The Suez Crisis of 1956: The End of British Influence & Imperialism

This study examines the Suez Crisis of 1956. In July of 1956, President Gamal Abdel Nasser ordered Egyptian forces to seize control of the Suez Canal, thereby nationalizing the Canal. This was a bold move for a relatively young leader, one with significant risk of not just backlash but potential to destabilize the as yet fledgling Egyptian Republic. Britain\u27s response was immediate, outrage and condemnation. The British government first sought to enlist the support of the United States to publicly shame Nasser for the move, coupled with efforts to force Nasser to re-internationalize the Canal through a UN resolution. British Prime Minister Eden abandoned this course of action when it became clear that he could not rely on the US to support the British position. Consequently, Eden conspired with France and Israel to invade Egypt under false pretense in an effort to reclaim the Canal and depose Nasser