British Imperialism in the Suez Canal
On 26 July 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser, the Egyptian President, nationalized the Suez Canal. He had no knowledge of the outcome of his actions when he first announced his intentions in receiving ownership of the canal. This was a huge eye opener for world trade and travel since it is considered the shortest water way between Europe and Asia. This passageway saves immense amount of extra days and fuel usage to decrease the cost of the journey as well as the movement of goods, most significantly oil. The Suez Canal was a critical point that was built to connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea and was owned by the British government and French shareholders. The Suez Canal was a huge influence in the Middle East, in which Britain, then Soviets or the U.S., would clash and debate for imperial power and to have economic power while imposing an eastern question to Egyptian rule in owning the Suez Canal.
The nationalizing of the Suez Canal was the main spark to raising tension over imperial power. It put all eyes on the precious waterway which would lead to serious confutations. "If Mussaddiq [sic] could get away with nationalizing the oil industry in Iran," wrote William Roger Louis, "might not Nasser be inspired to nationalize the Suez Canal Company?” (Israeli, Ofer. 2013) Many sought this nationalization as insufficient under the majority view of the time kept under Egyptian decision. This was the starting point for British military to move in to protect the Suez from other world powers. Egypt was a part of the Ottoman Empire as Britain found them weak and useful to strike their political power quickly. Nasser (Egypt's Prime Minister) responded by sinking all 40 ships present in the canal closing it to all shipping – shipping would not move again until early 1957. Nasser was increasingly seen to be a threat to western interests. This action went against The 1888 Convention of Constantinople that proves arguments against closing the canal, and provides proposals for its developmental functions. “In 1888, all major European powers signed the binding treaty establishing the neutrality of the Suez Canal. The agreement guaranteed: free and open passage to all sea going nations in times of war and peace” (Pierre, Maj 1992) While many argue the closing of the canal, the British, English, and Islamic attacks lead to international criticism and diplomatic pressure. The Egyptians did not like the idea of British imperialism of their homeland. Many protested in the streets with signs and chants of hatred. The British had no feelings for the Egyptian people as they asserted themselves onto their land as seen in "21 Historic Photos from The Suez Crisis." The photo shows a great deal of commotion throughout the streets of Cairo against the British and French Invasion of the Suez Canal area. It was an unfair and very direct action of vigorous conquest to the Egyptian people. The Egyptians felt as if they were little kids to the intruding military power. Revolts and riots started to break out with chaos progressing with more and more arriving soldiers. Many newspapers were posted all over Great Britain to gain support for this quick attack. The press was huge contribution to what was going on at the Suez. It was a time of desperate desire for the British to gain secure ground at the Suez to fend of the prestigious waterway.
With the imperializing of Egypt's Suez Canal, the British have gained economic power through world-wide trade. The Suez Canal was a significant issue for the Great Britain to be able to pass their Naval ships through and also Middle Eastern liquefied gas which was a huge import for British trade. This canal was a powerful symbol of the simultaneous acceleration and deceleration that was characteristic of this global junction. (Huber, Valeska. 2013) This waterway was the key to regaining power for the British after a decimating loss in World War 2. They tried to keep this great power out of the hands of the rising Soviet Union who was very interested in gaining control. Many feared that the canal would fall under the wrong hands which could lead to disastrous actions. Russia was gaining support from Arabian allainces after an armistice violation discussion in the Security Council. The Soviets were already a very powerful growing nation which unknowingly could have been unstoppable with the ownership the waterway. Frustrated with French duplicity and strapped for funds, the Khedive Ismail in 1875 offered his shares in the Canal Company to the British government, and the British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, readily accepted the deal. (Duchanan, Scott 1997) This was a powerful position in taking shares of this important company. It gave Britain leverage to acquire higher status of imperial power. This showed the trust between Ismail and Great Britain through a chaotic period. The British found hope and used whatever advantage they could get to keep this significant piece of power. This action was important in saving another devastating clash of superpowers which could have led to series of very unfortunate events. The main action was to secure the canal from the slowly depleting Ottoman Empire to keep it out of the hands of others.
This waterway was the key ingredient for a world-wide debate in what is known as the Eastern question. Everyone wanted to get their hands on that canal in order to build a world known superpower. It all lied in the hands of the decaying Ottoman Empire controlling the Balkan Peninsula. Many nations locked in on this canal like Great Britain, France and Islam which all led attacks at Port said to start the globalization into Egyptian land. The internal change in the Turkish domains created a sense of urgency to take advantage of political disarray and to begin to use it in the hopes of increasing its own influence among other nations. (Verbeek, Bertjan. 2003) Each nation wanted to see this crisis with the hope of earning the maximum advantage. On Oct. 14, 1956, The United Nations Security Council discussed the support of the resolution operation of the Suez Canal. The first action they came up with was, “There should be free and open transit through the Canal without discrimination, overt or covert—this covers both political and technical aspects” This was to make the Suez not a constant battle, but a rightful passage way to bring the world together for the better rather than the worse. While the Council progressed, the United Nations decided upon main new ways and functions of how and what the canal is use for and by whom occupies it. The 6th was “in case of disputes, unresolved affairs between the Suez Canal Company and the Egyptian Government should be settled by arbitration with suitable terms of reference and suitable provisions for the payment of sums found to be due.” This was rightfully discussed to bring a more prosperous new beginning for world travel and trade in foreign lands. It allowed for there to be peace throughout the area and began the important stage of renewing economies and rebuilding nations. Great Britain was one of the major nations that were in need of major economic help. They had to abandon their dreams of restoring their colonial glory. President Roosevelt almost sold the bonds that were meant for economic catastrophe for the British allies. This action almost took place because of the selfish actions taken by the British that almost caused another sickening war and the hope in avoiding another serious world conflict. The British got very lucky in their conquest of the Suez Canal as many huge problems could have arisen if it wasn’t for the fight for world peace and prosperous world. The British contributed to the Eastern Question as a nation that conquered the empire for neediness which sequentially resulted in a devastation defeat of the Ottoman Empire to the Soviets. The British were now on a very slow uphill movement to implement themselves back into a great nation once again and begin to look for new ways of travel and improving their economic status in the world.
The Suez crisis ended Great Britain's influential position in the Middle East. The British had suffered greatly in economic status and sustainably stepped down from world-wide superpower. The Suez Canal was a vital piece of land that brought superpowers to clash and discuss the ways in which the canal should be settled. The Suez Canal was a huge influence in the Middle East, in which Britain, then Soviets or the U.S., would clash and argue for imperial power and to have economic power while imposing an eastern question to owning the Suez Canal. The canal still remains as a major landmark for International trade and safely quick travel. The Suez Crisis of 1956 will remain as one of the biggest world debates in the history of international conflict and one of the greatest waterways the world has seen.