul VI call for?

I'm not sure.

What changes were made by the Council of Trent?

I'm not sure.

Who did Giulio Bevilacqua later become?

I'm not sure.

In what century was Catholocism popular?

I'm not sure.

How many years had passed since Giulio Bevilacqua called for the First Vatican Council?

I'm not sure.


John XXIII was an advocate for human rights which included the unborn and the elderly. He wrote about human rights in his Pacem in terris. He wrote, "Man has the right to live. He has the right to bodily integrity and to the means necessary for the proper development of life, particularly food, clothing, shelter, medical care, rest, and, finally, the necessary social services. In consequence, he has the right to be looked after in the event of ill health; disability stemming from his work; widowhood; old age; enforced unemployment; or whenever through no fault of his own he is deprived of the means of livelihood."

John XXIII was an advocate for what?

human rights

What did he write about human rights in?

his Pacem in terris

His advocacy from human rights included whom?

the unborn and the elderly

What did widows advocate for?

I'm not sure.

What work, written by widows, focused on human rights?

I'm not sure.

What do people who are disabled need the most, according to widows?

I'm not sure.

What are two groups that need the most services, according to widows?

I'm not sure.

What is one time that widows think the unborn should be taken care of?

I'm not sure.


Maintaining continuity with his predecessors, John XXIII continued the gradual reform of the Roman liturgy, and published changes that resulted in the 1962 Roman Missal, the last typical edition containing the Tridentine Mass established in 1570 by Pope Pius V at the request of the Council of Trent and whose continued use Pope Benedict XVI authorized in 2007, under the conditions indicated in his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. In response to the directives of the Second Vatican Council, later editions of the Roman Missal present the 1970 form of the Roman Rite.

John XXIII continued the gradual reform of what?

the Roman liturgy

He published changes that resulted in what?

the 1962 Roman Missal

What did Pope Pius V establish in 1570?

the Tridentine Mass

Pope Benedict XVI authorized continued use of the Roman Missal in what year?

When was the Roman Rite created?

What did Pope Benedict XVI continue the gradual reform of?

I'm not sure.

What did the changes published by Pope Benedict XVI cause?

I'm not sure.

What did Pope John XXIII establish in 1570?

I'm not sure.

Why did Pope John XXIII establish the Tridentine Mass?

I'm not sure.

What did Pope Pius V continue to authorize the use of in 2007?

I'm not sure.