In a resolution before the United Nations, the United States also called for the evacuation of Israeli, French, and British forces from Egypt under the supervision of a special United Nations force. Nasser nationalized the canal after the United States and Britain reneged on a previous agreement to finance the Aswan Dam project. Canada helped keeping 'World Peace' as the situation worsen in the mid years of the Cold War. By Laurie Milner Last updated 2011-03-03. Become a Study.com member to unlock this Britain and France, however, viewed the situation as a threat to their national interests. This force arrived in Egypt in mid-November. On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the British and French owned Suez Canal Company that operated the Suez Canal. This strategic location enabled Egypt to become one of the world’s highways; the gateway to East, a statement reinforced by the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. The Suez Crisis of 1956, in which the Egyptian Government seized control of the Suez Canal from the British and French owned company that managed it, had important consequences for U.S. relations with both Middle Eastern countries and European allies. Lester B. Pearson was awarded the 'Nobel Peace Prize' as a reward for his great efforts. Although the United State was concerned about Nasser's nationalization of the canal, it sought a diplomatic solution to the problem. Due to the Suez Crisis, Lester B. Pearson was later on voted as the Prime Minister of Canada. Previously, the canal had been controlled by Britain and France. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Suez Crisis, 1956. It was a military defeat for Egypt, but Nasser's status grew in the Arab world as the defender of Arab nationalism. All rights reserved. The Significance Of The Suez Crisis. Nasser's decision threatened British and French stock holdings in the Company and, as the Canal afforded Western countries access to Middle Eastern oil, also threatened to cut off Europe's oil supply. What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis, and did it deal a final blow to Britain's self-image as a world power to be reckoned with? The Aswan Dam was designed to control the Nile's flood waters and provide electricity and water to the Egyptian populace and, as such, was a symbol of Egypt's modernization. It began with Egypt taking control of the Suez Canal which was followed by a military attack from Israel, France, and Great Britain. Israel willingly agreed to this scenario since it gave Israel the opportunity to gain control of the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula, end the Egyptian blockade of the Straits of Tiran, and retaliate against Egypt over its support for Palestinian commando raids on Israel's western border during the previous two years. Britain and France issued their ultimatum and landed troops, effectively carrying out the agreed upon operation. Lester B. Pearson was awarded the 'Nobel Peace Prize' as a reward for his great efforts. Britain and France would then land paratroopers in the Canal Zone on the pretense of protecting it. Oct 1: A 15 nation Suez Canal Users Association is officially formed. Canada got its new flag due to the Suez Crisis. Oct 13: Anglo-French proposal for the control of the Suez Canal is … The Suez Crisis of 1956, in which the Egyptian Government seized control of the Suez Canal from the British and French owned company that managed it, had important consequences for U.S. relations with both Middle Eastern countries and European allies. They secretly contacted the Israeli Government and proposed a joint military operation in which Israel would invade the Sinai and march toward the Suez Canal zone after which Britain and France would issue a warning to both Egypt and Israel to stay away from the Canal. The Suez Crisis broke out in 1956 after Israel invaded Egypt in response to Egypt's seizure of the Suez Canal. The United States and Britain withdrew their financing for the Aswan Dam after Nasser made several moves that appeared friendly to the communist block, including an arms deal with Czechoslovkaia and recognition of the Chinese Government in Beijing. The 1956 Suez Crisis was a military and political confrontation in Egypt that threatened to divide the United States and Great Britain, potentially harming the Western military alliance that had won the Second World War. - Definition & WWI, The Unification of Italy: Summary, Timeline & Leaders, The Cold War: Definition, Causes & Early Events, Two Super Powers: The United States and the Soviet Union, Post-Civil War U.S. History: Help and Review, Post-Civil War American History: Homework Help, American History Since 1865: Tutoring Solution, History, Culture & People of the Americas, TCI History Alive The Medieval World and Beyond: Online Textbook Help, Prentice Hall United States History: Online Textbook Help, Prentice Hall America: History of our Nation: Online Textbook Help, History 311: The Holocaust & World War II, Biological and Biomedical The ensuing Suez Crisis threatened regional stability and challenged the U.S. relationship with two primary Cold War allies, Britain and France. Services, Causes, Timeline & Effects of the Suez Crisis, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Moreover, relations between the United States and its British and French allies temporarily deteriorated in the months following the war. When these disagreements resurfaced, the United States would again be drawn into the conflicts. Just from $13/Page. The Six-Day War of 1967: Causes & Timeline, The Sino-Soviet Split: History, Causes & Effects, The Korean War: Causes, Effects and The United Nations, The Suez Canal: History, Location & Importance, The Creation of Israel in 1948: Timeline & Resulting Conflicts, Gorbachev's Policies of Glasnost and Perestroika: Explanation and Significance, Causes, Events & Political Figures of the Gulf War, United States Involvement in the Korean War: Causes and Effects, The Effects of the Nuclear Arms Race on Cold War Politics, Egypt Under European Rule: Summary & Timeline, Boxer Rebellion in China: Definition, Summary & History, What Was the Mandate System? In contrast, Soviet influence in the Middle East grew, especially in Syria where the Soviets began to supply arms and advisers to the Syrian military. Oct 7: Israeli foreign minister Golda Meir says the UN failure to resolve the Suez Crisis means they must take military action. The Suez Crisis was an event in the Middle East in 1956. Canadian significance of Suez Crisis . Canada was no longer dependent on Britain to make decisions for them. The Suez conflict fundamentally altered the regional balance of power. How has conflict impacted the Suez Canal?