Suez crisis

• The Suez Crisis was the most significant foreign policy event during Macmillan's premiership.
• The Suez Crisis was a turning point in British foreign policy as it marked the end of an era where Britain acted independently on the world stage and highlighted the need for cooperation with other Western powers.
• The Suez Crisis occurred between October 29th, 1956, and November 7th, 1956.
• In July 1956, Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, which led to an international crisis involving France, Israel, and Great Britain.
• what % of oil that came through the canal was British

  44%
• Nasser's decision to nationalize the canal company sparked tensions between him and other world leaders, including Macmillan.
• Nasser's decision to nationalize the canal company caused tensions between Egypt and its allies (France and Israel) and their allies (Great Britain).
• Eisenhower warned Macmillan not to act without consulting the US first.
• Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company, which had been owned by French and British investors since its construction in 1869.
• Eisenhower warned against military action by Britain and France.
• Macmillan had to balance his desire for closer ties with Europe against the reality that Britain still relied heavily on its Empire, particularly Australia and New Zealand, for trade and defense support.
• Macmillan believed that Nasser's actions were a threat to British interests and saw this as an opportunity to assert his leadership on the global stage.
• Soviet support for Egypt increased following the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company.
• Egypt had been receiving financial aid from both the Soviet Union and the United States since 1953.
• The Suez Crisis began on October 29, 1956, when Israeli forces invaded the Sinai Peninsula, followed by a joint invasion from France and Great Britain.