How did Eden deal with the 1956 Suez Crisis in Egypt?

Background to Suez Canal

What happened in 1919 + 1952?

· 1919: Revolution against B occupation.

· 1936 - Egypt became an independent. British troops stayed to protect the SC until 1956

· 1952: King Farouk was overthrown by a military coup led by Colonel Nasser. This causes anarchy = doesn’t take over Egypt democratically + has a militant attitude towards the B.

Background to Suez Canal

What happened in 1954?

· 1954: Anglo Egyptian Treaty

o British troops could return if the SC was threatened by an outside power (used as a loophole by the B to take back control).

Background to Suez Canal

Anthony Eden + The Suez Crisis

· Foreign Minister under Churchill = experienced politician in terms of foreign relations
· 1956 = becomes PM
· Determined to maintain B's influence in the world
· Believed Commonwealth = foundation of B power
· Confident Britain could still act independently in world affairs.
· Issues: USSR influence and growing Arab nationalism. Saw Nasser as the 'Arab Hitler'.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the causes of the Suez Canal Crisis in terms of the Arab League?

o 1947: B was fearful about communist Russia’s ambitions in the Middle East. When the B tried to negotiate with the nationalist Arab League to resist communism, the Arabs were unwilling to support B while it kept its troops in the SC Zone + controlled Sudan.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the causes of the Suez Canal Crisis in terms of the Baghdad Pact?

o 1955: B created the Baghdad Pact to repel any Soviet threat to the ME. However, Nassar refused to sign this agreement. Instead, turned to communist Czechoslovakia for arms + signed an alliance with Syria. Anthony Eden was alarmed

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the causes of the Suez Canal Crisis in terms of Nassar as President?

o 1956: Nassar made himself President of Egypt. He was determined to make Egypt as the leading power in the ME e.g. via the construction of the Aswan Dam. He obtained promises of funding from the West + Russia but in 1956 the USA announced that they were withdrawing their funding because of Nassar’s association w communism.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the causes of the Suez Canal Crisis in terms of the nationalisation of the SC company?

o 1956: Nassar announced the nationalisation of the SC company - blow to the B government (have 44% of shares in the company) + B's position in the M/E. The French were also outraged + invited B to join France in a joint assault on Egypt, w Israel.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the events of Suez Canal Crisis in terms of military discussions + the 'Protocol of Serves'

o Plan was created: 'the Protocol of Serves' - Israel would attack Egypt. The next day, F + B would demand that both sides cease fighting + withdraw troops from the canal area. Then B + F would invade the Canal Zone to 'defend' it

The Suez Canal Crisis

How did the Suez Canal Crisis turn out?

o The Israeli's defeated the Egyptian forces. B + F then intervened. An Anglo - French force knocked out the Egyptian Air Force but the Egyptians put a solid resistance + blocked the canal with sunken ships.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What was the international response to the Suez Canal Crisis?

o B miscalculated the international reaction. They had begun military operations w/out informing the USA, + the USA condemned the attack + refused to support sterling in the currency crisis
o B was isolated + announced a ceasefire within five days. Eden was forced to resign.

The Suez Canal Crisis

What were the consequences of the Suez Crisis in terms of how it influenced the government?

o B govt would never again act alone in international affairs w/out the approval of the USA.
o Destroyed the idea that B could restore itself as major power via imperialism.
o Made B task of containing the independence movements difficult as it showed nationalists movements that if they pushed harder, the B could be forced to surrender.
o Encouraged B politicians to agree to nationalist demands sooner rather than later