Eden 1955-57 Flashcards
What were the main causes of his resignation?
Lack of understanding of party politics and suez
What was the Suez crisis?
1956 Egypt took over the Suez Canal,Egyptian leader Nasser had been making deals with the US and USSR. Egypt nationalized Suez Canal, many countries wanted to control it themselevs so they attacked, UN forced Britian to leave.It showed how weak the UK were and strained the “special relationship”
Reason for Suez
- Canal has been owned by company controlled by France/Britain.
- They (with Israel) responded to its nationalisation by attacking Egypt, in order to get rid of the Arab leader, Nassar and maintain control of the region
- It was a short route for Britain to its Empire and (80%) imports were passed through the canal). In 1956, Israel attacked Egypt whilst France/Britain bombed it.
How much oil for Western Europe went through suez?
80%
How did America respond to suez?
Serious financial pressure
What mistake did Eden make in his cabinet?
Anxious to make decisions,too nice to the trade unions,tried to move Macmillan from foreign office to the treasury in 1955 which Macmillan delayed for months
What newspaper grilled Eden and why?
The Manchester guardian showed he lied to the House of Commons about suez
What did his cabinet do to protest?
Rebellion of nearly 40 conservative MPs and Anthony nutting resigned
Consequences of Suez
- Political: Eden stepped down as PM - forced to by his own party, but the public were told that it was due to his health, he was humiliated
- Economy: Fall in Britains currency reserves / US threatened to stop giving loans to Britain
- Society: 30,000 people marched on Trafalgar in protest, not everyone was against the Suez crisis but not many were in support of it
- International: Failure of British foreign policy. US furious they weren’t consulted. Withdraws from investors and in doing this, they acted independently from NATO
