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Suez Crisis: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · The Canal's Colonial Shadow —
Suez Crisis.
~6 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
In 1869, the Suez Canal opened to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. This waterway provided the shortest ocean link for global trade between Europe and Asia. The French and Egyptian governments financed its construction initially. By 1875, Egypt faced a financial crisis that forced it to sell shares in the operating company. The British government purchased these shares for £4 million. This transaction gave Britain a 44% stake in the canal operations. In 1882, British forces invaded Egypt to secure their interests. They took de facto control of the country and its finances. The 1888 Convention of Constantinople declared the canal a neutral zone under British protection. Despite this agreement, Britain closed the canal during conflicts like the Russo-Japanese War of 1904, 05. During World War I, both Britain and France restricted non-Allied shipping through the waterway.
Nasser Seizes Power
British forces attempted to disarm an auxiliary police barracks in Ismailia on January 1952. This action resulted in the deaths of 41 Egyptians. Anti-Western riots erupted in Cairo following these events. On the 23rd of July 1952, the Free Officers Movement led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew King Farouk. A military coup established the Republic of Egypt shortly after. The monarchy was abolished and replaced by a republic. Nasser consolidated power within the new government structure. He sought to establish Egypt as the head of the Arab world. His regime opposed Western security initiatives in the Near East. Nasser believed that neither his regime nor Egypt's independence would be safe until he achieved leadership status among Arab nations. He developed a feud with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Said for control of regional influence. By 1956, Nasser had aligned Egypt with Saudi Arabia to frustrate British efforts to draw Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon into a pro-British bloc.
The Nationalization Decree
On the 26th of July 1956, President Nasser announced the nationalisation of the canal during a speech in Alexandria. He used the name Ferdinand de Lesseps as a code-word for Egyptian forces to seize control. Egypt closed the canal and the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping immediately. They also blockaded the Gulf of Aqaba, which violated the Constantinople Convention of 1888. This decision surprised Britain and its Commonwealth partners. There had been no discussion of the canal at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference in late June. Prime Minister Anthony Eden faced immense domestic pressure from Conservative MPs who compared events to the Munich Agreement of 1938. The US government did not support British protests against the seizure. Eden decided on military intervention to keep oil supplies flowing. He believed that Parliament would support his actions despite opposition from Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell. Gaitskell warned that any action violating the United Nations Charter would be unacceptable. In letters sent on August 3 and 10, he condemned Nasser but refused to back armed attacks.
Secret Alliances Formed
France, Israel, and the United Kingdom reached a secret agreement regarding political and military cooperation. Discussions held between October 22 and 24 took place in Sèvres, France. Under the Protocol of Sèvres, Israel would attack Egypt on October 29. The British and French governments planned to issue a joint appeal for both sides to cease firing and withdraw 10 miles from the canal. If forces rejected this demand, the Western powers would attack on October 31. Israeli planning began in July when General Moshe Dayan advised attacking Egypt at the first chance. Ben-Gurion preferred to attack with French aid rather than alone. On September 5, Britain learned of the secret Franco-Israeli alliance. French Prime Minister Guy Mollet had decided to attack Egypt with Britain or Israel if necessary. The French wanted to use British airfields in Cyprus to bomb Egypt. They also sought to use Israeli airfields if those in Cyprus were unavailable. Only on October 5 did the British learn of the full scope of the alliance. This coordination allowed for a synchronized invasion strategy targeting Egyptian positions across Sinai and the Canal Zone.
Battlefield Chaos Unfolds
Fighting began on October 29 at about 3:00 pm when Israeli Air Force Mustangs attacked Egyptian positions. Field Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer treated reports as a large raid instead of an invasion initially. By the time he realized his mistake, Israelis had made significant advances into Sinai. The Israeli 9th Infantry Brigade captured Ras al-Naqb during the night of October 29-30. That same night, the 4th Infantry Brigade stormed al-Qusaymah. Ariel Sharon's forces assaulted Themed in a dawn attack and stormed the town with armor. Sharon then attacked Egyptian positions at Jebel Heitan where Egyptians retreated after suffering heavy losses. Over 260 Egyptian soldiers died while only 38 Israelis fell in that battle. On November 1, Nasser ordered pilots to disengage and fly planes to southern bases. Israeli Dassault Mystère jets attacked HMS Crane which was patrolling approaches to the Gulf of Aqaba. Three crewmen were wounded in this mistaken identity incident. The city of Rafah became strategically important to Israel by early November. Dayan ordered IDF forces to break through rather than reduce every strongpoint. Israeli tanks encircled Rafah on November 1 before its defenders abandoned posts outside the city.
Superpowers Intervene
The United States put financial pressure on Britain to end the invasion immediately. Between October 30 and November 2, the Bank of England lost $45 million due to market instability. Britain sought assistance from the IMF but received denial from American officials. Eisenhower ordered his treasury secretary George M. Humphrey to prepare selling US government sterling bond holdings. Harold Macmillan told Eden that foreign exchange reserves could not sustain devaluation of the pound. Within weeks, Britain would be unable to import sufficient food and energy supplies. Soviet Premier Nikolai Bulganin threatened to launch rocket attacks on Britain, France, and Israel. It later emerged that Soviets lacked ICBMs necessary for such an attack. West Germany's chancellor Konrad Adenauer supported the attack initially despite cabinet divisions. He feared the US and USSR would carve up the world according to their own interests. Adenauer strengthened relationships with Mollet and France during this period. The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 997 calling for immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of all forces behind armistice lines. The vote was 64 in favor with only Australia, New Zealand, Britain, France, and Israel opposing. Six nations abstained from voting entirely.
Aftermath And Legacy
Anthony Eden announced a ceasefire on November 6 without warning France or Israel beforehand. Troops remained in Port Said and operational maneuvers continued until December 22 when Anglo-French Task Force had to finish withdrawing. Israeli forces refused to host any UN force on territory they controlled. They withdrew from Sinai and Gaza in March 1957 after diplomatic struggles. Before leaving, Israeli troops systematically destroyed infrastructure including roads, railways, and telephone lines. Houses in villages like Abu Ageila and El Quseima were demolished by retreating soldiers. Canadian Armed Forces participated in UNEF operations starting later years since Canada spearheaded neutral force ideas. By the 24th of April 1957, the canal reopened fully to shipping traffic. Egypt maintained control of the waterway despite military defeat. Israel gained an eleven-year lull on its southern border following Operation Kadesh. The crisis demonstrated that Britain could no longer pursue independent foreign policy without US consent. Historians argue it signified the end of British superpower status. Nasser's standing strengthened significantly while Britain suffered international humiliation. The conflict also led to establishment of UN Emergency Force to police Egypt-Israel borders.
When did the Suez Canal open and who financed its construction?
The Suez Canal opened in 1869 to connect the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. The French and Egyptian governments initially financed its construction.
What happened on the 23rd of July 1952 during the Suez Crisis?
On the 23rd of July 1952, the Free Officers Movement led by Gamal Abdel Nasser overthrew King Farouk. This military coup established the Republic of Egypt and abolished the monarchy.
Why did President Nasser nationalise the canal on the 26th of July 1956?
President Nasser announced the nationalisation of the canal on the 26th of July 1956 to assert control over the waterway and frustrate British efforts to draw Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon into a pro-British bloc. He used Ferdinand de Lesseps as a code-word for Egyptian forces to seize control.
How did Israel attack Egypt during the Suez Crisis invasion?
Israeli Air Force Mustangs began fighting at about 3:00 pm on October 29 when they attacked Egyptian positions. Israeli tanks encircled Rafah on November 1 before defenders abandoned posts outside the city.
When did the Suez Canal reopen fully after the crisis ended?
The Suez Canal reopened fully to shipping traffic by the 24th of April 1957. Egypt maintained control of the waterway despite suffering a military defeat in the conflict.