The Suez Canal Crisis
By: Nikki, Michael, Taylor, Kylee, Danica,
and Michaela.
Timeline
1953: Nasser
introduces
blockades/restricts
Israeli commerce
July 26th: Nasser announces
nationalization of the Canal
August 1st: Talks about
the Canal are held
between Britain, France,
and the US
...
July 19th, 1956: America
and Britain decide not to
finance the Aswan High Dam
July 28th: Egyptian
assets in London frozen
by the British
October 29th:
Israeli paratroops
drop on Sinai
October 30th: Anglo-French
ultimatum issued to Israel
and Egypt, Egypt rejects it
November 5th: Port
Fuad and Port Said
captured by the French
and British
November
8th:
Hostilities
end
March 1st, 1957:
Israel agrees to
withdraw from Sinai and
the Gaza Strip
...
October 31st: Canal zone
attacked by Anglo-French
forces/Israel occupies Gaza
Strip & points of the Sinai
peninsula
November 6th:
Financial pressure from
the US forces a
ceasefire
March 21st-22nd:
UN peacekeepers
arrive/Anglo-French
forces leave
Sources: http://novaonline.nvcc.edu and Fraser text
Perspectives and Key Players
Ben- Gurion
● Prime Minister of Israel, two terms, 1948- 1953.
● Israel had won the 1948 War which enhanced his
position. Spent his time dealing with the threat of
attacks from Arab nations.
● Since the 1948 War they had avoided conflict, however
there was an atmosphere of tension.
● Until then, the Gaza had been Israel's troublesome
frontier. In February 1955, Israeli army attacked
Egyptian military outposts in the Gaza.
● Because Nasser threatened Western interests in the
Suez Canal, Ben-Gurion began secret talks with Britain
and France about striking the Sinai.
NASSER
1952
● Nasser distinguished
himself in the war
● Became president
● Champion of Arab
Nationalism
1953
● Blockade on Israeli Shipping Through Canal
● Egyptian Coast Guards Intercepted Ships
● Restricted Commerce through straits
Nasser Cont....
1956
● Suez Canal Nationalized
Surprised the Whole World
● Britain, France, Israel plotted to overthrow
Nasser
● The canal was a
shameful reminder of
Egypt's colonial past
Britain and France
● Desire to control the Canal
● 1956 French and British
overtook Suez Canal
16th Independent Parachute Brigade Group:
British group to strike against Egypt
● Planned an attack with Israel
● Within ten days they controlled the Suez
Region
● Rest of the world shunned
Britain and France for their
actions in the crisis
President Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower was born October
14th 1890, in a small town in Texas. He grew to
be a successful military commander and the
34th president of the United States. His
moderate republican policies helped make him
very popular. While he is known for being a
very strong leader he disliked dealing with
issues involving racial equality and he had a
very indirect way of dealing with the political
issues he faced.
Key Battles
The Plan
●
●
●
●
Worked out by 3 prime ministers
Initial attack Oct. 29
Dayan's Troops Advanced into Sinai
Britain & France would issue ultimatum to
Israel and Egypt
● British bombers destroyed air force and
disrupt communications and military
capabilities
● Anglo-French paratroopers into Cyprus and
Seaborne forces into Malta
How the Battle Actually Occurred
Oct 29th
● 4 pronged advance
○ 2 aimed at the canal
○ third and fourth seal off Gaza Strip and seal off
Sharm al Sheik
● October 31st British and French bombers
began air attacks
○ Nasser retaliated sinking ships to block canal
○ Israel had overrun part of Sinai Peninsula
● United Nations entered picture 30th of Oct
● Nov 6 Britain had yet to yield
What the Soviets Thought of Outcome
● Suez Crisis = windfall
○ British and French were digging their own graves in
Middle East
○ U.S seemed to be doing their best to help
● British and French main losers in Suez Affair
● Suez became another Dien Bien Phu
● Nasser clearly became Master of Suez
Canal
The Final Outcome...
Parties:
Arabs- Nasser's nationalism= a success, won
canal, gained hero status.
Israelis- under pressure to withdraw,
evacuated most territories conquered from
Egypt and Nov 15th UNEF (United Nations
Emergency Force) replaced troops, last
territories were evacuated in Gaza Strip and
east coast of Sinai Peninsula to Straits of Tiran
(upon U.S. guarantee of right to free passage in
the Gulf of Aqaba), and gaurantee of UNEF
The Final Outcome (cont.)
British & French- lost sway in Mid. East, low
moral, abandoned by strongest Mid. East ally,
basically lost. Realized no longer a world power
in the Middle East.
United States- Anglo-French world politics
depend on U.S. decisions suddenly.
Overview:
Egypt won, Anglo-French lost, U.S. could not
help Brit/French, and Israel lost the gained
territory but U.S. guarantees.
Credits and Sources
Stoessinger, John. Why Nations Go to War. Wadsworth
Cengage Learning, 2004. Print.
History 20th Century Wolrd: Authortiarian and Single-Party
States
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu
Fraser text