Source D is an extract taken from the Daily Mirror in July 1956. This source is strongly in favour of war claiming the similarities between Nasser and Hitler saying that if war was to be fought Nasser would end up dismayed and dismantled in his beloved country. It claims Nasser has used crude and dangerous methods to ensure himself being known as a “Big Shot”. The Daily Mirror, being a tabloid paper, would be read by many from different classes and backgrounds. This suggests the view of following Eden would be well advertised. However, I believe that if people went in search of a good intelligent opinion over whether or not military action is needed, they would refer to a broadsheet paper such as the Independent or Telegraph. This source is limited because of our lack of knowledge of the paper’s readership and, more importantly, who agrees with the statement.
Source F is closely linked with source D and clearly answers the question certainly in two cases whether or not people agree with what the Mirror is publishing. . Source F shows two letters written by the Daily Mirror’s readers in August 1956. Both letters disagree with the Daily Mirror’s views on the Suez Canal situation. This immediately suggests that the Mirror’s readers disagree with the paper and the Mirror has failed to influence them into thinking otherwise. However, we are unaware if these are representatives of all Mirror readers. The first letter claims that there is no proof to suggest that Nasser will close the Suez Canal to British shipping. This is a very good point that may have swayed people against war. Many people at the time of the Suez Crisis were not fond of fighting alongside Israel due to the British public’s deep distrust of the Israelis. Also, it was believed that if pushed, Nasser and Egypt could fall into the clutches of Khruschev and the Soviet Union. People feared the possibility of World War Three and wanted to maintain peace throughout the world. There are many limitations to source E. One of these is the fact that we are unaware of the overall support for two readers and the views they possess. The two readers disagree with Eden but what about the millions of Britons who make up public opinion in Britain, what are their views? It is impossible to draw conclusions from the evidence presented in this source.
At this time there were many demonstrations in favour of, and against war in Egypt. Source E shows one such anti-war demonstration taking place in London at the time of the Suez Crisis. There were many reasons for people to be against military action. Many people were simply fed up with war, having had to endure the First and Second World Wars, and more recently the Korean War. Accordingly people would shudder at the prospect of yet another war. However, many people believed in the importance of maintaining the image of the almighty British Empire. People thought that if the Canal was to fall to a lowly third world leader the decline of the great might of the once powerful British Empire would be clear for all to see. This in turn would prompt other British colonies throughout the world to rebel and seek their freedom. People believed that if the Canal were to fall it would start a chain reaction, which would bring about the end of the British Empire. Many of the people strongly in favour of keeping the Canal in British occupation were businessmen. These businessmen relied on the trade from the Far East to keep their businesses afloat so therefore many high influential people were in favour of war. Source E only shows a small part of the street. There could very easily be other demonstrations in favour of war elsewhere in the street. The photo only shows a very small minority of approximately thirty people. This is nothing compared to the millions inhabiting Britain at the time. The source is also limited because we are unaware of the impact the photo had, whether it influenced people against war or not.
Charlie Edge GCSE History Coursework Ryle
The Suez Crisis 1956
Question 3 Continued
I conclude by saying that Britain was divided over the war in Egypt. Even the Prime Minister’s Cabinet was divided and many of Eden’s representatives disagreed with him over the Suez Crisis.