The history of modern political Egypt including major events
Modern History Timeline
Addtional notes
Major reasons why British colonized Egypt
- 1882 - British troops defeat Egyptian army and take control of country.
- 1914 - Egypt formally becomes a British protectorate.
- 1922 - Fuad I becomes King and Egypt gains independence, although British influence remains significant until mid-1950s.
- 1948 - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Syria attack the new state of Israel. Egyptian army's poor performance increases unpopularity of King Farouk.
- 1949 - Committee of the Free Officers' Movement formed to overthrow corrupt monarchy.
- 1952 January - At least 20 people are killed in anti-British riots in Cairo.
- 1952 July - Coup by the Free Officers' Movement. Farouk abdicates in favour of his infant son Ahmed Fuad II.
- 1953 June - Coup leader Muhammad Najib becomes president as Egypt is declared a republic.
- 1954 - Evacuation Treaty signed. British forces, who began a gradual withdrawal under 1936 treaty finally leave Egypt.1955 - Prime Minister Nasser reorients Egypt away from West towards neutrality, buys arms from Communist Czechoslovakia to re-equip army after Western powers refuse to do so on terms acceptable to Egypt.
- 1956 July - President Nasser nationalises the Suez Canal to fund the Aswan High Dam, after Britain and US withdraw financing.
- 1970 September - Nasser dies, having never recovered his leading role among Arab states after the 1967 defeat, and is succeeded by Vice-President, Anwar al-Sadat.
- 1977 October - President Sadat visits Israel, beginning process that leads to 1979 peace treaty, return of occupied Sinai Peninsula, and Egypt's suspension from Arab League until 1989. Egypt becomes major beneficiary of US financial aid.
- 1981 October - President Sadat assassinated by Islamist extremists month after clampdown on private press and opposition groups in wake of anti-government riots. Succeeded by Vice-President Hosni Mubarak.
- 2011 February - President Mubarak steps down and hands power to the army council.
- 2012 June - Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi narrowly wins presidential election.
Addtional notes
Major reasons why British colonized Egypt
- England had a war between another country, Egypt's armies would help the British to win. This would make the British sound more formidable and have a better reputation. It also would make them harder to defeat, making the British reign last longer.
- The British wanted to control the River Nile so they can choose where the route would go for the ships.
- Egypt is in debt to England after they borrowed a lot of money for their cotton industry.