Suez Canal Crisis

By avivar15

  • Egypt Announces the Nationalization of the Suez Canal

    President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt announces nationalization of the Suez Canal following the refusal and withdrawal by the United States and Britain to help fund the Aswan Dam project. They both claimed it was because of the state of the Egyptian economy, but it may have had more to do with Egypt's decision to trade with communist China, and buy weapons from Czechosolvakia which is Soviet controlled.
  • Period: to

    The Suez Canal Crisis

  • Diplomatic Talks Between Powers

    Britain, the US, and France discuss the rapid escalation of the Suez Crisis.

  • Britain's Quick Response

    Britain mobilizes armed forces to Egypt following it's diplomatic talks with the US and France.

  • International Conference in London

    An international conference of 22 nations is held in London to discuss the Suez Canal Crisis. The nations attempt to find a diplomatic solution to the problem. Egyptian President Nasser refuses to attend the conference.

  • Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies Visits the Canal

    President Nasser rejects plans for international management of the canal.

  • Suez Canal Users Association (SCUA)

    Britain, France, and the US go ahead with their plans for a Suez Canal Users Association despite Egypt's rejection.

  • SCUA is officailly launched

  • United Nations Security Council Meets to Discuss Endorsing SCUA

    No vote is taken.

  • Protocol of Sevres is Signed in Paris in Secret by Britain, France, and Israel

    The three countries agree on Operation Musketeer to invade Egypt. Israel is to attack the Egyptian Army near the canal as a pretext for military intervention by Britain and France. Israel had been angered by crossborder raids from the Sinai peninsula and it also wanted to break the Arab blockade of the Gulf of Aqaba to win a secure an outlet to Asia and Africa from its port of Eilat.

  • Israel Invades

    Israel invades the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Troops begin to progress towards the canal zone.

  • Britain and France Begin it's Bombing Campaign

    Do so to attempt to force reopening the canal, but Nasser responds by sinking 40 ships and cutting oil supply to Europe.

  • First Emergency Meeting of United Nations

    Calls for a ceasefire is vetoed by Britain and France because they claim to be acting like a police force in international interests. The US is anxious for peace with pressure over the Hungarian uprising.

  • Anglo-French Forces Invade

    668 British paratroopers were dropped at Gamil airfield, while 470 French paratroopers landed at 2 bridges on the canal at Rawsa after the United Nations' ultimatum for a ceasefire expires.

  • United Nations Ceasefire Comes Into Force After More Pressure from the United States

    Britain and France agree to a ceasefire after they are pressured from the international community led by the US. Commanders plan for UN troops to arrive in Egypt within days.

  • First United Nations Troops Land at Port Said

  • Britian Begins Military Withdrawal From Egypt

    Does so after being pressured to do so by the US.

  • British and French Troops Complete Withdrawal

    The UNEF takes control of the Suez Canal.

  • British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden Resignss

    Believed to be because of the Suez Crisis.