Suez Crisis in 1956

The Suez Crisis, also named the Tripartite Aggression, and the Kadesh Operation was an invasion of Egypt in late 1956 by Israel, followed by Britain & France. It all started with Egyptian president Nasser nationalising Suez Canal, thereby terminating French right to operate the canal for 99 years. As Suez Canal was Western European countries’ conduit for oil, so in order to regain control of the Suez, tripartite aggression of Israel, Britain and France has been termed as Suez Crisis. 

Britain and France had control over the canal for almost last 90 years owing to former’s control of Egypt and latter’s contribution in construction of Suez Canal. In the 20th Century Britain started granting partial independence to Egypt in phased manner, culminating into military coup by Colonel Nasser. 

Nasser’s vision to construct Aswan Dam, and to end British occupation of Egypt completely and to build Egyptian forces to counter Israel can be considered as the most prominent cause epitomising into Suez crisis. 

Egypt had been involved in continuous tension with the newly created State of Israel. It also procured arms from USSR and refused to sign Baghdad Pact, irking Western forces. Moreover, Britain and France were fast losing control over Asia and Africa and they wanted to keep Suez at any cost. They asked Israel to attack Egypt and entered themselves into war as a mediating force. 

Unfortunately for Britain, Suez proved to be a disaster in the form of heavy criticism in UN, differences with US and even opposition from their own people. The image of super power had already been shifted to US and USSR and the Suez crisis demonstrated Britain’s inability to have a say even in its very recent colony. It failed to persuade even its friends in its support. Britain could no longer dictate its wishes and had to rely heavily on US from hence on. 

As a result of Suez Crisis, United Nations deployed the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) on Egyptian-Israeli border. Historians conclude that Suez Crisis “signified the end of Great Britain’s role as one of the world’s major power.”