Suez Canal - International Relations

Question 1

Why was Suez Canal important?

Answer 1

• Vital sea route by which Middle Eastern oil was transported to Europe and British forces reached Far Eastern bases
• British government has been majority shareholders in company running Suez since 1875
• 2/3rd of ships on canal were British. More than 2/3rds of oil supplied to western Europe passed through the Suez Canal

Question 2

What caused the Suez Canal?

Answer 2

1952 –> pro-British King of Egypt was overthrown

1954 –> Gamal Abdel Nasser proclaimed himself president of Egypt. He negotiated the withdrawal of British troops from remaining bases

December 1955 –> British and American governments agreed to lend Egypt money to build a large dam. Had second thoughts quickly as he did not follow pro-western policies

July 1956 –> offer of the loan was withdrawn. Nasser responded by taking control of Anglo-French company that ran Suez Canal

Question 3

Where did Nasser get aid?

Answer 3

USSR

But he was not communist (he was Egyptian nationalist)

Question 4

What did Eden believe about the Suez Canal?

Answer 4

• First step in a plan to establish Egyptian domination of Middle East
• Nasser would allow the USSR to extend its influence in the region
• US accepted that continued British influence in the Middle East, essential to preventing the area falling under Soviet control
• 2/3rd of ships on canal were British. More than 2/3rds of oil supplied to western Europe passed through the Suez Canal

Question 5

Why did France dislike Nasser?

Answer 5

• He was assisting rebels fighting to end French colonial rule in Algeria

Question 6

When did French and British soldiers attack Egypt?

Answer 6

• late October and early November

Question 7

How did Nasser respond to French and British invasion?

Answer 7

• Sank ships in canal, preventing its use

Question 8

What was President Eisenhower’s response?

Answer 8

• Had not be consulted about attack.
• Insisted on withdrawing forces

Question 9

When did Eden resign out of humiliation?

Answer 9

January 1957

Question 10

Why was Britain consequently isolated?

Answer 10

• Nasser’s action was not illegal
• British Cabinet recognised that ‘his action amounted to no more than a decision to buy out the shareholders’
• USSR condemned the invasion as imperialist
• US wanted to see the crisis resolved peacefully –> Eisenhower furious about invasion, as he repeatedly made it clear that he opposed the use of force.
• Eisenhower felt deceived by the collusion between Britain, France and Israel.
• Invasion coincided with the USSR’s invasion of Hungary to crush the efforts at reform there and the Suez invasion made it difficult for him to condemn the USSR.