Suez Canal 1956

Prior knowledge

The Suez Canal is located in Egypt it is a neutral canal built by the French and operated by Egyptians. Britain used it the most being the only way to connect the Red and Mediterranean Sea it provided Britain with quick connection to her colonies. Egyptian nationalist wanted to take control of the canal and gain power, so Britain decided to occupy the country and didn’t let go for 75yrs.

1956

 In 1956 Egyptian president Nasser freed Egypt from Britain but never gained the canal. Adel Ezet was an Egyptian nationalist that still wanted control of the Canal and worked with Nasser to raid the Canal’s administration office. British PM Anthony Eden was worried he’d cut off from the colonies. England sent their navy and asked France and the U.S to assist. France agreed but U.S President Dwight Eisenhower was in voting year and American did not like European colonialism. Even Canadian Foreign minister Lester Pearson said “Don’t fight” because Britain has a small army. Eden pleaded with the U.N for help and during the meetings France suggested they ask Israel for help. Israel agreed and Britain decided Israel should attack first making it a two front war giving the British army a chance. That arrangement was under the table so the U.N was dumbfounded and wanted the fighting to end. Eisenhower wanted a treaty but Pearson suggested the U.N send military forces. Even Khrushchev threatened Britain with nukes if they didn’t withdrawal. 8 countries were involved in the U.N peace force, when they asked Egypt for approval to intervene; Nasser wanted no Canadians because at the time they were still very close with Britain. Britain eventually pulled out still keeping the canal neutral. This whole thing created an antiwar movement and in Britain it cause the fall of Eden from power. This was also the first time Americas had gotten involved in middle eastern politics.