See Also

Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis was a war War

War is a conflict involving the organized use of weapon [i]s and physical force by state [i]s or other l ... 

 fought on Egyptian territory in 1956. The conflict pitted Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 against an alliance between the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

, France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 and Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

. The United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 also played a crucial role, albeit not a military one. This alliance against Egypt largely took place as a result of the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser

Gamal Abdel Nasser was the leader of Egypt [i] from 1954 until his death in 1970. ... 

's action of nationalizing the Suez Canal Company, which operated the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

, an important asset to French and British economies, particularly as a chokepoint in world oil shipments. British policy makers initially feared an Israeli attack on Egypt, and sought cooperation with the United States throughout 1956 to deal with Egyptian-Israeli tensions.

Discussions

  Discussion Features

   Ask a question about 'Suez Crisis'

   Start a new discussion about 'Suez Crisis'

   Answer questions about 'Suez Crisis'

   'Suez Crisis' discussion forum

Timeline

1956   Suez Crisis begins: Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 invades the Sinai Peninsula Sinai Peninsula

The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangle-shaped peninsula [i] lying between the Mediterranean Sea [i] ... 

 and push Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

ian forces back toward the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

.

1956   Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 and France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 begin bombing Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 to force the reopening of the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

.

1956   Suez Crisis: The United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations Nations Unies ... 

 General Assembly adopts a resolution calling for the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

, France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 and Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 to withdraw their troops from Arab lands immediately.

1956   Suez Crisis causes petrol rationing Rationing

Rationing is the controlled distribution of resources and scarce [i] goods or services: it rest ... 

 in Britain.



Encyclopedia

The Suez Crisis was a war War

War is a conflict involving the organized use of weapon [i]s and physical force by state [i]s or other l ... 

 fought on Egyptian territory in 1956. The conflict pitted Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 against an alliance between the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

, France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 and Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

. The United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 also played a crucial role, albeit not a military one.

This alliance against Egypt largely took place as a result of the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser

Gamal Abdel Nasser was the leader of Egypt [i] from 1954 until his death in 1970. ... 

's action of nationalizing the Suez Canal Company, which operated the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

, an important asset to French and British economies, particularly as a chokepoint in world oil shipments. British policy makers initially feared an Israeli attack on Egypt, and sought cooperation with the United States throughout 1956 to deal with Egyptian-Israeli tensions.

The alliance between the two European nations and Israel was largely one of convenience; the European Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

 nations had economic and trading interests in the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

, while Israel wanted to reopen the canal for Israeli shipping and end Egyptian-supported guerrilla incursions.

When the USSR Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 threatened to intervene on behalf of Egypt, Canadian Secretary of State for External Affairs Lester B. Pearson Lester B. Pearson

Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC [i], CC [i], OM [i] ... 

 feared a larger war and came up with a clever plan to separate the opposing forces by placing United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 forces between them to act as a buffer zone or 'human shield' .

The Crisis resulted in the resignation of the British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 Conservative Prime Minister Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet [i] in the executive [i] b ... 

, Sir Anthony Eden Anthony Eden

Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG [i], MC [i], PC [i] ... 

, and marked the completion of the shift in the global balance of power from traditional European powers to the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and the Soviet Union Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

 and was a milestone in the decline of the British Empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

.

Background

The Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

 was opened in 1869, having been financed by France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 and the Egyptian government. Technically, the territory of the canal itself was sovereign Egyptian territory, and the operating company, the Universal Company of the Suez Maritime Canal was an Egyptian-chartered one . In 1875, the British government of Benjamin Disraeli Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, KG [i], PC [i] ... 

 bought out the Egyptian share of the company, giving it partial control over the canal's operations, which it shared with mostly French private investors. In 1882, during foreign intervention in Egypt, the United Kingdom took de facto control of the physical canal. The canal was of strategic importance, being the ocean trade link between Britain and its colonies in India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

, the Far East Far East

Far East is an inexact term often used for East Asia [i], South Asia [i] and Southeast Asia [i] comb ... 

 as well as Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

 and New Zealand New Zealand

New Zealand is a country in the south-western Pacific Ocean [i] consisting of two large islands and many ... 

. The area as a whole was strategic to North Africa North Africa

North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost [i] region [i] of the Africa [i]n continent [i] ... 

 and the Middle East Middle East

The Middle East is a subcontinent [i] for the historical [i] and cultural [i] ... 

.

The importance of the canal as a strategic center was apparent during both World War World war

A world war is a military conflict [i] affecting the majority of the world's major nations. ... 

s. During the First World War World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

, the British and French closed the canal to non-Allied shipping. During the Second World War World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

, it was tenaciously defended during the North African Campaign North African campaign

During World War II [i], the North African Campaign, also known as the Desert War, took place in t ... 

.

Daniel Yergin, a historian of the oil industry, wrote:

[I]n 1948, the canal abruptly lost its traditional rationale. For the year before India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

 became independent, and control over the canal could no longer be preserved on grounds that it was critical to the defense either of India or of an empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

 that was being liquidated. And yet, at exactly the same moment, the canal was gaining a new role — as the highway not of empire, but of oil Petroleum

Petroleum or crude oil is a black, dark brown or greenish liquid [i] found in porous rock formati ... 

. The Suez Canal was the way most of the growing volumes of Persian Gulf Persian Gulf

[i] region, is an extension of the [[Gulf of Oman]... 

 oil got to Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

, cutting the 11,000 nautical mile  journey around the Cape of Good Hope Cape of Good Hope

The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland [i] on the Atlantic [i] coa ... 

 to Southampton Southampton

Southampton is a city [i] and major port [i] situated on the south coa ... 

 down to 6,500 nautical miles . By 1955, petroleum accounted for two thirds of all the canal's traffic, and in turn two thirds of Europe's oil passed through it. Flanked to the north by Tapline and the Iraq Petroleum Company pipeline Pipeline transport

Pipeline transport is a transportation of goods through a pipe [i]. ... 

s, the canal was the critical link in the postwar structure of the international oil industry.


British troops were withdrawn from Palestine Palestine

Palestine is one of several names for the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea [i] and the ba ... 

 in 1947 and the state of Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 was formally established in 1948, shortly followed by the 1948 Arab-Israeli War 1948 Arab-Israeli War

}
|-
|
|}
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, referred to as the "War of Independence" or as the "War o... 

, which further established Israel's independence. See history of Israel History of Israel

This article describes the history of the modern State of Israel [i], from its Independence Proclamation [i] ... 

, history of Egypt History of Egypt

The history of Egypt is the longest continuous history, as a unified state, of any country in the world.... 

.

In 1952, officers in the Egyptian army overthrew the monarchy of King Farouk Farouk of Egypt

King Farouk I of Egypt ? was the last ruling King of Egypt [i], succeeding his father, Fuad I [i] ... 

 who had been a close ally of the British. Abandoning policies co-operative with European powers, the new government asserted an independent and Arab nationalist Arab nationalism

Arab nationalism refers to a common nationalist [i] ideology in the wider Arab world [i].... 

 identity. This led to conflict with the European powers over the Suez Canal. Especially once Israel's port of Eilat Eilat

Eilat , pop. 46,000, is Israel [i]'s southernmost city , in the Southern District of Israel [i]. ... 

 was completed in the mid 50s, conflict also heated up over the only gateway to it, the Straits of Tiran Straits of Tiran

The Straits of Tiran, are the narrow sea passages, about 5 km wide, formed by the Sinai [i] ... 

.

Meanwhile, the so-called Gaza Strip Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is a narrow coastal strip [i] of land along the Mediterranean [i], in t ... 

 - a part of the former British mandate, now occupied by Egypt - became a haven for masses of Palestinian refugees and a hotbed for guerilla activity against the fledgling Jewish state. In response, from 1953–1956 the Israel Defense Force Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces , often abbreviated with the Hebrew acronym [i] ??"? Tsahal ... 

s launched a number of strikes. These attacks were assisted by the future prime minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon Ariel Sharon

Ariel Sharon is a former Israeli politician and general [i].
... 

, who interrupted his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem [i] is one of Israel [i]'s oldest, largest, and most important instit ... 

 to become the military leader of the first special forces unit of the IDF: the elite Unit 101. This policy of reprisals was a major source of internal dispute between hawks War Hawk

War Hawk is a term originally used to describe a member of the House of Representatives [i] ... 

, led by David Ben-Gurion David Ben-Gurion

David Ben-Gurion was the first and third Prime Minister of Israel [i]. ... 

, and doves Peace symbol

A peace symbol is a representation or object that has come to symbolize peace [i]. ... 

, led by his successor for a short time, Moshe Sharett. It sometimes led to strong external criticism from the United Nations and even Israel's supporters.

The Gaza raid on 1955 February 28 marked yet another turning point in relations between the two enemies. In retaliation Egypt began to sponsor official Fedayeen and commando raids on Israel, sometimes through the territory of Jordan Jordan

Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , is an Arab [i] country in the Middle East [i] ... 

, which also officially opposed these raids, while still publicly discouraging Palestinian infiltration. There were secret talks, through various intermediaries and methods, between Egypt and Israel, but the escalating tensions between the IDF and the Fedayeen put an end to them.

Throughout 1956, tensions increased between Israel and Egypt, with Egyptian fedayeen launching frequent incursions into Israeli territory and Israel launching retaliatory raids into Egyptian territory. On 1956 July 26, Egypt, under the leadership of President Gamal Abdel Nasser Gamal Abdel Nasser

Gamal Abdel Nasser was the leader of Egypt [i] from 1954 until his death in 1970. ... 

 announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, which operated the vital trade route to the east, and in which British banks and business held a 44% stake. This nationalization was done in order to raise revenue for the construction of the Aswan High Dam Aswan Dam

Aswan [i] is a city on the first cataract [i] of the Nile [i] in Egypt [i].
... 

 on the Nile River Nile

The Nile ; Ancient Egyptian [i] iteru), a river [i] in Africa [i], is accepted by most authorities a ... 

. Concerning the Aswan High Dam project, the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and Britain had previously agreed to help pay for this project, but cancelled their support after Egypt had bought tanks from communist Communism

Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a future classless [i], stateless [i] ... 

 Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovakia was a country in Central Europe [i] that existed from 1918 until early 1993 . ... 

, then part of the Soviet bloc Eastern bloc

During the Cold War [i], the term Eastern Bloc was used to refer to the Soviet Union [i] and its allies ... 

, and also had extended diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China People's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China , is a country [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

. The better relationship with the Chinese was the result of the Bandung Conference Asian-African Conference

The Asian-African Conference was a meeting of Asian and African states, most of which were newly indepen... 

 in 1955, where Nasser had asked the Chinese to use their influence on the Soviets to supply Egypt with the necessary arms.

The British Prime Minister of the time, Sir Anthony Eden, tried to persuade the British public of the need for war and so, perhaps in an attempt to recall World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

-era patriotism, he compared Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal with the nationalism of Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was the Prime-Minister and fascist [i] dictator of Italy from... 

 and Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was Chancellor of Germany [i] from 1933, and Fhrer [i] of Germany [i] from 1934 until h ... 

 twenty years earlier. However, it is interesting to note that the very first comparisons between 1930s dictators and Nasser during the crisis was made by the opposition Labour leader, Hugh Gaitskell Hugh Gaitskell

Hugh Todd Naylor Gaitskell was a British politician, leader of the Labour Party [i] from 19 ... 

 and the left-leaning tabloid newspaper, the Daily Mirror The Daily Mirror

The Daily Mirror is a British [i] left-wing tabloid [i] daily newspaper [i]. ... 

. Eden had been a staunch opponent of Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain

Arthur Neville Chamberlain was a Conservative [i] British [i]... 

's policy of appeasement Appeasement

Appeasement is a policy of accepting the imposed conditions of an aggressor in lieu of armed resistance.... 

 and he claimed that a display of force was needed to prevent Nasser becoming another expansionist military threat. Eden had also been exercised over Nasser's apparent role in the dismissal of British military leader Glubb Pasha John Bagot Glubb

Lieutenant-General [i] Sir John Bagot Glubb, better known as Glubb Pasha [i], was a British [i] ... 

 in Jordan prior to the canal company nationalization. The French also were hostile because of Nasser's support for insurgents in Algeria.

Between July and October 1956, unsuccessful initiatives encouraged by the United States were made to reduce the tensions that would ultimately lead to war. International conferences were organized to secure agreement on canal operations; no agreement was secured.

In the months that followed Egypt's nationalization of the canal company, with the support of the former managers of the company that operated the canal, Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez, a secret meeting between Israel, France and Britain took place at Sèvres Sèvres

Svres is a commune [i] in the southwestern suburbs of Paris [i], France [i]. ... 

, outside Paris Paris

native_name = Ville de Paris
|common_name = Paris
... 

. Details on the Protocol of Sèvres only emerged years later, as records of the meeting were suppressed and destroyed. All parties agreed that Israel should invade and that Britain and France would subsequently intervene, instruct the Israeli and Egyptian armies to withdraw their forces to a distance of ten miles from either side of the canal, and then place an Anglo-French intervention force in the Canal Zone around Port Said Port Said

Port Said
()is a northeastern Egypt [i]ian city near the Suez Canal [i], with an approx. ... 

. It was to be called "Operation Musketeer".

Invasion



On October 29, 1956, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is a narrow coastal strip [i] of land along the Mediterranean [i], in t ... 

 and the Sinai Peninsula Sinai Peninsula

The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangle-shaped peninsula [i] lying between the Mediterranean Sea [i] ... 

 and made rapid progress towards the Canal Zone. As per the agreement, Britain and France offered to reoccupy the area and separate the warring armies. Nasser refused the offer, which gave the European powers a pretext for a joint invasion to regain control of the canal and topple the Nasser regime. To support the invasion, large air forces had been deployed to Cyprus Cyprus

Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasia [i]n island nation [i] in the eastern pa ... 

 and Malta Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation [i] consis ... 

 by the UK and France and many aircraft carrier Aircraft carrier

Additive synthesis is a technique of audio synthesis which creates music [i]al timbre [i].
... 

s were deployed. The two airbases on Cyprus were so congested that a third field which was in dubious condition had to be brought into use for French aircraft. Even RAF Luqa on Malta Malta

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a small and densely populated island nation [i] consis ... 

 was extremely crowded with RAF Bomber Command RAF Bomber Command

RAF Bomber Command was the organisation that controlled the RAF's [i] bomber forces. ... 

 aircraft. The UK deployed the aircraft carriers HMS Eagle, Albion HMS Albion

There have been nine ships to bear the name of HMS Albion from a third-rate [i] ship of the line to ... 

 and Bulwark and France had the Arromanches Arromanches (R95)

colspan="2" align="center"> [i]
... 

 and Lafayette on station. In addition, HMS Ocean and Theseus acted as jumping off points for Britain's and the world's first helicopter Helicopter

A helicopter is an aircraft [i] which is lifted [i] and propelled by one or more horizontal [i] rotor [i] ... 

-borne assault. The United Kingdom and France began to bomb Egypt on October 31 to force the reopening of the canal with Operation Musketeer. Nasser responded by sinking all 40 ships then present in the canal, closing it to further shipping until early 1957.

On late November 5, the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment The Parachute Regiment

The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne [i] Infantry [i] element of the British Army [i]. ... 

 dropped at El Gamil Airfield, clearing the area and establishing a secure base for incoming support aircraft and reinforcements. At first light on November 6, Commandos British Commandos

[i] in June 1940 during [[World War II]... 

 of Nos 42 and 40 Commando Royal Marines Royal Marines

His/Her Majesty's Royal Marines, also known as the Royal Marines, are the Royal Navy [i]'s Light Infantry [i] ... 

 stormed the beaches, using landing craft Landing craft

Landing craft are boats [i] and seagoing vehicles used to convey a landing force [i] from the sea t ... 

 of WWII World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

 vintage. Salvos from the battlegroup standing offshore opened fire, giving covering fire for the landings and causing considerable damage to the Egyptian batteries and gun emplacements. The town of Port Said Port Said

Port Said
()is a northeastern Egypt [i]ian city near the Suez Canal [i], with an approx. ... 

 sustained great damage and was seen to be alight.

Acting in concert with British forces, 500 heavily-armed paratroopers of the French 2er RPC , hastily redeployed from combat in Algeria, jumped over the al-Raswa bridges from Nordatlas transports of the ET 1/61 and ET 3/61, together with some combat engineers of the Guards Independent Parachute Company. Despite a loss of two soldiers, the western bridge was swiftly secured by the paras, and Corsairs of the Aéronavale 14F and 15F flew a series of close-air-support missions, destroying several SU-100s. F-84Fs also hit two large oil storage tanks in Port Said, which went up in flames and covered most of the city in a thick cloud of smoke for the next several days. Egyptian resistance was initially stiff but variable, some machine gun and cannon positions fought back until destroyed, while other Egyptian troops ran away. In addition to their normal armament of grenades, MAS-49 rifles, and MAT-49 MAT-49

The MAT-49 was a firearm [i] developed French arms factory Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle [i] f... 

 submachine guns, French paratroops were equipped with light machine guns, rifle grenades, and designated marksmen with telescope-sighted MAS-36 MAS-36

The MAS Modle 36 was the last bolt-action [i] rifle [i] to be standard in adopted by any large army. ... 

 rifles. The paras employed the rifle grenadiers and MAS marksmen to eliminate enemy strongpoints and snipers. One of the parachute regiment's members, Pierre Leuliette, noted that Egyptian infantry resistance was strongest where Egyptian officers stayed and fought with their men.

In the afternoon, 522 additional French paras were dropped near Port Fuad. These were also constantly supported by the Corsairs of the French Aéronavale, which flew very intensive operations: for example, although the French carrier LaFayette developed catapult problems, no less than 40 combat sorties were completed. In total, the French lost ten killed and 30 injured troops during the landing and the subsequent battles.

Meeting stiff resistance, British commandos of No. 45 Commando assaulted by helicopter and upon landing, moved inland from the port. Shore batteries hit several helicopters and casualties were sustained. Friendly fire from British carrier-borne aircraft caused heavy casualties to 45 Commando and HQ. Street fighting and house clearing was the order of the day. Again, stiff opposition from well entrenched sniper Sniper

[Image:01_SNIPERS_.jpg|thumb|right|200px| French Special Forces Sniping Team.
... 

 positions caused a number of casualties.

Cease-fire and withdrawal

The operation to take the canal was highly successful from a military point of view, but a political disaster due to external forces. Along with Suez, the United States was also dealing with the near-simultaneous Soviet Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

-Hungary crisis 1956 Hungarian Revolution

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution, also known as the Hungarian Uprising or simply the Hungarian Rev... 

, and faced the public relations embarrassment of criticizing the Soviet Union's military intervention there while not also criticizing its two principal European allies' actions.

Thus, the Eisenhower administration Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American [i] soldier and politician.... 

 forced a cease-fire on Britain and France, which it had previously told the Allies it would not do. Part of the pressure that the United States used against Britain was financial, as Eisenhower threatened to sell the United States reserves of the British pound and thereby precipitate a collapse of the British currency. After Saudi Arabia started an oil embargo against Britain and France, the U.S. refused to fill the gap, until Britain and France agreed to a rapid withdrawal. There was also a measure of discouragement for Britain in the rebuke by the Commonwealth Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association [i] of ... 

 Prime Minister Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet [i] in the executive [i] b ... 

s St. Laurent Louis St. Laurent

Louis Stephen St. Laurent, PC [i] , CC [i] , QC [i] ... 

 of Canada Canada

Canada is the world's second-largest [i] country by total area, occupying most ... 

 and Menzies Robert Menzies

Robert Gordon Menzies , Australia [i]n politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia [i] ... 

 of Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

 at a time when Britain was still continuing to regard the Commonwealth as an entity of importance as the residue of the British Empire British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

 and as an automatic supporter in its effort to remain a world power.

The British government and the pound Pound sterling

The pound, divided into 100 pence, is the official currency [i] of the United Kingdom [i] and the ... 

 thus both came under pressure. Eden was forced to resign and the invading forces withdrew in March 1957. Before the withdrawal, Lester Pearson Lester B. Pearson

Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, PC [i], CC [i], OM [i] ... 

, Canada's acting cabinet minister for external affairs, had gone to the United Nations United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 and suggested creating a United Nations Emergency Force United Nations Emergency Force

The first United Nations Emergency Force was established by United Nations General Assembly [i] to secur ... 

  in the Suez to "keep the borders at peace while a political settlement is being worked out." The United Nations eagerly accepted this suggestion, and the force was sent, greatly improving conditions in the area. Lester Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of five Nobel Prize [i]s bequested by the Swedish [i] industrialist ... 

 in 1957 for his efforts. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force was Lester Pearson's creation and he is considered the father of the modern concept "peacekeeping Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations [i], is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create ... 

".

Aftermath



Eden Anthony Eden

Robert Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon, KG [i], MC [i], PC [i] ... 

's resignation marked, until the Falklands War Falklands War

The Falklands War was fought in 1982 between Argentina [i] and the United Kingdom [i] over the Falkland Islands [i] ... 

, the last significant attempt Britain made to impose its military will abroad without U.S. support. Scott Lucas wrote "that Britain did not require Washington Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital [i] city [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

's endorsement to defend her interests".

However, Nigel Ashton argues "that British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 strategy in the region changed very little in the wake of Suez. Macmillan Harold Macmillan

Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton, OM [i], PC [i] ... 

 was every bit as determined as Eden had been to stop Nasser" although he was more willing to enlist American support in the future for that end. Some would argue that the crisis also marked the transfer of power to the new superpower Superpower

A superpower is a state [i] with the first rank in the international system [i] ... 

s, the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 and the Soviet Union Soviet Union

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , more commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a Communist state [i] ... 

.

The incident demonstrated the weakness of the NATO NATO

Aznar also proposed a strategic co-operation with India [i] and Colombia [i]. ... 

 alliance in its lack of planning and cooperation outside of the European theatre. From the point of view of General de Gaulle Charles de Gaulle

Charles Andr Joseph Marie de Gaulle , in France [i] commonly referred to as Gnral de Gaulle, ... 

, the Suez events demonstrated that France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 could not rely on allies, especially the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

, when pursuing her own foreign policy goals. This eventually led to France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 pulling out of the NATO NATO

Aznar also proposed a strategic co-operation with India [i] and Colombia [i]. ... 

 military network to safeguard its own interest.

The crisis signed the downsizing of United Kingdom and France as Global Power Global power

A global power or world power is a term that refers to a country that has great influence and power ... 

s and greatly improved Nasser's standing in the Arab world, helped to promote pan-Arabism Pan-Arabism

Pan-Arabism or Arab nationalism is a movement for unification among the Arab [i] peoples and natio ... 

, and reinforced hostility against the State of Israel. It also hastened the process of decolonization Decolonization

Decolonization refers to the achievement of independence [i] by the various Western colonies and protectorate [i] ... 

, as the remaining colonies of both Britain and France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 gained independence over the next several years.

After Suez, Aden Aden

Aden IPA [i]: is a city in Yemen [i], 105 miles East of Bab-el-Mandeb [i] ... 

 and Iraq Iraq

The Republic of Iraq, is a Middle East [i]ern country [i] in southwestern Asia [i] encomp ... 

 became the main bases for the British in the region while the French concentrated their forces at Bizerte and Beirut Beirut

Beirut is the capital [i], largest city [i], and chief seaport [i] of Lebanon [i]. ... 

.

By early 1957 all Israeli Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 troops had withdrawn from the Sinai. As part of the deal, the United Nations Emergency Force United Nations Emergency Force

The first United Nations Emergency Force was established by United Nations General Assembly [i] to secur ... 

  was placed in the Sinai with the express purpose of maintaining the cease-fire. While effective in preventing the small-scale warfare that prevailed before 1956 and after 1967, budgetary cutbacks and changing needs had seen the force shrink to 3,378 by 1967. The Egyptian Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 government then began to remilitarize the Sinai, and demanded that the UNEF withdraw. This action, along with the blockade of the Strait of Tiran Straits of Tiran

The Straits of Tiran, are the narrow sea passages, about 5 km wide, formed by the Sinai [i] ... 

, led directly to the Six Day War Six-Day War

The Six-Day War , also known as the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Six Days' War, an-Naksah , ... 

. During the war, Israeli armed forces captured the east bank of the canal, which subsequently became a de facto boundary between Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 and Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 and the canal was therefore closed until June, 1975.

Eisenhower later admitted, after retiring from office, that the Suez Crisis was perhaps the biggest mistake he made in terms of foreign policy. Not only did he feel that the United States weakened two crucial European Cold War Allies but he created in Nasser a man capable of dominating the Arab world when Nasser was little liked let alone respected amongst other Arab countries.

Notes


References

ISBN 0-671-50248-4 Chapter 24 is devoted entirely to the Suez Crisis.
  • Leuliette, Pierre, St. Michael and the Dragon: Memoirs of a Paratrooper, Houghton Mifflin, 1964

Further reading

  • Walter Arnstein, Britain Yesterday and Today: 1830 to the Present .
  • Ahron Bregman, Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947 . ISBN 0-415-28716-2
  • Keith Kyle, Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East . ISBN 1-86064-811-8
  • David Tal , The 1956 War . ISBN 0-7146-4394-7

See also

  • Anglo-American relations
  • Franco-American relations Franco-American relations

    [i] and the [[United States]... 

  • Israel-American relations Israel-United States relations

    Israel-United States relations have evolved from an initial United States [i] policy of sympathy and sup ... 

  • Protocol of Sèvres

External links

  • July 2006, BBC,
  • July 2006, The Economist,