The Suez Crisis Quick Quiz

During the Suez Crisis, which occurred in 1956, the Egyptian President was Gamal Abdel Nasser. He played a significant role in the crisis by nationalizing the Suez Canal, which led to a military intervention by Britain, France, and Israel. Nasser's decision to take control of the canal was seen as a challenge to Western powers and marked a turning point in the decolonization process in the Middle East. His leadership and actions during this crisis solidified his position as a prominent figure in Egyptian and Arab history.

Nasser is the correct answer because although Egypt suffered a military defeat, their leader gained prestige and became a hero and leader of the Arab world for standing up to France and the UK. This suggests that Nasser was the leader who stood up to the 'Great Powers' and gained popularity and respect for his actions.

The Suez Crisis occurred in 1956. It was a conflict between Egypt and a coalition of the United Kingdom, France, and Israel. Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, which was previously owned by British and French interests. In response, the UK, France, and Israel launched a military intervention to regain control of the canal. However, international pressure and the threat of Soviet intervention forced the coalition to withdraw. The Suez Crisis marked a significant shift in global power dynamics and highlighted the declining influence of colonial powers.

In July 1956, Nasser announced that Egypt would "nationalise" the Suez canal in order to help fund the Aswan dam project, as the USA and UK had withdrawn their help. "Nationalise" and "nationalize" are alternative spellings of the same word, meaning to bring under state ownership or control.

The USA and UK refused to continue helping Egypt fund the Aswan dam project because they were unhappy with Nasser's acceptance of USSR military equipment through Czechoslovakia. This decision was likely influenced by the Cold War tensions between the USA and USSR, as well as concerns about the growing influence of the Soviet Union in the region.

Israel, France, and the UK formed a secret alliance to attack Egypt. This decision was made as a response to Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal, the fedayeen attacks in the Gaza Strip, and the blocking of the Straits of Tiran. These three nations joined forces to take military action against Egypt in order to regain control over the Suez Canal and protect their interests in the region.

As a result of the Suez war, Egypt became firmly allied with the USSR. This alliance was formed due to several factors, including the Soviet Union's support for Egypt in the conflict against the Western powers (UK, France, and Israel) during the Suez Crisis. The USSR provided military aid, political support, and economic assistance to Egypt, which solidified their alliance. This alignment with the USSR allowed Egypt to counterbalance the influence of the Western powers in the region and pursue a more independent foreign policy.

The correct answer is USA. The question states that a country was outraged by the involvement of France, the UK, and Israel and demanded a ceasefire and withdrawal. Among the given options, the USA is known for its involvement in international conflicts and its position as a global superpower. It is plausible that the USA would be outraged by the involvement of these countries and demand a ceasefire and withdrawal.

The correct answer is Aswan. Aswan is the name of the dam that Egypt wished to build to control the Nile River and develop its economy. The Aswan Dam, also known as the High Dam, is a major infrastructure project in Egypt that was completed in 1970. It plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Nile River, providing irrigation water, and generating hydroelectric power for the country.

During the Suez Crisis in 1956, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) threatened to intervene on the side of Egypt if the situation was not resolved quickly. This was because the USSR supported Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal, which had been controlled by British and French interests. The USSR saw this as an opportunity to challenge the influence of Western powers in the region and assert its own influence. Therefore, the USSR's threat to intervene was a geopolitical move to protect its interests and oppose the actions of the UK, France, and the USA.

The United Nations (UN) is the correct answer because it is an international organization that was involved in the peacekeeping efforts in the area surrounding the canal for the next 10 years. The UN deployed a peacekeeping force to maintain peace and stability along the Israeli/Egyptian border, ensuring that conflicts were minimized during that period.

In October 1956, Israeli troops invaded Egypt's Sinai peninsula and started the Suez war. This event marked the beginning of a conflict between Israel, Egypt, and other Arab countries. The invasion was triggered by tensions over control of the Suez Canal, which had been nationalized by Egypt's President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Israel, along with Britain and France, launched a military campaign to regain control of the canal. However, international pressure and diplomatic efforts eventually led to a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Sinai.

The correct answer is the Straits of Tiran. Egypt's blocking of this vital waterway, along with the nationalization of the Suez Canal, had a significant impact on Israel. The closure of the Straits of Tiran effectively blocked Israel's only outlet to the Red Sea, which they had always vowed not to allow. Israel viewed this action as a declaration of war, highlighting the strategic importance of the Straits of Tiran in the region.