Egypt

             Upon analyzing the evolution of Egyptian society from the early colonial period to the present day, one is exposed to the validity of the significance of outside forces on the latter evolution. At the turn of the twentieth century, political dominance and relevance in regards to individual nation states was measured in terms of imperial possession and the ability of one country to exert direct influence upon another. For a number of reasons which included a coveted route to India, the prevalence of petroleum in that region of the world, as well as the desire to exert and influence power, all coupled with Egypt's reputation as the mother of the Arab world and the center of education and commerce, Egypt was put in high priority. It was a country coveted by both France and Britain, the dominant imperial powers at the time and so both pursued it with a vengeance. It was the competition amongst and the eventual implementation of imperial policies that perpetuated an anti-western sentiment that would manifest itself in continuous revolt, revolution, and instability in the century to come. Thus, the characterization of Egyptian history within the 20th century in all its relevance can be categorized into four respective era's which include the beginning stages of the colonial period, the foundations of the anti-colonial period, the Nasser era, and the post Nasser era.
             In the year 1799, Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte landed on the shores of Alexandria, Egypt and attempted the first direct colonization of Egypt as we defy it in modern terms. However, due to fierce fighting which many attribute to the incentive drawn from a proud and influential history, Napoleon and his forces were driven out only three years later in 1802 by the Egyptians. Despite what most people characterize as an insignificant period of time spent in Egypt, this event is arguably one of the most influential scenarios to have ever evolved in the eastern world, especially in regards to the significance of colonialism.