Responses to crises in the Middle East Flashcards
Give 2 crises’ in the Middle East under Eisenhower
1) Suez Crisis
2) Recognition of Israel as a state
When did the Suez canal open ?
1869
Which two countries financed the construction of the Suez canal ?
1) France
2) Egyptian government
How long had France and the Egyptian government financed the construction of the Suez canal for ?
10 years (1859 - 1869)
What sea and ocean did the Suez canal connect ?
the Mediterranean sea and Indian ocean
Why was the Suez canal important for trade ?
It is considered to be the shortest link between the East and West.
Before the Suez canal, what continent would ships have to travel around in order to get to the same point ?
Africa
Why, in 1875, did Egypt have to sell their shares of the Suez canal to the British government ?
This is because of debt from the construction
From 1882, Britain took de ______ control of Egypt.
Facto (effectively colonised)
Who was the Egyptian President at the time of the Suez crisis (1956)
Abdel Nasser
What did Egyptian President, Nasser, do in July 1956 that led to the Suez crisis ?
He nationalised the Suez canal despite previously selling shares of the canal to the British government in 1875.
What did President Nasser intend to do with the money earned from the nationalisation of the Suez canal in July 1956 ?
raise money for a dam in Egypt
How did Britain and France respond to Egyptian President, Abdel Nasser, nationalising the Suez canal in July 1956 ?
They retaliated by creating a secret plan with Israel
What did the plan, that France, Britain & Israel created following Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez canal in July 1956, set out do do ?
The plan set out for Israel to invade Egypt, the European powers would call for a ceasefire and when that did not happen, the European powers would bomb Cairo (capital of Egypt) and try to obtain peace.
Why did the plan, that France, Britain & Israel created following Nasser’s nationalisation of the Suez canal in July 1956, not go ahead ?
France, Britain and Israel were convinced that they would have the support of Eisenhower, however, his re-election campaign was in full swing and he didn’t want to be seen as supporting imperialism.
Due to Eisenhower not supporting France, Britain and Israel in trying to regain control of the Suez canal with their secret plan after Nasser nationalised it in July 1956, How did America force the British and French to withdraw ?
He used financial pressure to force the British and French to withdraw
How did the events of the Suez crisis prompt Eisenhower to Implement the Eisenhower Doctrine in jan 1957 ?
worries about the continued existence of European (particularly British) political and military power in the Middle East in the aftermath of the Suez Crisis
What did the Eisenhower doctrine allow America to do in the Middle East ?
gave the administration increased power to aid countries in the region.
Which President of The United states recognised the State of Israel first ?
1948 - Truman
Why was there tensions in the Middle East after Truman recognised the State of Israel in 1948 ?
This is because, the land that now formed Israel had previously been part of Palestine
How did John Foster Dulles view the Middle East in terms of its importance to America ?
He felt that the Middle East was key to circling the USSR
Give a treaty that was formed in the Middle East in 1955 that was formed off the back of the belief by John Foster Dulles that the region was key to circling the USSR.
CENTO (Central Treaty organisation)
What was the aim of CENTO (Central Treaty organisation) ?
to counter the threat of Soviet expansion into vital Middle East oil-producing regions
Why was one of CENTO’s aims to try to counter the threat of Soviet expansion into vial Middle Eastern oil- producing regions ?
This is because the West was becoming more dependant on oil
Who were the 5 founding members of CENTO (Central Treaty organisation) on the 24th Feb 1955 ?
1) Iran
2) Iraq
3) Pakistan
4) Turkey
5) UK
When did America join CENTO (Central Treaty organisation)
1959
What happened in the coup in Iran in 1953 ?
When the democratically elected leader of Iran, Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh had decided to nationalise the oil Industry, Allen Dulles approved a CIA coup to depose Mosaddegh.
Give an example of how CENTO was not very effective in achieving its aim of countering the threat of Soviet expansion into vital Middle East oil-producing regions
In 1958, the monarchy of Iraq was overthrown and the USSR started to develop a friendly relation with the new, non aligned Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Libya.
When was CENTO dissolved ?
1979
Why was CENTO dissolved in 1979 ?
This is because of the fall of the shah (title of ruler of Iran until 1979 revolution) in Iran in 1979
What is meant by ‘non-aligned’ ?
This means that the country is 3rd world and not aligned with the USSR or USA
