Fifty-nine years separated the two revolutions that managed to change Egyptian life, politics and society. Today Egyptians commemorate the memory of the first revolution, the July 23, 1952 Revolution that turned Egypt's monarchy into a republican regime even as the second revolution, the January 25 Revolution that overthrew former President Hosni Mubarak and his regime, continues on the streets of Egypt. Although it is too early to assess the repercussions of the January 25 uprisings that began only six months ago, there are preliminary indications that can be used to draw a comparison between the two revolutions. July 23 Revolution The Reasons: - Egypt's King Farouk strongly depended on minority parties while ignoring the majority of the people - The military defeat of the Egyptian Army in the 1948 Palestinian war - Not obtaining a UN Security Council resolution to end Britain's imperialism in Egypt - Reduction in the size of the Egyptian army after British protection was imposed on Egypt - Closing Egypt's military schools - Deteriorating economic conditions - Absence of social justice and the spread of injustice Trials - Kareem Sabet, the king's press advisor: He was accused of inciting foreign authorities against the interests of the country and of corrupting Egypt's political life - Antoine Poly, close friend of the deposed king: He was accused of committing crimes against morality - Ibrahim Abdel-Hady, former prime minister: Condemned for pushing Egypt's army into Palestine's war without preparation Political Parties - Issuing of a law to dissolve Egypt's political parties - Establishing the National Union, which turned into the Socialist Union, to rule the country - Restoration of the multi-party system in 1977 - Establishing the ruling National Democratic Party in 1978 Achievements - Forcing Egypt's King Farouk to abdicate the throne - Turning the country into a republican regime - Nationalizing the Suez Canal - Securing Egyptian industry and trade - Supporting the Arab revolutions - Forming the Non-Aligned Movement - Eliminating Feudalism Principles of the Revolution - Eradicating feudalism - Eradicating colonization - Establishing a democratic regime - Establishing a strong national army - Achieving social justice - Ending the capital's control of power The January 25 Revolution The Reasons - Continued ‘State of Emergency' - Torturing citizens in police stations - Plans to implement inheritance of the presidency - Deterioration of Egypt's political, economic and social state - Spread of corruption - Exporting Egyptian gas to Israel Trials - Ahmed Ezz: Faces accusations of obtaining illicit gains and corruption trimes - Safwat al-Sherif: accused of gaining wealth illegally - Fathy Sorour: accused of participating in the killing of peaceful demonstrators during the ‘Battle of the Camels' - Ahmed Nazif: accused of corruption crimes - Anas al-Fiqi: accused of corruption crimes, illicit gains - Zakarya Azmi: accused of involvement in corruption crimes, achieving illicit wealth Political Parties - Establishment of the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Freedom and Justice Party- Establishment of al-Nour, the first Salafi party - Establishment of the Free Egyptians liberal party - Establishment of the Reform and Development Party - Dissolving of the formerly ruling National Democratic Party Achievements: - Forcing former President Hosni Mubarak to resign - Putting an end to plans of inheriting the presidency - Dissolving the Egyptian parliament - Investigating corruption crimes committed under the former regime - Amending the articles of the 1971 Constitution related to elections, presidential authority and number of terms - Prosecuting senior officials of the former regime - Dissolving the State Security Investigation - Preparing for parliamentary and presidential elections Principles of the revolution: - Departure of Mubarak and the ruling regime - Dissolving parliament and the local councils - Ensuring free and fair elections - Writing a new constitution to replace the old one - Cancelling the State of Emergency and other laws which impede freedom - Prosecuting those who corrupted Egyptian life, particularly Mubarak and his family
