Great Powers involement

Question 1

Why is the Suez Canal vital for Britain? (3)

Answer 1

• 2/3 of total fuel supplies of Western Europe go through the canal
• 15,000 ships a year pass through the canal
• UK oil supplies only last 6 weeks without Canal

Question 2

Eden says what about the Canal + oil supplies?

Answer 2

‘that oil supplies were so vital that Britain would fight for them’

Question 3

What does the UK have due to the Suez Canal’s importance and what does this represent?

Answer 3

The UK has 70,000 troops stationed by Canal = British imperialism

Question 4

What do Egypt believe about these troops?

Answer 4

Egypt = truly independent when these troops leave

Question 5

What does Eden say about Nasser nationalising the canal?

Answer 5

Eden determined to not let Nasser ‘have his thumb on our windpipe’

Question 6

What do France describe Nasser as?

Answer 6

‘Hitler on the Nile’

Question 7

Why else do France + Nasser not get on?

Answer 7

Nasser was a supporter of the Algerian independence movement

Question 8

How do Britain and France respond to Nasser’s nationalisation announcement?

Answer 8

France + Britain remove their pilots

Question 9

When do Britain/France/Israel meet?

Answer 9

24 October

Question 10

What is Israels aims? (3)

Answer 10

• end the border raids from Gaza
• force Egypt to recognize Israel
• break the Egyptian blockade of the Tiran Straits → prevented access to the port of Eilat

Question 11

what worried Israel? (2)

Answer 11

• Egypt’s increasing military strength

- unified command of Egypt/Syria/Jordans

Question 12

What was the plan? (6)

Answer 12

1. Israel would attack Egypt
2. Britain and France would intervene to ‘separate the belligerents,’
3. Britain and France would call for them to withdraw from the Canal area
4. Israel would agree whilst Egypt would refuse
5. Britain and France could then occupy the canal
6. Nasser would be discredited and fall from power