King Farouk with his wife and child

Young army officers, disgusted by widespread corruption in Egypt, staged a revolt against King Farouk. The revolt was led by General Mohammed Neguib and Colonel Gamal Abdul Nasser. Neguib became leader of Egypt. He remained in control until 1954 when Nasser— the real power behind the revolt— took power.

In the early 20th century, Egypt was a nation riddled with corruption, socio-economic disparities, and political inefficacy under King Farouk. Discontent brewed among the masses, particularly the military, fostering an environment ripe for revolution. In this charged atmosphere, young army officers, galvanized by the rampant corruption, staged a revolt against King Farouk in 1952. The revolt, famously known as the Egyptian Revolution, marked a significant turning point in the country's political history.

At the helm of this revolt were two notable figures: General Mohammed Neguib and Colonel Gamal Abdul Nasser. Neguib, an older and well-respected military officer, and Nasser, a young, charismatic leader with fervent nationalistic ambitions, formed an unlikely alliance in pursuit of a shared objective: to dismantle Farouk's corrupt regime and establish a progressive Egyptian state.

The Free Officers, a covert group established by Nasser, played a crucial role in executing the revolution. They were a group of junior army officers who shared a common dissatisfaction with the monarchy. As the older, more experienced figure, Neguib was positioned as the face of the Free Officers, providing a sense of credibility and security to their cause. However, the real driving force behind this group was undoubtedly Nasser, who masterminded the strategy and groundwork for the revolt.

The revolution was swift and relatively bloodless. King Farouk, faced with overwhelming opposition, was forced to abdicate in favor of his infant son, marking the end of the 150-year-old Muhammad Ali Dynasty. Consequently, Neguib assumed the role of the country's leader, becoming the first President of Egypt. His period of leadership, however, was short-lived.

Despite his role as a figurehead, Neguib's political ideology diverged considerably from the more radical views of Nasser and the Free Officers. As Neguib adopted a moderate, inclusive approach towards governing, aiming to incorporate various political entities in the decision-making process, Nasser and his cohorts preferred a more revolutionary path, sidelining opposition and envisaging a radical socio-political overhaul.

Tensions between Neguib and the Free Officers escalated, culminating in the Crisis of 1954. This crisis was a power struggle triggered by differences in their political ideologies and the perception that Neguib was seeking to undermine the revolutionary principles that they stood for. As Nasser grew more influential, he managed to mobilize support from both the military and the public, eventually leading to Neguib's forced resignation in November 1954. Nasser, the real power behind the revolt, now emerged from behind the scenes, assuming control and taking the reins of the nation.

Under Nasser's leadership, Egypt underwent significant transformations. The country embarked on a path of pan-Arab nationalism, socialist reforms, and non-alignment in foreign affairs, making Nasser a consequential figure not only in Egypt but also in the wider Arab world and the global stage.

The 1952 revolution, hence, marked a pivotal juncture in Egypt's modern history, ushering in a new era of military rule that would continue for several decades. The revolt led by young army officers against King Farouk’s corrupt regime, initially fronted by Neguib and later dominated by Nasser, set a precedent that reshaped Egypt’s socio-political landscape. The events that unfolded during this period significantly influenced the course of Egypt's political narrative, leaving an indelible imprint on its history.