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Nasser, the president of Egypt, nationalized the Suez Canal in 1956. That provoked Great Britain and France and led to the Suez Crisis. Only the intervention of the United States and the Soviet Union could end this conflict.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 29 Oct 1956 – 07 Mar 1957
  • Location: Sinai & Suez Canal zone
  • Start: Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai
  • End: The last Israeli troops leave the Sinai

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • France
  • Great Britain
  • Israel
  • Egypt
  • Indirectly involved:
    • USA
    • Soviet Union

 

Background

  • Pan-Arabic & nationalist military officers take over in Egypt in 1952
  • Egypt starts conflicts with France & Great Britain:
    • Egypt affiliates herself with the Soviet Union
    • Egypt distance herself from the former hegemonial power Great Britain
    • Egypt supports the FLN against France in the Algerian War
  • The Egyptian-Israeli conflict heats up:
    • Fedayeen use Egyptian territory as a base for terrorist attacks on Israel
    • Egypt closes the Strait of Tiran & the Suez Canal for Israeli ships
  • Egypt nationalises the British-French Suez Canal

 

History

  • 26 Jul 1956: Egypt nationalises the Suez Canal
  • 24 Oct 1956: France, Britain & Israel agree on a joint operation against Egypt:
    • 1st: Israeli invasion
    • 2nd: French & British intervention to restore peace
  • 29 Oct 1956: Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip & the Sinai
  • 30 Oct 1956: French & British 12 hrs ultimatum to Egypt to withdraw her forces from the Suez canal
  • 31 Oct 1956: French & British forces start bombarding Egyptian positions
  • Nov 1956: Israeli forces continue their advance
  • From 05 Nov 1956: French & British paratroopers & Royal Marines occupy strategic positions in the Canal zone
  • Nov 1956: USA & Soviet Union pressure France, Great Britain & Israel:
    • USA threaten with economic measure
    • Soviet Union threatens with nuclear strikes
    • USA & SU condemn F, GB & IL in the UN
  • 24 Nov 1956: UN General Assembly demands the withdrawal of all troops
  • 22 Dec 1956: Allied forces have left the Canal zone / 07 Mar 1957 last Israeli soldier has left the Sinai

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Global impact
    • France & Britain lose their roles as primary global powers
    • Accelerated decolonisation
    • USA & Soviet Union strengthen their role as global powers:
      • Soviet Union crushes the Hungarian Revolution & consolidates its hemisphere
      • USA make more sole decisions without consulting with their European allies
  • Arab world:
    • Stronger influence of the Soviet Union in the Arab world
    • Strengthening of Nasser & the pan-Arabic movement
  • Israel:
    • Israel strives after military autonomy
    • Parallel to the military co-operation with France (until 1967, de Gaulle) Israel begins a military partnership with the United States
  • More Arab-Israeli conflicts & wars to come