Along with Muhammad Naguib , the first President , he led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 which overthrew the monarchy of Egypt and Sudan , and brought in a new period of change in Egypt . This change made Egypt a more socialist and modern country , as well as pushing forward pan-Arab nationalism through his policies , including a union with Syria that did not last very long . Along with Muhammad Naguib , the first president , he led the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 which overthrew the monarchy of Egypt and Sudan , and heralded a new period of modernization , and socialist reform in Egypt together with a profound advancement of pan-Arab nationalism , including a short-lived union with Syria .