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MAINS 2014
GS1
10 marks

What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power?

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7 min
150 words
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What the examiner wants

Trace the events leading to the 1956 Suez Crisis and show how it ended Britain's great-power self-image.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Events: Nasser's rise, Egypt's arms deal with Czechoslovakia, US/UK withdrew Aswan Dam funding, Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal Company (26 July 1956)≈30 words
  2. 2War: secret Protocol of Sevres; Israel invaded Sinai (29 October), Anglo-French landings at Port Said≈30 words
  3. 3Final blow: US (Eisenhower) opposed, financial pressure on sterling, Soviet threats, UN ceasefire and first UN peacekeeping force (UNEF); humiliating withdrawal≈30 words
  4. 4Outcome: Eden resigned (January 1957); Britain accepted junior status to the US; acceleration of decolonisation≈30 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

BackgroundTrigger eventsMilitary actionInternational responseImpact on BritainConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Covering only events and not the 'self-image' part
  • Missing the US financial pressure, the real reason Britain backed down

Draw this

  • Map of Egypt marking Suez Canal, Port Said, Sinai

Value addition

  • ExampleThe UN General Assembly, under the Uniting for Peace procedure, created UNEF I, the first armed UN peacekeeping force.United Nations, 1956
  • ExampleIndia under Nehru condemned the Anglo-French invasion and contributed troops to UNEF.Indian foreign policy, 1956

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