Eden 1955-57 Flashcards
What year was the Suez Crisis?
1956
- Who was Eden’s foreign secretary?
- ” “ Chancellor?
- ” “ defence secretary?
- Harold Macmillan
- R. A. Butler
- Selwyn Lloyd
What were the election results in 1955? re. seats and polling?
The Tories polled 49.7% and won 344 seats. Labour polled 46.4% of the vote and won 295 seats. Eden increased the Tory majority from 17 to 60 which was a solid majority and against the trend for incumbent governments.
What were some of Eden’s strengths?
He was an effective speaker and had good diplomatic links with world leaders after his time as Foreign Affairs secretary. He helped formed the League of Nations agreements.
What were some of Eden’s weaknesses?
He knew little of domestic issues, i.e economy where Butler had dominated influence.
He had a bad temper and racist distain for Arabs - hence his hate toward Nasser
Why was the Suez Canal an important asset to Britain?
Britain used it to transport goods - 2/3 of British oil and 1/4 of imports was transported along Suez canal and without it would have to re-route to south of Africa.
Give an overview of Suez.
Nasser - the socialist Egyptian president was seen as a threat to British interest in the Middle East and France and Britain distrusted him. Eden wanted Nasser murdered and was quoted saying so. Britain made a secret agreement that Israel would invade Egypt and France and Britain would follow, entering as peacemakers to retain ties, meaning Eden went behind Eisenhower’s back on Suez crisis and it cost Britain it’s good relations with US.
What did Suez crisis demonstrate about Britain’s power in the world?
Britain was no longer capable of mounting a solo imperial adventure and relied greatly on US input.
In what way did public support increase in spite of the Suez crisis?
Eden's long-term health problems could be blamed for his resignation, not Suez, with Britain's involvement receiving strong support in parts of the country. There was no swing to Labour who were seen by some working class families as unpatriotic. At the height of the crisis 52% of British people still supported intervention.
In what way did the Suez crisis weaken Britain’s standing in global politics?
The crisis ensured that, in future, there would be no British military involvement in foreign affairs without the support of the US - a very embarrassing revelation.
The Suez disaster shattered Eden’s standing in Britain and abroad, reflecting badly on the Conservative Party in foreign affairs as Eden had supposedly been an expert after being in office for many years.
In what year did Eden host USSR’s new leader Khrushchev and their foreign secretary Bulganin? What made the meeting difficult?
1956, the disappearance of a military diver, Commander Crabb ( involved in espionage) in Portsmouth Harbour where the Russian vessel was in port intensified the meeting.
What year was ‘Pots and Pans’ budget, who implemented it and what did it do?
1955, by R.A. Butler. It decreased income and purchase taxes to try win the election even though Butler knew inflation and a balance of payments crisis would follow, he was forced to reverse the policy after election and increase tax on household items.
What date did Eden’s government decided to refuse an invitation to join 6 nations (France, West Germany, Holland, Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg) in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community?
June 1955
During Suez, what date did Anglo-French troops invade retake control of the Canal and Port Said?
31st October and a cease-fire was called on 6th November.
What date did Eden resign?
10th January 1957.
