Suez: Tête-à-tête-à-tête
It seems that the dispute over the Suez Canal has finally been
settled. In the end it is the underdog, Nasser’s Egypt, who controls the canal
over European forces. The Suez Canal represents the only direct means of travel
from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean.
It is because of this that tensions between countries wishing to control this canal have raised. Between these countries lie the names of France,
Britain, Israel, and Egypt. The Suez Canal was built between 1859 and 1869 by French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps. Great Britain had largely acquired rights to this canal due to the Anglo- Egyptian Treaty (1936) and had permission to maintain defense forces in this zone. This agreement did not last long for when President Gamal Abdel Nasser came into power, he believed the canal should be under Egyptian rule.
Consequently, Egypt demanded for Britain to withdraw their troops, and Britain did so in 1956. It is no surprise that many countries began to mistrust their relation with Egypt and the Suez Canal when Nasser began to set more limits on foreign access. Due to this Britain and the U.S, who had promised to help build a dam for the canal, now retracted those statement and based on this action Nasser nationalized the Canal on July 26, 1956.
(See "Imperialism in Middle East" for more examples on French Imperialism)
Britain, Israel, and Egypt. The Suez Canal was built between 1859 and 1869 by French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps. Great Britain had largely acquired rights to this canal due to the Anglo- Egyptian Treaty (1936) and had permission to maintain defense forces in this zone. This agreement did not last long for when President Gamal Abdel Nasser came into power, he believed the canal should be under Egyptian rule.
Consequently, Egypt demanded for Britain to withdraw their troops, and Britain did so in 1956. It is no surprise that many countries began to mistrust their relation with Egypt and the Suez Canal when Nasser began to set more limits on foreign access. Due to this Britain and the U.S, who had promised to help build a dam for the canal, now retracted those statement and based on this action Nasser nationalized the Canal on July 26, 1956.
(See "Imperialism in Middle East" for more examples on French Imperialism)
This course of action shocked the world, but angered French, British and Israeli stockholders who owned the Suez Canal Company. Nasser promised to recompense whatever fortune the stockholders had lost, but each country had other plans to overthrow Nasser and take back the canal. Israel was the first to attack claiming that Egypt had been planning an attack as well.
Israel failed to take back the canal. The French and British diplomatic attempts failed and it is then that they decided to send their troops to invade the canal. Upon hearing this news the United Nations stepped in and called for an immediate assembly to cease fire and clear thecanal from British and French troops. Reluctantly, French, British, and Israeli forces accepted defeat and left. The canal was returned to Egypt and reparations were paid by the World Bank. Finally this month, under the supervision of the U.N, the canal was once again opened for shipping but now under Egyptian control.
Test Questions!!!
*What action drove President Nasser to nationalize the Suez Canal?
After Nasser kicked British troops out of the canal, American and British forces agreed not to help aid the building of the Aswad Dam. This led to Nasser nationalizing the canal once and for all.
* Which three countries were most persistent upon controlling the Suez Canal?
A.) United States, Britain, France
B.) Britain, France, Russia
C.) France, Britain, Israel
D.) Russia, France, Britain
E.) Hungary, United States, Britain
Bibliography:
http://library.thinkquest.org/20176/suez.htm
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/Events/suez56.htm
B.) Britain, France, Russia
C.) France, Britain, Israel
D.) Russia, France, Britain
E.) Hungary, United States, Britain
Bibliography:
http://library.thinkquest.org/20176/suez.htm
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his135/Events/suez56.htm