The Suez crisis

• The British government was worried about the impact on Britain's economy if Egypt nationalised the canal.
• What did Suez prove?

  • The age of imperialism was over
  • Britain was no longer a world power
• What characterised Suez?

  • Strength of opposition - Gaitskell and Bevan named it a ‘mad venture’
  • American fury
  • Failure to gain international backing
  • Reluctance of commonwealth
  • Threat of economic collapse