The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression was a war fought by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Suez War
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression was a war fought by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956
KEY ISSUES
Why did Britain and France become so involved?
Britain and US wanted an alliance with Egypt as she was the strongest and most developed Arab nation and because the Suez Canal passed through its territory. So when Nasser bought Russian arms from Czechoslovakia, it shocked the West. They were also angered when Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal.
Why was Israel involved too?
Israel wanted to end border raids in Gaza and to hit back at Egypt for encouraging Palestinian raids into Israel.
Who won and who lost the war?
Nasser seemed to have won the war because many of the Arab-States were more anti-western and were willing to seek Russian aid. Also the US began to supply most of Egypt’s weapons and to pay for the building of the Aswan dam and many other projects.
Britain, France and Israel lost the war as they did not get what they wanted. At the UN, many Arab states and the US condemned Britain and France’s actions and stopped oil supply to the West.
Britain and US wanted an alliance with Egypt as she was the strongest and most developed Arab nation and because the Suez Canal passed through its territory. So when Nasser bought Russian arms from Czechoslovakia, it shocked the West. They were also angered when Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal.
Why was Israel involved too?
Israel wanted to end border raids in Gaza and to hit back at Egypt for encouraging Palestinian raids into Israel.
Who won and who lost the war?
Nasser seemed to have won the war because many of the Arab-States were more anti-western and were willing to seek Russian aid. Also the US began to supply most of Egypt’s weapons and to pay for the building of the Aswan dam and many other projects.
Britain, France and Israel lost the war as they did not get what they wanted. At the UN, many Arab states and the US condemned Britain and France’s actions and stopped oil supply to the West.
Who is Nasser?
Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein was the second President of Egypt from 1956 until his death.
He had a friendly relation with the West as Egypt was an important Arab support against communism in the Middle East. However, he also bought Russian arms form Czechoslovakia.
He was the main culprit for the Suez Crisis as he wanted to strengthen his army when Israel hit back at Egypt for encouraging Palestinian raids into Israel. So when he bought the Russian arms from Czechoslovakia, it ended Egypt’s reliance on Western arms together with alliance with Britain and France.
Why did Nasser nationalise the Suez Canal?
In retaliation for the US Secretary of State John Dulles announcing withdrawal of US funds and assistance for the building of Aswan High Dam, a huge project on the river Nile for creating hydroelectric power for Egyptian industries and land irrigation purposes.
Nasser wanted to show that he had control over something that they want as well, so as to get back funds for the Aswan High Dam and show that Egypt was not a good country to bully.
Nasser wanted to show that he had control over something that they want as well, so as to get back funds for the Aswan High Dam and show that Egypt was not a good country to bully.
Development and explaination of fighting of Suez, 1956
When Nasser bought Russian arms from Czechoslovakia in 1955, it shocked the West as it was a sign of support for communism in the Middle East.
In retaliation, in July 1956, Britain and USA refused to lend Egypt any more money to build the Aswan High Dam that is very important for Egypt industries and economy.
Nasser then responded to the withdrawing of funds by proclaiming the nationalization of the Suez Canal.
Britain and France was so angered that they withdrew their pilots who guided ships through the canal.
On 24th October, British and French foreign ministers secretly met Israeli PM, David in France to plan a joint campaign against Nasser, for the issues recognizing Israel and releasing control of the Suez Canal.
On 29th October, the Tripartite Invasion of France, Britain and Israel started (Operation Kadesh) Israeli forces invaded the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and advanced towards the Suez Canal. The following day, Britain and France ordered Egypt and Israel to cease fighting and withdraw 16km from the Canal.
Nasser refused.
On 31 October, British and French planes bombed Egyptian airfields and destroyed most of the air force.
On November 5th British and French troops landed at Port Said and advanced along the canal. Egypt sank ships to block the canal.
Who won the war?
The imposed end to the crisis signalled the definitive weakening of the United Kingdom and France as global powers. Middle-sized powers were no longer free to act independently. Nasser's standing in the Arab world was greatly improved, with his stance helping to promote pan-Arabism. Although Egyptian forces had stood no chance against the three allies, many Egyptians believed that Nasser had won the war militarily. I think that he has actually won as he has succeeded politically and gave confidence to other Arab states, even though militarily he may not have won.
I think that the real winner should be Nasser. Nasser stood to his stand throughout the war, even though he was losing militarily. He did not give up on Suez Canal, as if he did, the war would have ended with The Tripartite aggressors winning. IN the end with the aid of UN pressure, The Tripartite were forced out of Egypt and it made like Egypt had won the war, but this would not have happened if Nasser gave up the Suez Canal. Therefore, the aftermath was that pan-Arabism was promoted and it proved to Arab states that the UK and France were weakening as global powers, and middle sized powers were no longer free to act independently.
I think that the real winner should be Nasser. Nasser stood to his stand throughout the war, even though he was losing militarily. He did not give up on Suez Canal, as if he did, the war would have ended with The Tripartite aggressors winning. IN the end with the aid of UN pressure, The Tripartite were forced out of Egypt and it made like Egypt had won the war, but this would not have happened if Nasser gave up the Suez Canal. Therefore, the aftermath was that pan-Arabism was promoted and it proved to Arab states that the UK and France were weakening as global powers, and middle sized powers were no longer free to act independently.
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