Suez Crisis

• When was the Suez Canal completed?

  1869
• Who completed the construction of the Suez Canal?

  Ferdinand de Lesseps
• What percentage of the Suez Canal did Britain own in 1875?

  44%
• How much did Britain pay for its stake in the Suez Canal in 1875?

  £4 million
• When did Egypt become a British protectorate?

  1922
• Who seized power in Egypt in a military coup in 1952?

  President Nasser
• What fraction of European oil was transported through the Suez Canal in 1955?

  Two thirds
• What significant action did Nasser take in July 1956 regarding the Suez Canal?

  Nasser nationalised the Canal
• What were the four-way divides in the Middle East during the Suez Crisis?

  1. Between USA and USSR (Cold War)
  2. Between Arab States and Britain/France (Colonial legacy/hostility)
  3. Between Arabs and Israel (Israel created in 1948)
  4. Between Arabs for leadership of the Arab World (Nasser's pan-Arab movement)
• What did Bismarck say about the Suez Canal?

  It was the spinal cord of the British Empire
• What was the purpose of the Aswan Dam in Egypt?

  To modernise Egypt by providing hydroelectric power
• Why did the US withdraw its loan offer for the Aswan Dam?

  Nasser approached Soviet bloc countries for aid
• What date did Nasser nationalise the Suez Canal?

  26 July 1956
• What did Eden mean by saying Nasser couldn't be allowed 'to leave his thumb on Britain’s windpipe'?

  Nasser posed a threat to Britain's oil supplies
• What was the reaction of Eden to Nasser's actions regarding the Suez Canal?

  Eden planned ways to bring Nasser down
• Why were the French willing to join the British in anti-Nasser moves?

  They resented Egypt’s support of Arab nationalists in French Algeria
• What did Eden hope regarding American support in the Suez Crisis?

  Eden hoped the Americans would favour anti-Nasser policies
• What was the Canal Users’ Association?

  A group created to apply pressure on Egypt regarding the Canal
• What was the outcome of Britain and France referring the issue to the UN Security Council?

  The Soviet Union used its veto to block proposals
• What did Eden realize after the UN Security Council's response?

  Only force could shift Nasser
• When did the Israelis attack across the Gaza Strip?

  29 October 1956
• What did Britain and France deliver on 30 October 1956?


  An ultimatum regarding a ceasefire
• How did the UN respond to the invasion of Egypt by Britain and France?

  The UN entered an emergency debate
• What was the reaction of the US and UN to Eden's actions during the Suez Crisis?

  The US was angry and felt ignored + the UN condemned Britain, Israel and France in an emergency debate after the invasion
• What did Eden use for the first time during the Suez Crisis?

  Britain's veto in the UN
• What was the content of Eden's 'Man of Peace' speech?


  Eden claimed to be a man of peace despite military actions
• Who criticized Eden's actions at the 'Law not War' rally at Trafalgar Square?


  Aneurin Bevan
• What was the public reaction to Eden's military intervention in the Suez Crisis?

  There was a lack of support on the home front
• What was the Soviet Union's initial focus during the Suez Crisis?

  The Hungarian crisis
• Who was the new Soviet leader during the Suez Crisis?

  Nikita Khrushchev
• What was the opinion of right-wing newspapers regarding Eden's actions?

  They supported Eden's aggressive actions
• What was the opinion of left-wing newspapers regarding Eden's actions?

  They opposed his actions
• Who was the Labour Party leader from 1955 who did not support Eden?

  Hugh Gaitskell
• What did opinion polls show regarding the intervention in Suez?

  There was a narrow majority against the intervention
• What was the response to Eden's intervention?

  Extreme patriotism (jingoism) in response to aggressive foreign policy
• What was the jingoistic headline from the Daily Sketch newspaper regarding the Suez Crisis?

  RAF BOMBS AROUND THE CLOCK
• What were some reasons people opposed military intervention in the Suez Crisis?

  Ethical grounds and lack of UN backing
• When did Eden resign and what was the reason?

  He resigned in January 1957 due to ill-health
• What was the effect of the Suez Crisis on economy?

  It affected petrol prices and caused fears of economic problems
• How did the Suez Crisis affect Conservative poll standings in the short term?

  It negatively affected Conservative poll standings