The Suez Canal CrisisBy: Nikki, Michael, Taylor, Kylee, Danica,

and Michaela.

Timeline

1953: Nasser introduces blockades/restricts Israeli commerce

July 19th, 1956: America and Britain decide not to finance the Aswan High Dam

July 26th: Nasser announces nationalization of the Canal

July 28th: Egyptian assets in London frozen by the British

August 1st: Talks about the Canal are held between Britain, France, and the US

...

October 29th: Israeli paratroops drop on Sinai

...

October 30th: Anglo-French ultimatum issued to Israel and Egypt, Egypt rejects it

October 31st: Canal zone attacked by Anglo-French forces/Israel occupies Gaza Strip & points of the Sinai peninsula

November 5th: Port Fuad and Port Said captured by the French and British

November 6th: Financial pressure from the US forces a ceasefire

Sources: http://novaonline.nvcc.edu and Fraser text

November 8th: Hostilities end

March 21st-22nd: UN peacekeepers arrive/Anglo-French forces leave

March 1st, 1957:Israel agrees to withdraw from Sinai and the Gaza Strip

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 Nationalism1953 ● 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 ashameful reminder ofEgypt's colonial past

Britain and France

● Desire to control the Canal● 1956 French and British overtook Suez Canal16th 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 preventing raids.

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