History - Suez Crisis 1956

By hollidaya12

  • Arab-Israeli War Ended

    Defeat for Arabs

  • King of Egypt overthrown

    A secret group called the Free Officers were plotting to overthrow the government because they believed King Faruq was corrupt and controlled by the British. In 1952 the Egyptian Revolution he was overthrown to try and end British occupation of the country.

  • Nasser Becomes President of Egypt

    After General Naguib, Colonel Nasser took over as President. He aimed for social justice and Arab unity, modernisation policies and large industrial projects. He also made Egypt fully independent of British influence.

  • February - Israeli attack on Gaza

    Nasser wanted a neutral country and did not want to join an anti-soviet alliance. This concerned the West, and Israel was also upset because they believed Egypt encouraged Palestinian raids. They attacked Egyptian army headquarters in Gaza and killed 25 Egyptians.

  • September - Egypt announced Czech Arms Deal

    The USSR and Egypt made a deal to supply Egypt with more than $250 million worth of Soviet Weaponry, through Czechoslovakia. This was a big deal because of the Cold War.

  • July - Nationalisation of Suez Canal (from private to public ownership)

    Nasser believed that the Suez Canal belonged to Egypt and they had a right to control it. They forcefully took hold and made it neutral territory.

  • October 29th - Israeli Forces Invade Egypt

    Israeli Air Force launched a series of attacks on Egyptian positions all over the Sinai Desert. Israeli forces pushed into Egypt towards the Suez Canal.

  • November 6th - UN ceasefire and Anglo-French withdrawal

    Eisenhower, President of the US, warned the Soviets that reckless talk of nuclear conflict would make the situation worse. He also warned the French, British, and Israelis, and was noticeably upset with the British for not telling him about their plans. The UN issued a ceasefire, which was quite successful.

  • October 30th - Britain and France bomb Egypt

    The Israelis were joined by the French and British forces, and when they chose to bomb Egyptian airfields, the US was upset. The French invaded the Suez Canal and took control. However, the Soviet Union got involved as well by threatening to drop nuclear missiles on the West if they didn't withdraw.