Suez crisis Flashcards
Who nationalised the Suez canal?
Egypt (nasser)
Who owned the Suez canal before nationalization?
The Suez canal company (Controlled by France and Britain)
Why was it nationalised?
The Egyption president (Nasser) wanted the money the canal toll gathered for an infrastructure project.
What were Nasser’s aims?
-To maintain good relations with USA and the USSR
-Maintain independence of the Arab world and prevent any imperial powers from dominating it
What did USA do to Egypt?
-America unhappy with lack of hostility Egypt has towards USSR
-USA and Britain withdrew promised financial assistance to Egypt
What did Nasser do in retaliation to USA’s withdrawal of money?
-Declared his intention to nationalise the Suez canal so he could make up for the lost money.
What did Britain and France think about the nationalisation?
It was an attack on their influence in the area.
Why were Israel angry?
Nasser band all Israeli shipping from the canal
What plan did Britain, France and Israel make?
-Israel would capture the Sinai peninsula
-Britain and France would capture the Suez canal under the pretext of restoring order to the region
What happened on Oct 29?
-Israeli forces invaded the peninsula
What happened Oct 30?
-France and Britain sent an ultimatum (demand) to Egypt and Israel
-Both sides ordered to to withdraw 10 miles from the Suez canal or they would intervene
What was the problem with the ultimatum?
-Israel’s forces were still 40 miles away which shown their plan
-Both (Britain and France) met with international condemnation - especially from USA
What happened on Nov 5?
-British and French paratroopers dropped into the area around the canal - to secure it.
-Egyptian army wasn’t prepared for an army of 3 nations
-The population of Egypt rallied around Nasser, and many civilians passively fought off the military.
Did France, Britain, and Israel win?
-Yes in terms of military
-Most nations around the world sided with Egypt
-Ussr saying they would use nuclear weapons on Britain and France
Us president was livid with the British and French. threatened to remove them from NATO
-US president threatened to sell off sterling bonds which would cause an economic failure for Britain
What was the after-effect?
-Britain ceased hostilities
-France and Israel signed a cease fire
