Egypt in the 1940s was a country in transition, with a complex political and social landscape shaped by events both within the country and around the world.
In 1942, Egypt found itself at the center of the Allied war effort in North Africa during World War II. British troops had been stationed in the country since the 1800s. Their presence increased significantly during the war as they worked to protect the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. This increased British military
presence and influence led to growing tensions between the Egyptian government and the British-backed monarchy.
Meanwhile, a growing nationalistic movement took hold in Egypt as Egyptians sought greater independence and a more significant say in their own affairs. This movement was fueled by several factors, including the country’s increasing urbanization, growing education and literacy rates, and the increasing influence of pan-Arabism and the Islamic political movement.
In 1942, King Farouk of Egypt appointed Nahas Pasha as Prime Minister. Nahas sought to negotiate a new treaty with the British that would grant Egypt more independence and a greater say in its own affairs, but these negotiations were unsuccessful. In 1952, a group of young military officers known as the Free Officers staged a coup against the monarchy, toppling King Farouk and establishing the Republic of Egypt.
The 1940s was also a time of significant cultural and intellectual ferment in Egypt. The country was home to a thriving artistic and intellectual scene and was home to some of the leading voices of Arab nationalism, including the philosopher and cultural critic Taha Hussein and the poet Constantine Zureiq.