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Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Suez crisis in 1956 - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 2
Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Suez crisis in 1956. You may use the following in your answer: - Nasser - British and French troops You ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Write a narrative account analysing the key events of the Suez crisis in 1956 - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Nasser and the Nationalization of the Suez Canal
Answer
In July 1956, President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, previously controlled by the Suez Canal Company, which was largely owned by British and French interests. This act was partly a response to the withdrawal of American and British funding for the construction of the Aswan Dam, a crucial infrastructure project for Egypt. Nationalizing the canal was a significant move to assert Egypt's sovereignty and improve its economy.
Step 2
Reaction from Britain and France
Answer
The nationalization was met with immediate condemnation from Britain and France, who feared that Nasser's actions would disrupt trade routes and undermine Western influence in the region. In response, the two nations conspired with Israel to take military action to regain control of the canal. This culminated in the Tripartite Aggression, where Israeli forces invaded Egypt on October 29, 1956.
Step 3
The Military Intervention
Answer
Following the Israeli invasion, Britain and France issued an ultimatum to Egypt and Israel, demanding a ceasefire and a withdrawal from the canal zone. When Nasser refused, British and French troops began bombing Egyptian positions and landed at Port Said on November 5, 1956. Their military intervention aimed to take control of the Suez Canal and restore Western dominance.
Step 4
International Response and Aftermath
Answer
The military actions led to significant international backlash, particularly from the United States and the Soviet Union. President Eisenhower pressured Britain and France to withdraw their troops, emphasizing that their actions violated the principles of the United Nations. The crisis ended with a ceasefire, and both Britain and France withdrew by December 1956. The event marked a decline in British and French imperial power and a rise in U.S. influence in the Middle East.