Suez Crisis Facts & Worksheets

• Britain and France relied heavily on the canal for trade and saw its nationalisation as a direct threat to their interests. Secretly, they collaborated with Israel, which had its own tensions with Egypt, and planned an invasion. Israel would attack first, and then Britain and France would intervene under the pretext of protecting the canal.

Key Players and Their Motivations

Egypt (led by Gamal Abdel Nasser)

• Nasser wanted to end British influence in Egypt and assert Egyptian control over its own affairs.
• The Aswan Dam was crucial for Egypt's economic future, promising flood control, electricity and improved irrigation.
• Nasser sought to position himself as a leader in the Arab world, challenging Western dominance in the region.

Great Britain (led by Prime Minister Anthony Eden)

• The Suez Canal was vital for British trade and access to its colonies in Asia.
• Britain wanted to assert its declining global power and influence.
• Eden saw Nasser's actions as aligning with those of the Soviet Union, a major threat during the Cold War.

France (led by Prime Minister Guy Mollet)

• France, like Britain, had colonial interests in the region and saw Nasser's nationalism as a threat.
• France believed Egypt was supporting the Algerian independence movement, which it was determined to suppress.
• France and Britain had a long history of cooperation and shared strategic goals.

Israel (led by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion)

• Israel felt threatened by Egypt's military build-up and support for Palestinian guerrilla raids.
• Egypt's blockade of the Straits of Tiran disrupted Israeli maritime access, which Israel was determined to restore.
• Israel saw an opportunity to weaken Egypt and forge closer ties with Britain and France.

Other Key Players:

United States (led by President Dwight D. Eisenhower)

• While initially supportive of the Aswan Dam, the US opposed the invasion of Egypt, fearing a wider conflict and Soviet involvement. 
• The US played a crucial role in pressuring Britain, France and Israel to withdraw.

Soviet Union (led by Nikita Khrushchev)

• The Soviet Union seized on the crisis to denounce Western imperialism and position itself as a defender of Arab interests. 
• While it threatened to intervene, its role was primarily diplomatic.

Course of the Crisis

Phase 1: The Invasion

• 29 October 1956: Israel launches a surprise attack on Egypt. They make advances across the Sinai Peninsula and reach the Suez Canal within days.
• 30–31 October 1956: Britain and France issue an ultimatum to Egypt and Israel, demanding they withdraw from the Canal Zone. Egypt refuses, as they see it as a violation of the country's sovereignty. British and French airstrikes on Egypt begin.
• 5–6 November 1956: British and French paratroopers land in the Canal Zone. They capture Port Said and fight with Egyptian forces.

Phase 2: International Condemnation and Pressure

• November 1956: The invasion is met with widespread international condemnation.
• The United States condemns the actions of its allies and pressures them to withdraw.
• The Soviet Union threatens intervention and makes nuclear threats.
• The United Nations General Assembly passes resolutions calling for a ceasefire and withdrawal of foreign troops.

Phase 3: Ceasefire and Withdrawal

• 6 November 1956: A UN-brokered ceasefire comes into effect. However, British and French forces remain in control of the Canal Zone.
• November–December 1956: Under intense international pressure, economic strain and a potential loss of support at home, Britain and France reluctantly agree to withdraw their forces.
• 22 December 1956: The last Anglo-French troops withdraw from Egypt. A UN peacekeeping force is deployed to the Sinai Peninsula to maintain peace and oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Consequences and Aftermath

• In the aftermath of the Suez Crisis, Gamal Abdel Nasser became a hero in the Arab world. Despite the military setback, his defiance against Western imperialism in nationalising the Suez Canal enhanced his influence.
• The crisis further reinforced a sense of unity among Arab nations. Massive anti-West demonstrations and riots happened in most cities and towns in the Arab states. In addition, both Saudi Arabia and Syria called off their diplomatic relations with France and Britain.
• With these developments, Jordan, Syria and Egypt signed a military agreement. In 1958, at the request of Syrian leaders, the United Arab Republic was established. This was a union between Syria and Egypt, led by Nasser. It was seen as a step towards a pan-Arab state.
• Israel, despite facing international pressure to withdraw, emerged from the crisis having realised some of its military aims. It gained control of the Gaza Strip and secured the Straits of Tiran, ensuring access to its southern port of Eilat. However, the crisis also heightened Israel's sense of isolation and vulnerability. The crisis reinforced the belief that the country could not rely on external powers for protection and had to prioritise self-reliance in matters of defence.
• For the former colonial powers, Great Britain and France, the Suez Crisis was a humiliating defeat that signified their waning influence on the world stage. Their failure to achieve their objectives exposed the limits of their power in a post-colonial era and strained their relationships with key allies, particularly the United States. The crisis accelerated their decline as global powers.
• On a global scale, the Suez Crisis emphasised the growing influence of the United States and the Soviet Union in the Middle East. Both superpowers sought to capitalise on the power vacuum left by the retreating European powers. This led to increased Cold War tensions in the region.