What caused the Suez Crisis of 1956?

The Suez Crisis of 1956 was caused by Egypt's nationalisation of the Suez Canal, provoking military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel.

In the mid-20th century, the Suez Canal was a vital artery of global trade, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and providing a shortcut between Europe and Asia. The canal was controlled by the Suez Canal Company, which was owned primarily by British and French interests. However, in July 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced the nationalisation of the canal, intending to use the tolls to fund the construction of the Aswan High Dam after the withdrawal of funding by the United States and Britain.

This move was seen as a direct threat to Western strategic and economic interests. Britain and France, already feeling the loss of their colonial empires, were unwilling to lose control over such a vital asset. They feared that Nasser's move could inspire other nationalist movements in their remaining colonies and dependencies. Moreover, they were concerned about the potential disruption to the flow of Middle Eastern oil to Europe.

Israel, on the other hand, was motivated by ongoing border disputes and conflicts with Egypt. The nationalisation of the Suez Canal was seen as a further escalation of the threat posed by Egypt. Israel saw an opportunity to strike a blow against Egypt and potentially gain control over the Straits of Tiran, a crucial waterway for Israeli shipping.

In response, Britain, France, and Israel hatched a secret plan to regain control of the canal. Israel would invade the Sinai Peninsula, giving Britain and France a pretext to intervene militarily under the guise of separating the warring parties and ensuring the canal's continued operation. This led to the Suez Crisis, a major international incident that highlighted the declining power of the old colonial powers and the rising influence of the United States and the Soviet Union in global affairs.