Egypt and Suez Crisis

Question 1

What was the background to the Suez Crisis

Answer 1

• 1947: the British were fearful of Russian ambitions in the Middle East.
  -> still had 10,000 troops in the Suez Canal.
• tried negotiating with the nationalist Arab League to resist communist infiltration -> unwilling to support Britain while Britain maintained Suez garrisons and controlled the Sudan.
• 1951: King Farouk of Egypt renounced 1936 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty and proclaimed self the King of Sudan.
  -> Farouk overthrown in the military coup by a group of army officers led by Colonel Nasser.

Question 2

How did Britain initially try to resolve problems in Egypt

Answer 2

• Anthony Eden negotiated with Egypt’s new rulers and in 1953 agreement made on stages towards Sudanese independence.
  -> 1954: agreed to a British phased withdrawal of troops from Suez Canal Zone.
• In return, Egyptians promise:
  -> free access through the Suez Canal.
  -> maintenance of former British bases in an operational condition.
  -> respect the independence of the Suez Canal Company.
• Abdel Nasser refused to sign -> feared this threatened Egyptian independence.

Question 3

What decision did Nasser make which angered the British (short-term cause of the Crisis)

Answer 3

• June 1956 -> Nasser made himself the president -> plans for construction of Aswan High Dam which was the core of a programme for irrigation, flood control.
  -> July 1956, USA announce the withdrawal of funding because go Nasser’s involvement with Communist powers.

Question 4

List the key events of the Suez Crisis

Answer 4

• 16 July 1956, Nasser announces nationalism of the Suez Canal Company.
  -> blow to the British who held 44% of shares.
• British join French in alliance with Israel.
• Secret Anglo-French military discussions took place -> Eden believed removal of Nasser would ensure interests in the Middle East.
• 1956: Eden proclaimed emotional/irrational outburst wanting Nasser destroyed -> saw him as another Hitler.
• ‘Protocol of Sevres’.
  -> this fails

Question 5

What was the Protocol of Sevres

Answer 5

• Israel attack on 29 Oct 1956 -> followed by Franco-British invasion of the Canal Zone of 31 oct to ‘defend’ the Suez Canal.
  -> fails -> Anglo-French force knock out the Egyptian Air Force and land at the north of the canal but Egyptians resist and block the canal with sunken ships.

Question 6

What was the impact of the Protocol of Sevres

Answer 6

• British miscalculate the international reaction.
• US condemn the attack and refuse to support the sterling in the currency which war bought upon Britain.
• Isolated, Britain announces a ceasefire within 5 days.
• Eden was forced to resign on 9 Jan 1957 and the United Nations force moves in to restore peace.

Question 7

what were the consequences of the Suez Crisis

Answer 7

• didn’t end belief as ‘world power’ -> but realisation that the days of Empire were numbered.
• Britain would never act alone in imperial or international affairs without close consultation with the USA.
• Encouraged other nationalist movements to push harder.
  -> made desire to contain independence movements more difficult.
• dispelled notion Britain could ‘manage’ and control its retreat from the Empire in ways that would preserve British power intact.

Question 8

what was international opinion on the Suez Crisis

Answer 8

• USA condemn -> Eisenhower -> ‘would be disastrous to the prosperity of every nation’.
  -> risks economy of every nation that depends on ‘East-West shipping’.
• Indian president Nehru was especially severe.