Transcript The Suez Conflict of 1956

Timeline 1950-1957
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16 Nov 1950: Egypt demanded that British leave the Suez Canal zone.
26 July Nasser announced that Egypt was taking over the Canal
23 June 1956: Nasser elected president of Egypt without opposition.
19 July 1956: Britain and US refused to provide financing for the
Aswan dam project.
26 July 1956: Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal Company.
28 July 1956: Britain froze Egyptian assets in London.
1 Aug 1956: US, Britain and France hold talks about the Suez Canal.
29 Oct 1956: Israeli forces crossed the Egyptian frontier and
drove toward canal.
30 Oct 1956: Anglo-French ultimatum issued to Egypt and Israel
asking that both withdraw ten miles from the canal zone. Egypt rejected
the ultimatum.
31 Oct 1956: Anglo-French forces attacked Egypt in the Canal
zone. Israeli occupied the Gaza Strip and key points on the Sinai
Peninsula.
6 Nov 1956: Cease fire forced by U.S. pressure.
1 March 1957: Israel agreed to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and Sinai.
Arab/Palestinian Contentions
 Canal= Egypt’s one major asset, but ran by Paris based
company until 1968 Nationalization of the Suez Canal
Company- Egypt construct dam on Nile at Aswan to
regulate flow and provide cheap hydroelectric power
and irrigation- July 26-improve conditions of his ppl
Israeli Contentions
 Belief that Arabs were incapable of accepting peaceful
co-existence. This led to defense forces being the
primary focus of the government
 Ben-Guiron promoted retaliation, use of force and preemptive war
 Access to the Canal in order to protect the Homeland
from Arab influence and invasion
 Access to the Canal for economic stability.
British/French Intervention
 Nasser pushed nationalist rebellion in Algeria, which
was a part of the French Republic, since then, France
was hostile to Egypt
 British perception of problems were two-fold:
 1. Fear that Egypt was increasingly falling under Soviet
influence (refusal to join the Baghdad Pact)
 2. Nationalism of the Suez Canal deprived Britain of its
profits and was a political and military challenge
Key Players
 Gamal Abdel Nasser- Egyptian president, nationalized the Suez Canal which
led to tensions with the UK and France over their respective claims to the canal
and its use.
 Dwight Eisenhower- President of the United States, strongly opposed any
conflict with the Middle East and used the US’s monetary influence to end the
violence.
 Moshe Dayan- Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff
 Anthony Eden- UK Prime Minister, disregarded Eisenhower’s warning not to
enter into conflict with Egypt and Israel by supporting the launching sites of
Malta and Cyprus and lending troops and equipment to the ensuing battles
and occupation.
 Guy Mollet- French Prime Minister, worked closely with David Ben-Gurion of
Israel to take down Nasser after the Egyptian leader incited rebellion in Algeria.
 David Ben-Gurion- The Israeli leader was attempting to form a successful
alliance with a European power in order to ensure their ability to compete with
Egypt. He was able to secure such a coalition of his forces with France, under
the premise that they would enable him to invade Egypt.
Key Battles
 Oct 30th : Israeli troops reach the Canal. Britain and
France deliver ultimatum to Israel and Egypt to
withdraw forces. Nasser rejects this ultimatum.
 Oct 31st-Nov 1st : British and French fighter bombers
attack Egypt air fields and economic strong holds
 Eisenhower catches word of the bombings and takes
the case to the United Nations
Outcomes of the Conflict
 November 2nd - United Nations ordered a cease-fire
 Eisenhower Doctrine-a policy stating that the United States would use armed
forces to help any country in the Middle East that requested assistance against
communism
 Resignation of Anthony Eden as British Prime Minister.
 Guy Mollet's position as French Prime Minister was heavily damaged leading to
his recognition five months later
 End of Britain's and France’s role as major players in the Middle East
 The UNEF would police the Egyptian–Israeli border to prevent both
sides from future confrontations
 Nasser emerged from the crisis the hero of the Arab World, expanded his
regional influence and established Egypt as the leader of the Arab World, and
emerged from the conflict with possession of the Suez Canal
 UNEF guaranteed freedom of shipping in the Gulf of Aqaba to Israel
 Israel’s military reputation was enhanced
Credits
 Group Members: Misha Miller-Hughes, Nick Truman,
Mckensie Lui, BJ Bolden, Ada T-J
 Sources:
 The Arab-Israeli Conflict by Kristen E. Schulze
 The Arab-Israeli Conflict by T.G. Fraser
 Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation: The Suez
Crisis of 1956