What can we learn from Source A about Anthony Eden's reasons for opposing Colonel Nasser?

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Tom Owens

Set 2

Suez Crisis Coursework Assignments

Study source A

What can we learn from Source A about Anthony Eden’s reasons for opposing Colonel Nasser?

Throughout the radio and television broadcast Eden argues a cast iron case against Nasser. Nationalizing the Suez Canal threatens British links abroad and her economy. It is an artery between the motherland and the empire but it is ‘not vital to Egypt.’ Legally, Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal without ‘consent’ or ‘consultation.’ As far as Eden is concerned Nasser has ‘seized it’ and broken international law. Eden feels betrayed and claims Nasser is not a representative of Egypt as ‘our quarrel is not with Egypt, it is with Colonel Nasser.’ Eden is hurt and appalled by Nasser’s treatment towards Britain as he ‘conducted a vicious propaganda campaign against this country.’ Nasser is shown as a demagogue and ‘ not a man who can be trusted.’ Eden compares Nasser to Hitler and the implication is that we let Hitler get away with it, let us stop Nasser before he can thrive and do the same. This is negative propaganda and shows us Eden really believes Nasser is a new Hitler and      ‘ we all remember what the cost was of giving in to Hitler.’

(183 words)  

Study sources B and C

How useful are these two sources as evidence of Egyptian public opinion during the Suez Crisis?

The fact that source B is a photograph means that it cannot be truly reliable. Nasser appears to be the hero of the people, but it only shows a relatively small number of people and so it could be staged. We do not know who took the photograph or for what purpose. But the focus of attention is on Nasser, which surely gives the impression that Nasser is being hailed as a liberator. The people in the photograph show jubilation, mass approbation and adulation. It shows Nasser standing up for Egypt and thus it is unsurprising that the people are behind him.

In source C the cartoon is satirical and a political point is made through humour. The purpose of the cartoon is to first poke fun at the British and secondly to encourage the Egyptians. It is useful propaganda as it shows us what the propagandist thinks. The Egyptian is looking confident as he thinks what Egypt have done is right and they will be successful. By trying to denationalise the canal, the British and French will do more harm to themselves than they will do to Egypt. The stereotypical image of the upper class Briton is shown to be panicking as the Egyptian is showing him the sole of his shoe, which is the ultimate insult in Egypt. As the cartoon was drawn before the British and French attacked it is said to be prophetic as what is conveyed in the picture becomes true. Source C shows us the same confidence that we observe in Source B. In both sources, Nasser and his people are confident that what they are doing is right and thus they will be rewarded by being successful.

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In conclusion both sources are useful to see the attitudes of the Egyptian people. Neither state useful facts but Source C gives us an incite to the eventual outcome.  

(313 words)

Study sources D, E and F.

Did public opinion in Britain support Eden's decision to take 'military action against Egypt?' Explain your answer using the sources and your own knowledge.

It is important that the Mirror, a left wing newspaper, supports the government in power, as it is a very influential paper that many working class people read. The extract is written in a ...

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