Foreign relations 1951-64- The Suez Crisis 1956

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The importance of the Suez Canal

  • The Suez canal- main artery connecting trade routes from the Mediterranean through to the Indian Ocean and beyond to Asia, Australia and New Zealand 
  • Most importantly, the Suez canal was the vital route for oil shipments, with 80% of Western Europe's oil imports passing through the canal 
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Origins of the Suez Crisis

  • The emergence of Egyptian independence under a new nationalist leader, Colonel Nasser, threatened Britain's strategic interests 
  • The United States and Britain had planned to invest in the Aswan Dam but pulled out in 1956 
  • In response, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal company to provide the finance needed for the Aswan Dam 
  • Nasser's action seemed to place Egypt on the Soviet side of the Cold War 
  • The British Prime Minister Eden, influenced by his belief that Britain was an imperial power and his opposition to appeasement in the 1930's, saw Nasser as an 'evil dictator who could not be allowed to get away with unprovoked aggression'
  • Most of Edens cabinet, including Macmillan, agreed with him
  • Eden was encouraged by France and Israel, a secret meeting was held in Paris and a plan was agreed
  • Israeli forces would invade Egypt, British and French forces would then intervene, the excuse for intervention being that they would enforce peace on Egypt and Israel, however the real effect would be to seize control of the Suez Canal zone
  • The details of this plan were concealed from Parliament and the Americans  
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Events in the Crisis

  • The secret plan went ahead in October 1956
  • Israeli forces launched an attack and the Anglo-French invasion followed 
  • Military action did not go as smoothly as planned and caused a storm of political protest in Britain 
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Impact of the Suez Crisis

  • The Labour Party opposed the conflict in Egypt, anti-war protests were held and public opinion was split on the need for intervention 
  • The United States opposed the action and Britain was not strong enough to stand up to American pressure
  • Britain plunged into a serious financial crisis
  • Macmillan, intially a supporter of the invasion, realised it was essential to pull out even if it meant accepting failure and humiliation
  • Eden's reputation was damaged
  • The Crisis brought Britain's position in the world into question

- Brought into question Britain's reputation as a force of good in the world

- It highlighted the inability for Britain to act without the support of the United States

- Showed the impact that Britain's economic and financial policy had on foreign policy

- Started to undermine the belief that Britain was still one of the world's major powers  

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