Napoleon Bonaparte's campaign and the process of nation-building in Egypt

Abstract

Napoleon Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign ( 1798-1801) was of paramount importance to the Arab peoples. The lasting consequences of this event began to become immediately apparent, its historical dimensions, instead of fading away, gaining more and more convincing confirmation with time. The three years of French military, political and cultural presence were the beginning and the origin of societal processes, changes and manifestations that have continued for two centuries. A new stage in the history of the Arab world has begun: the era of European colonial invasion and domination and the unfolding national liberation movement.