What was the strategic importance of the Suez Canal for the British?

The Suez Canal was constructed in 1869 allowing faster sea transport to India, which increased Britain’s long-standing strategic interest in the Eastern Mediterranean. Britain established a protectorate over Cyprus in 1878, and to suppress a nationalist revolt that threatened its interests, occupied Egypt in 1882.

What is the Suez disaster?

The Suez Crisis, or the Second Arab–Israeli war, also called the Tripartite Aggression (Arabic: العدوان الثلاثي‎, romanized: Al-ʿUdwān aṯ-Ṯulāṯiyy) in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel, was an invasion of Egypt in late 1956 by Israel, followed by the United Kingdom and France.

What is the importance of Suez Canal?

The Suez Canal is important because it is the shortest maritime route from Europe to Asia. Prior to its construction, ships headed toward Asia had to embark on an arduous journey around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.

How did the Suez Crisis of 1956 affect the US?

U.S. Department of State. 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.

How long was the Suez Canal closed for?

The canal was closed to traffic for five months while Royal Navy salvage teams worked on clearing them. The 1956 Suez Crisis, when Britain along with France and Israel invaded Egypt to recover control of the Suez Canal, was arguably one of the most significant episodes in post-1945 British history.

Why did Nasser attack the Suez Canal?

Nasser’s action was an act of revenge against the British and the French, who had previously held control of the company that controlled the Canal. This con›ict precipi- tated an international crisis over ownership and operation of the Suez Canal.

When did Egypt nationalize the Suez Canal?

For more information, please see the full notice. On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company, the joint British-French enterprise which had owned and operated the Suez Canal since its construction in 1869.