the UAR 1958-61

• why was nasser not keen on this union?

  Syria had no common border.

  Syria had completely different political and economic systems.
• why were the Syrians keen on union with Egypt?

  they felt vulnerable, with their small population of 4 million and would feel more secure with egypt's 26 million.
• what were the conditions laid down by Nasser?

  That the political and economic systems would merge with Egypts

  
  

  Close down their political parties to become one-party system.

  
  

  major industries and banks under state control
• when was the start of the UAR?

  February 1958
• what was the impact of the Cold War on Syria?

  Nasser told the US that he was the best person to avert the prospect of communist domination in Syria.

  Syria had refused an alliance with the west through its rejection of the Baghdad Pact.

  There was a danger of the communist party in Syria achieving a stronger position, making syria more open to soviet influence.
• what internal divisions were there within Syria?

  Nasser stated concerns about the potential of civil war in Syria- destabilising the Middle East.

  The ba'ath and communist party were becoming more important in Syrian political affairs.
• what were Syrian military and ba'ath leaders under the illusion of when the UAR evolved?

  that they would exercise predominant influence in Syria
• how did Nasser see the union regarding his interests as an Arab world leader?

  he would advance
• How did Nasser see this union regarding the great powers?

  as a clear message about Egypt's power and his ability to circumnavigate the cold war- positive neutralism
• how did politics lead to the end of the UAR?

  the new Iraqi government put its own interests first and rejected the union.

  Nasser imposed the Egyptian political system- making Syria feel inferior in the union.

  the army and government was dominated by Egyptians.
• how did the landowners end the UAR?

  they disliked Nasser's Arab socialism, e.g. the Egyptians insisted on Syria carrying out land reforms, breaking up big estates and handing them out to peasants.

  Agrarian Reform Law 1958 brought much opposition.

  Syria's agricultural economy suffered e consecutive droughts 1957-60.

  per capita, income declined to 1/5th
• how did businessmen/industrialists end the UAR?

  Egypt imposed their socialist principles on merchants and businessmen's activity.

  
  

  major industries and banks were given to state control.

  
  

  Attempts to impose state control of the economy was met with resistance from middle and upper class.
• how did the army end the UAR?

  September 1961, Syrian army officers carried out a coup against those who humiliated and degraded her army.

  A new government was then formed from conservative Syrian politicians.

  Syrian army suffered from wounded pride.