The Suez Canal is still jammed by a container ship. But this is not the first time the canal has made headlines…
In 1956, a crisis over the canal led to a debacle that toppled a British prime minister and a shift in global power.
It’s time for a thread on the Suez Crisis👇👇👇
In 1956, a crisis over the canal led to a debacle that toppled a British prime minister and a shift in global power.
It’s time for a thread on the Suez Crisis👇👇👇
1) The Suez Canal was completed in 1869.
It took 11 years and 1.5 million workers to build and was financed by the French and Egyptian governments.
The shocking part?
120,000 workers' lives were sacrificed before it was finally completed…
It took 11 years and 1.5 million workers to build and was financed by the French and Egyptian governments.
The shocking part?
120,000 workers' lives were sacrificed before it was finally completed…
2) The canal provided the shortest ocean link between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.
It was, therefore, immediately of strategic importance for trade and commerce and gave European colonial powers quicker access to their colonies.
It was, therefore, immediately of strategic importance for trade and commerce and gave European colonial powers quicker access to their colonies.
3) When oil was discovered in the Persian Gulf in the early 1900s, the Suez Canal became a major conduit for its oil shipping.
By 1955, two-thirds of European oil passed through the Suez Canal.
By 1955, two-thirds of European oil passed through the Suez Canal.
4) The move by Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser (pictured) to seize control of the canal and nationalize it on July 26, 1956, thus, understandably, outraged European powers.
5) Nasser justified this action as necessary to finance the Aswan Dam on the river Nile, a project for which the US government had withdrawn funding.
British prime minister, Anthony Eden, vowed to reclaim the “great imperial lifeline”.
Time for some drama…
British prime minister, Anthony Eden, vowed to reclaim the “great imperial lifeline”.
Time for some drama…
6) Britain formed an alliance with France and Egypt’s neighbor and rival, Israel.
On October 29, troops invaded Egypt and quickly gained control of the area around the Suez Canal.
But the Egyptians blocked the canal to all shipping, making it useless…
On October 29, troops invaded Egypt and quickly gained control of the area around the Suez Canal.
But the Egyptians blocked the canal to all shipping, making it useless…
7) The invasion of Egypt was condemned by other world powers.
The Soviet Union, who was Egypt’s ally and had provided their weapons since 1955, threatened to use nuclear weapons against Western Europe.
The Soviet Union, who was Egypt’s ally and had provided their weapons since 1955, threatened to use nuclear weapons against Western Europe.
8) The US, upset that Britain had not consulted them prior to the invasion, threatened economic sanctions against the coalition.
The United Nations called for a cease-fire and dispatched armed forces to the Suez Canal.
This was the first time the UN used a peacekeeping force.
The United Nations called for a cease-fire and dispatched armed forces to the Suez Canal.
This was the first time the UN used a peacekeeping force.
9) International pressure achieved its desired result…
In December, Britain, and France withdrew their forces. Israel did not withdraw until March 1957.
In December, Britain, and France withdrew their forces. Israel did not withdraw until March 1957.
10) The Suez Crisis marked a change in the balance of world power.
Britain and France had dominated world diplomacy throughout most of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century.
After their withdrawal from Egypt, it was clear this was no longer the case…
Britain and France had dominated world diplomacy throughout most of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th Century.
After their withdrawal from Egypt, it was clear this was no longer the case…
11) The USA and the Soviet Union were now the most powerful nations in world affairs.
Anthony Eden (pictured) resigned just two months after the embarrassing incident.
Meanwhile, Nasser was hailed as a hero among Arab nations for withstanding an invasion by Western powers.
Anthony Eden (pictured) resigned just two months after the embarrassing incident.
Meanwhile, Nasser was hailed as a hero among Arab nations for withstanding an invasion by Western powers.
12) If you learned something, you should check out BrainFeed, the internet’s most interesting email that explains everything you should know in 4-minute bites.
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