Suez Crisis

Question 1

What was the importance of the Suez Canal by the 1950s

Answer 1

• central to the defence of the Middle East (oil)
• to provide bases to bomb the Soviet Union
• to prevent a Soviet invasion into Africa
• to preserve trade links and sea communication

Question 2

How many troops were guarding the canal by the 1950s

Answer 2

80,000

Question 3

How did the Egyptians challenge the British position

Answer 3

1951- ditched the 1936 treaty and refused to join ME command
-Egyptian nationalist ambushed Brit troops in the Canal Base and in Jan 1952 riots in Cairo burnt Brit property

Question 4

Who did Nasser complete an arms deal with in 1955

Answer 4

Czechoslovakia

Question 5

When did Nasser make himself president of Egypt

Answer 5

June 1956

Question 6

Why did the USA, Britain and the world bank withdrew their funding for Nasser’s developments in Egypt

Answer 6

as Nasser continued association with communist powers

Question 7

When did Nasser nationalise the Suez Canal

Answer 7

16th July 1956

Question 8

What percentage of shares did the British hold in the Suez canal when it was nationalised

Answer 8

44%

Question 9

By October 1956 what was the only way Eden believed would ensure British and French interests in the Middld East

Answer 9

removal of Nasser from power

Question 10

When did British and French forces enter Egypt

Answer 10

5th November 1956

Question 11

What did the British and French troops say was the pretence for entering Egypt

Answer 11

to separate Israeli’s and Egyptians and restore peace in the Middle East

Question 12

What was the American response to the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt

Answer 12

Americans disassociated themselves from the British actions and the UN even voted 64 to 5 in favour of an American resolution for an immediate ceasefire

Question 13

Why was Eden ultimately forced into a ceasefire on 6th Nov

Answer 13

British weak financial position vis a vis the americans

Question 14

What were the consequences of the Suez Crisis

Answer 14

• never again would the British act alone in imperial or international affairs without the approval of the USA
• Britain no longer seen as major independent power
• suggested to nationalists movements that if they pushed hard enough the British could be forced to surrender
• called into question the credibility of plans to hold onto formal colonies in Africa
• Brit politicians began to accept that it was better to accede nationalists demands for independence sooner rather than later