 starter activity Map showing British Empire at its height in early twentieth century. If you were a school child at that time and looked at the map on the classroom wall, how would you feel ?

British overseas territories today. How would the same school child in the early 1900s feel about this map if they could have seen it?

 Your task. Pin the tail on Suez! Where do you think the Suez Canal was on this map?

The Suez Crisis GCSE coursework Source paper

What was the Suez Canal ? The Suez Canal opened to traffic in November 1869 The Suez Canal opened to traffic in November 1869 It was built by Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps using Egyptian forced labour; an estimated 120,000 workers died during construction It was built by Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps using Egyptian forced labour; an estimated 120,000 workers died during construction It stretches 192km (120 miles) between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea It stretches 192km (120 miles) between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea It is 300m (984ft) wide at its narrowest point It is 300m (984ft) wide at its narrowest point

The Suez Canal reduced the sea route to Asia by 6,000 km

Both the Panama and Suez Canals greatly improved world trade.

Why is the canal so important? By 1955 approximately two-thirds of Europe's oil passed through the canal By 1955 approximately two-thirds of Europe's oil passed through the canal The waterway closed 1967 due to the Six Day War, reopened 1975 The waterway closed 1967 due to the Six Day War, reopened 1975 About 7.5% of world sea trade is carried via the canal today About 7.5% of world sea trade is carried via the canal today Receipts from the canal July 2005 to May 2006 totalled $3,246m Receipts from the canal July 2005 to May 2006 totalled $3,246m In 2005, 18,193 vessels passed through the canal In 2005, 18,193 vessels passed through the canal

 Your task Read section one of the handout and answer these questions: Read section one of the handout and answer these questions: 1. How did Prime Minister Anthony Eden view the position of Great Britain in the world? 2. What problems was the British Empire facing in the 1950s?

Section one GB was in Eden’s view still a great imperial nation, an influential figure in world politics GB was in Eden’s view still a great imperial nation, an influential figure in world politics Empire under threat, e.g. Ghana, Nigeria; India already given independence Empire under threat, e.g. Ghana, Nigeria; India already given independence Anthony Eden

 Your task Read section two of the handout and answer these questions: Read section two of the handout and answer these questions: 3. Why was Eden suspicious of the new Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser? 3. Why was Eden suspicious of the new Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser? 4. Why was the canal important to Britain? 4. Why was the canal important to Britain?

Section two Section two Eden suspected Nasser would be the Mussolini of the Middle East Nasser was a nationalist – implications for imperialists like GB Canal was of limited strategic importance but of growing economic significance Mussolini, Italian dictator in early twentieth century President Nasser

 Your task Read section three of the handout and answer these questions: Read section three of the handout and answer these questions: 5. Who else apart from the British were involved in the crisis and why? 6. What was Eden’s plan? 7. What was the flaw with his plan? 8. How did the Americans react when they heard the news?

Section three France- had built Suez, but also Egypt had sponsored Algerian rebels France- had built Suez, but also Egypt had sponsored Algerian rebels Israel – wanted to retaliate for attacks by Palestinians supported by Egypt Israel – wanted to retaliate for attacks by Palestinians supported by Egypt US not informed of plan, refused its support US not informed of plan, refused its support The military plan

 Your task Read section 4 and answer the following questions: Read section 4 and answer the following questions: 9. List the effects of Suez on British foreign policy for Britain. 9. List the effects of Suez on British foreign policy for Britain.

GB lost sight of Cold War tensions in Europe – Hungarian Uprising GB lost sight of Cold War tensions in Europe – Hungarian Uprising Confirmed GB had lost its global prominence Confirmed GB had lost its global prominence GB moved closer to US, France to Europe in foreign policy planning GB moved closer to US, France to Europe in foreign policy planning Eden resignedMacmillan new PM