Section 4: Winds of Change 1947 - 67 - The Suez Crisis

Question 1

When did the Suez crisis happen?

Answer 1

1956

Question 2

What international power were GB fearful of in Middle East? and why?

Answer 2

Russia - had withdrawn from Palestine but still had 10,000 troops in Suez Canal zone

Question 3

What areas did UK have control over?

Answer 3

Aden, Cyprus, Iraqi air bases (had withdrawn officially 1932)

Question 4

Who had the UK tried to negotiate with in Egypt and Middle East? and for what purpose?

Answer 4

Arab League to resist the spread of communism from Russia (Soviet Union) - Arabs didn’t like GB presence

Question 5

After 1947 ———> constant skirmishes around Suez, why?

Answer 5

UK presence, Russia presence in Palestine and Suez zone, Arab nationalists didn’t like GB

Question 6

What happened in 1951?

Answer 6

King Farouk of Egypt proclaimed himself King of Sudan

Question 7

What happened to King Farouk in 1952, a year after his proclomation?

Answer 7

Colonel Nasser overthrown by military coup

Question 8

Who was the GB foreign secretary who oversaw all this

Answer 8

Anthony Eden

Question 9

What did Eden agree with Egypt ruler - Nasser in 1953?

Answer 9

Steps towards independence for Sudan and GB agreed to withdraw troops from Suez over 20 months

Question 10

What did this show in terms of international relations?

Answer 10

A Gb desire to maintain good relations, willing to compromise and showed Gb economic difficulties

Question 11

What did Egypt promise to GB?

Answer 11

• free access to canal
• keep gb bases in good condition
• respected suez canal company - gb had 44% share

Question 12

Did Uk use diplomacy over this peirod?

Answer 12

Yes

Question 13

What agreement was signed in 1955? between UK, Pakistan, Iraq, Persia

Answer 13

Baghdad Pact - GB wanted to repel soviet threat - united middle east and gb against communism insurgency

Question 14

Did Colonel Nasser reject the Baghdad Pact?

Answer 14

yes - instead signed alliance with Syria and Chezh for more arms - made Eden alarmed

Question 15

Events of 1956 in Egypt?

Answer 15

• Nasser into egyptian president
• wanted egypt as number one
• developed aswan dam for irrigation, flood cofntrol
• usa withdrew funding - nasser with communist associations

Question 16

When is the Suez Canal Company nationalised?

Answer 16

July 1956

Question 17

Why was this a blow to UK Govt

Answer 17

had 44% share, attacked middle east position, gb prepared for military action

Question 18

Who else was outraged over nationalisation of suez?

Answer 18

France, Isreal invited gb for joint assault on egypt

Question 19

What did Eden think was only option?

Answer 19

Removal of Nasser

Question 20

What was the Protocol of Sevres?

Answer 20

1956 - isreal would attack egypt, gb and france demand end to fighting and withdraw troops from canal, would justify invasion of canal to protect from isrealis

Question 21

What was the USAs reaction?

Answer 21

angry, gb had not informed them, condemned attack and stopped supporting the sterling currency - huge blow to gb international position, status, lost alliance

Question 22

What were the consequences of Suez crisis?

Answer 22

empires days were numbered, would never act alone without usa, challenged credibility of empire, the idea that managed decolonisation could be done in ways to maintain good relations was destroyed