VOLUME LVIII – Number 4

Nadeen Shrebati

Abstract: Pan-Arab nationalism was a growing, formidable movement throughout the 20th century. In 1956 Egyptians nationalized the Suez Canal, a vital resource for trade that had previously been held in the hands of private Western corporations. This move prompted a failed tripartite invasion. Many Egyptians believed that nationalizing the Suez could be the pathway to a future free from colonial subjugation. This paper investigates how Egyptian nationalism was able give the Egyptian people a language to voice their grievance yet did not result in meaningful material change for the working class. Gamal Abdel Nasser promised his people Arab socialism, yet maintained their class hierarchies. This investigation concludes that Nasser’s nationalism was fundamentally disconnected from class struggle and lacked rigorous socialist praxis, which is why it ultimately failed to deliver a lasting justice to the Egyptian people. The nationalism popularized by Nasser allowed Egyptian to reclaim a canal but not their dignity.

Key Words: Suez Crisis, Suez Canal, Arab Nationalism, Egyptian Nationalism, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Free Officer’s, sovereignty, decolonial Marxism.

About the Author: Nadeen Shrebati is a graduate of Towson University with an BS in Political Science and Philosophy. A first generation Australian, her parents are both immigrants from Egypt and Syria, respectively. This perspective informs her work and interest in decolonial movements. As a lifelong competitive tennis player, Nadeen was able to attend University in the United States to pursue her athletic capabilities.

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