Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
International history, 1945–92
👑Complete Model Essay
Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Nasser: Popular Failure?
Gamal Abdel Nasser's legacy in the Arab-Israeli conflict remains a subject of debate. While some argue his charisma and defiance of the West cemented his status as a champion of Arab nationalism, others contend that his military failures ultimately overshadowed his achievements. This essay will assess the view that Nasser was a "popular failure" in his handling of the conflict.
Nasser's Popularity: The Rise of Arab Nationalism
Nasser's appeal stemmed from his ability to embody the aspirations of a post-colonial Arab world. His overthrow of King Farouk in 1952, seen as a puppet of Western imperialism, resonated deeply with a population yearning for self-determination. His subsequent nationalization of the Suez Canal in 1956, despite Anglo-French military intervention, further solidified his image as a courageous leader willing to stand up to the West. This act, a direct challenge to Western dominance, catapulted Nasser into the role of pan-Arab hero. His popularity transcended national borders, inspiring a wave of Arab nationalism and solidifying his leadership in the region.
Nasser's commitment to the Palestinian cause further fueled his popularity. By championing the rights of Palestinian refugees and supporting the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, he positioned himself as a defender of the dispossessed. His unwavering rhetoric against Israel, promising its eventual destruction, resonated with a population angered by the Jewish state's displacement of Palestinians. This stance resonated even with those who were not necessarily supportive of his socialist economic policies, demonstrating the unifying power of the Palestinian issue.
Nasser's Failures: The Shadow of Military Defeat
However, Nasser's triumphs were often overshadowed by his military miscalculations. The 1956 Suez Crisis, while a political victory, exposed the limitations of the Egyptian military. Similarly, the disastrous Six-Day War in 1967, where Israel decisively defeated Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, dealt a severe blow to Nasser's image as a strategic leader. The humiliating loss of the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip, territories Nasser had pledged to liberate, eroded his credibility and highlighted the gap between rhetoric and reality.
Critics argue that Nasser's tendency towards brinkmanship and his reliance on Soviet support ultimately backfired. The 1967 war, triggered by Nasser's closure of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping and his massing of troops on the Sinai border, is cited as a prime example of his reckless decision-making. His acceptance of false Soviet intelligence reports about Israeli troop movements further highlights his susceptibility to misinformation and his eagerness to escalate tensions. While Nasser's supporters argue that he was misled by the Soviets, his misjudgment had catastrophic consequences for Egypt and the broader Arab world.
Conclusion
Assessing Nasser's legacy requires a nuanced approach. He was undoubtedly a charismatic figure who galvanized the Arab world and successfully challenged Western hegemony. His championing of Arab nationalism and the Palestinian cause resonated deeply with a population eager for dignity and self-determination. However, his military setbacks, particularly the devastating defeat in 1967, cast a long shadow over his achievements. These failures, coupled with his often-reckless brinkmanship, support the view that Nasser's handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict was ultimately a "popular failure." While his popularity remained intact until his death in 1970, the legacy of military defeat and the unrealized dream of Palestinian liberation continued to haunt the Arab world long after his passing.
Sources:
⭐Brown, N. (2004). The Arab-Israeli Conflict. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
⭐Dokos, A. (2006). Arab Nationalism in the Twentieth Century: From Triumph to Despair. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
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Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1. Introduction
Briefly introduce Gamal Abdel Nasser, his rise to power, and his ambition to champion Arab nationalism. Define "popular failure" and state your argument - was he a popular figure despite military failures, or did his popularity wane due to those failures?
2. Nasser's Early Popularity & The Suez Crisis
- 1948 War Defeat & Rise of Nasser: Explain how the 1948 war defeat fueled Arab nationalism and propelled Nasser to leadership.
- Suez Crisis as Turning Point: Analyze Nasser's actions leading to the Suez Crisis (nationalization, arms deals). Argue how this cemented his image as a hero despite Western opposition, solidifying his pan-Arab leadership.
3. The Road to 1967: Heightened Tensions & Miscalculations
- Growing Arab Unity (Late 1950s): Highlight the formation of the UAR, Arab Solidarity Treaty, and Nasser's role in promoting Palestinian resistance. Show how this sustained his popularity.
- 1967 War Buildup: Detail the events leading to the war - Jordan River dispute, PLO formation, Soviet misinformation, Nasser's brinkmanship, and the closure of the Straits of Tiran. Analyze if these were miscalculations driven by a desire to maintain his image.
4. The 1967 War and its Aftermath
- The Defeat and its Impact: Briefly explain the war's outcome. Discuss if the defeat tarnished his image or if he was able to deflect blame onto other factors.
- Sustained Popularity Until Death: Provide evidence of his continued popularity despite the 1967 defeat. Explain why people still supported him - focus on his rhetoric, commitment to pan-Arabism, and unwavering support for Palestine.
5. Conclusion
Summarize your argument, re-stating whether Nasser was ultimately a "popular failure" in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Acknowledge the complexity of his legacy - a charismatic leader who inspired Arab unity but whose ambition might have contributed to military setbacks.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Assess the view that Nasser was a ‘popular failure’ in his handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The Arab defeat in the 1948‒49 War spurred Nasser and other army officers to overthrow King Farouk in 1952. By 1954, Nasser was the President of Egypt. Nasser was determined to be the champion of Arab nationalism by defying the West and making it a unifying movement. The Israelis were angry because Egypt had been encouraging Palestinian raids into Israel; they wanted to show Nasser as militarily weak. In February 1955, Israeli troops destroyed the Egyptian army headquarters in Gaza killing 35 soldiers. However, far from humiliating Nasser, it spurred him on to arm and train fedayeen guerrillas to conduct attacks in Israel.
He also struck an arms deal with Czechoslovakia which led to the Suez Crisis. Britain and the United States withdrew their loan for the building of the Aswan Dam and in retaliation, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal Company in July 1956 with the intention of using the profits to build the dam.
On 29 October 1956, Israel invaded Egypt and on the following day Britain and France requested that they cease fighting otherwise they would use force. The Israelis agreed but the Egyptians refused. The US condemned the action of Britain and France, and on 6 November the UN ordered them to withdraw. Nasser was regarded as a hero in the Arab world; he had gained complete control of the Suez Canal. Nasser had emerged as a popular leader and the Arab states became even more anti-western. In 1957, a Treaty of Arab Solidarity was signed by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Nasser’s charismatic leadership promoted the rising tide of Arab nationalism. In 1958, Syria and Egypt formed the United Arab Republic; it only lasted for three years but Nasser’s popularity remained strong.
In 1963, Nasser saw a new threat from Israel when the Israelis were in the process of completing a project to divert 75% of the water from the River Jordan to Israel. Nasser regarded this as an act of aggression to the whole Arab world. He called for a conference of Arab leaders resulting in the formation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964. Nasser then denounced a speech by the Tunisian President suggesting that Arab states recognize Israel along the lines of the 1947 United Nations Palestine partition plan. He insisted that the only solution was to use force to liberate Palestine. Raids against Israel were encouraged.
Through a series of miscalculations, he goaded Israel to launch a pre-emptive air strike on Egypt on the morning of June 5, 1967. In November 1966, he had signed a defence agreement with Syria and tension was high on the Israeli–Syrian border because of the raids. On 13 May, the Soviet Union warned the Egyptian government that the Israelis were moving armed forces to the border with Syria which was untrue. Nasser knew this was untrue but he wanted to show that he was the leader of the Arab world and he embarked on a policy of brinkmanship with Israel which included closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping. The Israelis’ response was to launch a pre-emptive attack which resulted in defeat for the Arabs.
Despite his defeat, Nasser was able to retain his popularity in the Arab World until his death in 1970 by emphasizing his commitment to pan-Arabism, his firm belief in Palestinian rights, and the eventual destruction of Israel. His failure to realize his aim of destroying Israel did not destroy the support of the people.