General Muhammad Naguib played a pivotal role in the Free Officers Movement, a group formed in the 1940s by young military officers, primarily under the influence of Gamal Abdel Nasser. As Egypt faced significant socio-political issues, including widespread discontent with King Farouk's rule characterized by corruption, poverty, and foreign influence, the movement attracted growing support among the populace and military circles. On July 23, 1952, Naguib and other military leaders launched a well-coordinated coup that swiftly dismantled the royal government. They seized the king's palace and key government buildings in Cairo, effectively catching the regime off guard.

The coup was marked by minimal violence, reflecting the strategic planning by the Free Officers. As the news spread, public sentiment largely favored the coup due to the disappointing governance of King Farouk, further fueling the movement's momentum. Soon after the coup, King Farouk was compelled to abdicate, ultimately leading to his exile. Naguib emerged as the face of the new government and became the first President of the newly declared Republic of Egypt, representing a significant shift in the political landscape. The rise of the Free Officers initiated a series of reforms and new political ideologies that emphasized Arab nationalism and socialism, with Nasser gradually becoming the leading figure in Egyptian politics.

The establishment of a republic marked a pivotal moment not just in Egypt but throughout the Arab world, inspiring similar movements against monarchies and colonial powers across the region. The ideological underpinnings of the Free Officers continued to influence Egyptian policy and society, setting the stage for subsequent conflicts and political transformations in the latter half of the 20th century.