Nasser's Role Flashcards
Who owned and operated the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal was owned and operated by a company controlled by British and French shareholders.
Under Nasser what kind of country was Egypt?
An independent country.
When in power, Nasser did many things that irritated the British, French and Americans. Give some examples.
He made it clear that he was in favour of liberating Palestine from the Jews.
He organised guerrilla fighters called the fedayeen( self sacrificers) to carry out sabotage and murder inside Israel.
He had Egyptian ships to block the Gulf of Aqaba leading to the port of Eliat which the Israelites had taken from Egypt in 1949.
Give more examples of what Nasser did that the British disliked.
He advocated( publicly supported) Arab independence.
He reminded the British that the agreement allowing Britain to keep soldiers at the Suez Canal expired in 1956.
He refused to renew the treaty and insisted that all British troops withdraw immediately.
Give more examples of what Nasser did which Britain, France and America disliked.
He redistributed land in Egypt and made plans to industrialize the country.
He began building the Aswan dam on the Nile river.
He extended arable lands and helped industrialize Egypt. In order to do this, Nasser had to negotiate promises from the USA, Britain and the world bank to get money to fund the Aswan dam.
In September 1955, what did Nasser do that angered the Americans?
He began buying Russian fighter aircrafts, bombers and tanks from Czechoslovakia. Russian military experts were also sent in to train the Egyptian army.
Who was Dwight Eisenhower?
He was the president of the USA.
Why was president Eisenhower concerned about the close relationship developing between Egypt and Russia?
He was concerned as the West no longer controlled arm supplies to Egypt. Any country which was not part of the Western Alliance and which bought arms from Eastern Europe was in America’s eyes just as bad as a communist country.
What happened in July 1956?
The Americans cancelled a promised $46 million towards the building of the Aswan dam.
What was the intention of the Americans by doing this?
The Americans intentions were to force Nasser to abandon his relationship and links with the communists.
How did Nasser feel and how did he retaliate to America and the world bank not loaning him the money?
Nasser was furious and retaliated that on the 26th of July 1956, he intended on nationalizing the Suez Canal.
What were the share owners, who were mostly British and French promised?
They were promised compensation.
What did Nasser argue?(1956)
He argued that the revenues from the Suez Canal would help finance the Aswan dam.
